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Fixing the wiring on a cheap-o TT

Mr. Labcoat

Mr. Labcoat

New Member
Probably going to purchase a $10 turntable I saw at the thrift store. No name or markings of any kind on the outside, but it looks a lot like a BSR mini McDonald. Wasn't able to hook it to anything, but I listened to a record on it (unamplified) and it seemed to work o.k. for what it is.

It has two gray wires coming out of the back, which I assume is the left and right output. The ends of the wires have been cut, so there's no connectors, just bare wire at the ends. Can I just cut the ends off an RCA cable and splice them on?
 
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NoTransistors said:
Soldering on new ends or entire new cables is the best way to do this repair.
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Understood.
Unfortunately, I don't know how to solder, or where to buy new ends or cables (I live in the backwaters). In the meantime, would a good short term solution be to just cut the ends off an RCA cable and splice them on?
 
I like these cut to length and soldered on.

http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/036910-Mogami-MWR06

An inexpensive but less attractive option would be these, with one RCA zipped off and the ends relabeled

http://www.parts-express.com/ar-ap0...ft-supports-720p-and-1080p-hd-signal--189-253

(they used to have a 6 footer for about $4 but they must have sold out of them. They still have the 3' for even less, and that is what I'm using for most of my stereo interconnects. The Mogamis I use for turntables because they are physically smaller and easier to pass under plinths with low feet, through small original strain reliefs, etc.)

I'm not sure how you would splice patch cords without soldering anyway, and especially if you are trying to keep the shield completely intact to reject interference (I have in fact had issues with same...)

maybe you'll get lucky and find RCA jacks hidden underneath the table and can just use a regular good quality patch cord? A lot of older Duals had them...
 
Take the bottom off and look inside. Many BSRs, and other changers, had RCA jacks underneath and cables simply unplug. If this is so you won't have to do any soldering or splicing. Just unplug the old, plug in the new.
 
tubewade said:
Take the bottom off and look inside. Many BSRs, and other changers, had RCA jacks underneath and cables simply unplug. If this is so you won't have to do any soldering or splicing. Just unplug the old, plug in the new.
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That would be ideal. I'll check that out after I pick up the unit later this week. They are offering a money back guarantee, so I was wanting to quickly check and see if it will output a signal. (it's only $10 though, so no big loss).
 
if you had a pair of strippers and some cheapo alligator clip test leads (Harbor Freight) that would quickly verify if it makes noise. Probably wouldn't sound *good* but still.
 
UPDATE:
I purchased the TT today.
I cut the ends off an RCA cable and spliced them on, but at the time I didn't know about keeping the two groups of wires separate, so I just twisted them all up together.
I was able to sort of make it work, but only if I didn't insert the plugs fully into the receiver... I had to put them in about halfway. And the sound wasn't great, sort of scratchy and trebly.
Also, there was a bad hum that came and went whenever I touched the turntable.

Is that what happens when don't keep the inner and outer wires separate?

(I've since read and watched some youtube how-to videos on splicing and shielding, so tomorrow I'm going to buy some electrical tape and see if I can fix them up a little better.)
 
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UPDATE:
I went back yesterday and spliced them correctly.
Now it sounds better, and I'm able to put the plugs all the way in. The hum is gone also.

However, one channel sounds really bad..low volume, distorted, etc. It does sound a little better when the receivers Mono/Stereo switch is set to Mono.

My friend is going to bring his multi-meter and alligator clips to look at it and see if he can isolate the problem.

When I opened it up, I discovered that it's a BSR A-28
 
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Does this TT have a muting switch? If so I'd try some Deoxit on that first. Also if it has a removeable headshell those contacts need some love as well as the connectors between the headshell/tonearm wiring and the cartridge itself. Any/all of the above if they are not pristine and clean can cause poor/no signal.
 
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