Mission 774 OG & Toshiba SR-370

[Bigman80]

Hi

I recently bought the Toshiba SR370 on eBay.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160130/87580af25bd0068cdfe4e53c65cfbb50.jpg

As usual, the turntable didn't survive the journey in one piece.

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So first bit of business was to contact the seller to get the insurance details. Shock horror !!! He hadn't insured it !!!!

To give him some credit he refunded me the £100 I paid for it. I have sent him the P&P and a beer for his attitude.

So first port of call was replacement feet.

Bought these to stack and place a long bolt through them to make them the correct height. I couldn't find anything similar. The originals are rubber and Spring encased in in plastic.


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160130/49bcae9e9632f5f00a21d8d81f453cd5.jpg


So with that done and ordered on to the next part.

Tonearm.

After much deliberation, I was nudged (thanks Walpurgis) towards a mission 774. To my delight I found one not to far from me with a spare wand for £240

It needed a repair

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I made up some Klotz MC5000 and rean plugs and got it soldered on.

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Then I routed the cable with some hi-tech sellotape lol

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Next I attached the base plate to the turntable

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Discovered that the turntable had different size threaded holes which means I am having to wait on a couple of bolts to fit. Hence only two visible in the pic

With the arm now assembled

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160130/487e76499e1dab33493b4dfb64af4136.jpg

I picked up a cheap cartridge off eBay as my Goldring wouldn't attach with the captive threads.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160130/e8b9a24fbf14c9b6eb395b388d550ee8.jpg

A Shure M75EJ with NOS stylus.

Attaching the cartridge and disaster

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Switched to spare arm/wand and fitted that. Unfortunately it's in need of a rewire and new cartridge clips

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160130/ec2e2236dff8e944a464808aeaf46f79.jpg

So had a play of the new arm and table combo.

Awful. It's buzzing it's tits off. I presumed it was down to the wand needing rewire but I accidentally touched the side of the platter and it crackled in the speakers. So I had a poke around and everything I touched that was made of metal crackled.

Now I'm stuck.

I've bought some bits to rewire the arm but I think I may have an earth issue somewhere.

Any ideas are greatly received.

[Bigman80]

No earth on the spare wand or maybe the cartridge.

More probing needed.

[dowser]

These are quite easy to re-wire - see PFM for a rebuild I did of one a few years back.

For the buzzing check everything is earthed - the arm itself has the earth pin behind the headshell label, and joins into one of the cartridge returns. But you also need to check how the rest of the turntable is earthed, and potentially join them together.

[Firebottle]

Another visit to Firebottle Towers?

Shout if you need ;)

[Bigman80]

This one dowser ? - http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=109346

Have to say Alan, I'm Sh*tting it lol, that little 4 pin connector is causing me sleepless nights haha. I will do the rewire, ive bought this -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/99-99-silver-tonearm-wire-internal-turntable-rewire-0-2mm-silk-covered-1m-WHITE-/111881477493?hash=item1a0ca7dd75:g:HGYAAOSwrmdTrXf L

and Ive found a replacement Pin part on eBay so if i wreck the original i may seek help !!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CONNECTOR-KIT-for-MISSION-774-HADCOCK-WITH-NEW-GOLD-PLATED-CONNECTORS-/401057131185?hash=item5d60de2ab1:m:mkyAPW-8z88U0_ic_HULhog

It may need a professional, such as yourself to bail me out if i make a mess of it so i may be in touch !!!!!! I can imagine the wire is very delicate !!!







These are quite easy to re-wire - see PFM for a rebuild I did of one a few years back.

For the buzzing check everything is earthed - the arm itself has the earth pin behind the headshell label, and joins into one of the cartridge returns. But you also need to check how the rest of the turntable is earthed, and potentially join them together.


Another visit to Firebottle Towers?

Shout if you need ;)

[Bigman80]

I put the original wand on the table and connected red + green together then white, yellow and black together. the hum/buzzing dissapeared instantly. Ive checked all the other earths i can find and they seem fine. I'm convinced the spare wand isnt earthed. There ar only 4 wires and the original wand has 5 so Im going to pop the sticker off and have a look inside when i can. Any tips on how to do this without breaking the sticker ?

[dowser]

Yes - that's the one. I used a small flat blade jewellers screwdriver to remove the sticker. And I only braided outside the armtube. Originally a yellow earth wire connects from pin under sticker to one of the channel earths in red connector from memory. I used a metal vice as a heat sink when soldering red connector - biggest risk is melting plastic housing.

[Bigman80]

thats what i thought. I was considering using play-doh sound mad but it removed heat very well.

[Bigman80]

Yes - that's the one. I used a small flat blade jewellers screwdriver to remove the sticker. And I only braided outside the armtube. Originally a yellow earth wire connects from pin under sticker to one of the channel earths in red connector from memory. I used a metal vice as a heat sink when soldering red connector - biggest risk is melting plastic housing.

Also, does the clip come apart ??

[walpurgis]

Also, does the clip come apart ??

If you mean the red plastic plug & socket they unclip apart for soldering. As has been mentioned. Use the minimum of heat. I used a very fine tipped small soldering iron doing mine. I'd avoid using silver solder here, it requires higher temperatures.

[Bigman80]

I might ask Alan to do it lol

[Bigman80]

I have asked Alan. I've just soldered a spare tag on the arm I checked. It buzzes now lol

[walpurgis]

I have asked Alan. I've just soldered a spare tag on the arm I checked. It buzzes now lol

Is the motor earthed separately, does it have a connection to the arm earth, or both?

