Making my UK AR Turntable work in Canada

[Bexiesbruv]

Hello there,
We moved from the UK in 2000.
I took my AR The Turntable to an electronics repair Guy and he could not figure out how to convert it.
I have a 110-220 converter that I used for a bunch of other stuff we brought from the UK but it always causes the TT to run fast, and get faster as it runs.
Is it the motor or pulleys or both/neither, and I need to do something else.
I have the opportunity to buy a Dual 1214 or a Dual 1219 for about a $100 for either. Should I just go that route and forget about my AR? I would like the AR working again but is it worth it?
Thanks in advance

Bex

[Alec124c41]

The motor runs in sync with the mains frequency. In Europe, this is 50 cycles per second, and many motors run at 250 RPM. In North America, we use 60 Hz, and the same motors run at 300 RPM.
There is a different size of motor pulley for each.
(BTW I have an extra Dual 701.)

Cheers,
Alec

[Bexiesbruv]

So, because I have a converter do I need to get a different pulley and that fixes the issue or is it more complicated than this?

Bex

[gkimeng]

You need a 60Hz pulley. These are easy to find and are not very expensive.

The service sheet for the older XA model had rewiring instructions to change motor voltage without the need for a converter, but I don't know if they are applicable to the later models. However, the US spec motors tended to be quieter than the UK ones, so if you did a motor change you could consider it an upgrade.

[Bexiesbruv]

Thanks!
It would be really nice to find that conversion schematic/instruction. I did see a thread with some photos, the links for which are now gone. It was from (I think) 2005 or 2007. Is there current info that you can point me to?
I also have an email into vinyl nirvana for the pulley.

Bex

[gkimeng]

It's on the Vinyl Nirvana site. Just remember it is not specifically for your model and nobody has ever tried it on one.

[Bexiesbruv]

So, I thought I had better get my TT out of the cupboard its been sitting in for some time (about 10 years) and take a look at what was actually done to it when it was in the shop. It was converted, it now has a north American plug on it. Should I open it up and post pics? If nobody did it before it might be of help I suppose. I plugged it in and the TT turns. The Guy that did the mod tried to fabricate a pulley and glue it to the existing pulley set up, then taped the platter to try and hone in on the correct speed, which did not work. He trashed the stylus, which is an Ortofon 510, is that a decent enough replacement nowadays? The TT has a Linn Basic LVX tonearm the retaining clip for which is also broken. I guess I should have checked it when I got it back. I was too disappointed, I remember that at least. AND he charged me for it as well. Can you also tell me the size of pulley I need to get. I think I might know someone that can turn me one if I give him the existing one as a template with the new dimensions, failing that I will buy one.
Thanks again for the help so far, I really appreciate it and I am now eager to listen to some of the vinyl I have not heard for 12 years or more.

Bex

[Bexiesbruv]

OH, I couldn't find the specific article on the Nirvana site.

[rkay5]

You can get a Mose/Hercules power supply and leave the pulley motor stock and have push button speed change and better SQ.

[Bexiesbruv]

Not really sure how that solves my problem. I have power, albeit internal by way of the motor which runs at 300rpm and whatever the hz are for North America, 50 or 60. If I have a separate power supply switchable from 33 1/3 and 45 I still need to transfer that to the platter don't I? I went to the web site for the product but it has very limited information. I think I need some more info on how this would work for me.

Bex

[Alec124c41]

The upgrade pulley here
http://www.vinylnirvana.com/ar-replacem ... ade-parts/
Will be cheaper than buying a Hercules power supply by a long shot.

Cheers,
Alec

[Bexiesbruv]

Thanks Alec,
I just looked up the Hercules on Ebay and now understand it.
I also just located and bought the pulley for $10.00 in Montreal and made a friend of the seller in the process! I also got a couple of belts and spare motor from the same person. Gotta love Kijiji.

Bex

[Alec124c41]

Thanks Alec,
I just looked up the Hercules on Ebay and now understand it.
I also just located and bought the pulley for $10.00 in Montreal and made a friend of the seller in the process! I also got a couple of belts and spare motor from the same person. Gotta love Kijiji.

Bex

I'm right with you there!
Sounds like you will be set to listen to a lot of music.

Cheers,
Alec

[Bexiesbruv]

As a foot note to the thread, I got the pulley yesterday. It fitted perfectly and my old belt still works for the new pulley, although I will try the new ones I received.
I tweaked the tone arm set up a little and had an evening of listening to my vinyl. First time in about 15 years.
Still smiling this morning and, as I type this, I keep looking at my player and the grin gets bigger.
I also cleaned up the plinth with Scotts and Lord Sheraton Liquid Gold and the lid with Headlight lens restorer and LCD screen cleaner (to polish the lid)
Now the whole thing looks like new.
Very Happy.