(sorry about the edit on foregoing post -- hit the wrong button)

[Bigman80]

Is the motor earthed separately, does it have a connection to the arm earth, or both?

(sorry about the edit on foregoing post -- hit the wrong button)

I am not 100%. I'll have to have a look !!

No connection to the arm earth other than the one that's supposed to be there . When I connected right + & - together and left + & - together it was silent. Even with the motor running. Shouldn't that indicate proper earthing.

[Bigman80]

Ok, so I've just disconnected the cartridge and connect L+&- together and R +&- together and it's silent again. Reconnect the cartridge and it's buzzing again. Could it be the cartridge ??

[walpurgis]

Have you got a meter? It might be handy to check continuities and exactly what is earthed to what or through what. If needed, a cheap one is about a fiver. Try Maplins if there's a branch near you.

It's unlikely to be the cartridge, unless the body is touching something it shouldn't. The metal cartridge body should be earthed via a small tag that is over one of the rear pins if I recall.

[Bigman80]

There is one there. I've swapped the negatives over so the arms earth is connected to the tag but still buzzing.

[Bigman80]

I do have a meter but no idea how to use it to check for earth faults !

[walpurgis]

I do have a meter but no idea how to use it to check for earth faults !

If you have the meter make & model number. Google for the manual. If not there are plenty of meter use tutorials on there.

[Bigman80]

Ok I'm on it.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160131/889db0b6083eca5b40200022464643af.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160131/3be6961d8acc4bfc6d1f086119ba87ba.jpg

I took the sticker off expecting to find a brass rod ? Just a wire. Is this right ?

[walpurgis]

I took the sticker off expecting to find a brass rod ? Just a wire. Is this right ?

Presumably. Looks like the earth is clamped between the head and tube.

[Bigman80]

Looks like it to me too. Looks glued ?

[walpurgis]

Looks like it to me too. Looks glued ?

I suspect the arm is made to be a tight interference fit into the head block and pressed in with an adhesive used as well.

[struth]

if it is then that could compromise the earthing

[Bigman80]

I can't find the other end of it. Doesn't seem to go anywhere !

[walpurgis]

I can't find the other end of it. Doesn't seem to go anywhere !

Pull it through so it hangs out of the front. Solder a thin wire on the end (with a bit of sleeving) to extend it. Feed this back inside and out of the hole on the side and earth it. See if that gets rid of the hum.

[walpurgis]

It's unlikely that the arm tube will earth directly via the rear clamp. It has a thickish enamel (powder coat?) finish that will no doubt act as an insulator.

[Bigman80]

Yep. Tried that and broke two wires. [emoji848]

[Bigman80]

Just found this

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160131/81c2a7c508d3008e9d0c09a66b0bb2a4.jpg

From what I can tell with mine, this is correct. That yellow wire in the arm isn't connected to anything that I can see. There is a separate yellow wire entwined with the black - wire from the cart to 4pin sip. Where it goes after that I don't know. I know the wiring diagram says to connect the external cable earth to the fixing plug so where would the internal yellow cable run to ?? I'm absolutely lost.

I'm going to have to take a trip to Firebottle towers I think.

[Bigman80]

Off to see Alan (firebottle) with it on Wednesday, hes a genius so im pretty sure he'll unmask the hidden nasty

[walpurgis]

Off to see Alan (firebottle) with it on Wednesday, hes a genius so im pretty sure he'll unmask the hidden nasty

Good for you mate. I'm sure it'll be 'right as rain' afterwards.

[Bigman80]

hope so, Just picked up two Acutex 410E's NOS id like to try on it

[Bigman80]

Alan (Firebottle) does it again. Needed to connect the shielding in the cable. It would benefit from a ground from head to base so I'll incorporate that when I rewire the spare wand. Wire arrived today. It's microscopic !!! Nervous now !!!!

[Firebottle]

Is that your nervous look in your avatar Oliver :eyebrows:

Yes we seemed to go round the houses a little this morning, I broke a couple of the cart wires stripping a bit more insulation off them so they needed extending, then the test amp wouldn't work because I was pushing the speaker wires too far into the spring terminals :doh:

The TT on the bench after it had been fettled:

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050303.jpg

Oliver very kindly brought doughnuts with him but I thought best give them a test on the bench also before consumption:

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050304.jpg

Seemed to pass the test and very nice they were.

:lolsign:

[Ali Tait]

Ah, a Taste Quotient of 33.5. Not bad.

[Bigman80]

Is that your nervous look in your avatar Oliver :eyebrows:

Yes we seemed to go round the houses a little this morning, I broke a couple of the cart wires stripping a bit more insulation off them so they needed extending, then the test amp wouldn't work because I was pushing the speaker wires too far into the spring terminals :doh:

The TT on the bench after it had been fettled:

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050303.jpg

Oliver very kindly brought doughnuts with him but I thought best give them a test on the bench also before consumption:

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050304.jpg

Seemed to pass the test and very nice they were.

:lolsign:

Yes the donuts were of high quality indeed.

Round the houses is fine, you got to the bottom of the buzzing and I'm eternally grateful (again).

I'll bring whiskey next time [emoji6]

Back home and sounding glorious

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160203/40587f16fd4be5908940bd12aef60db6.jpg

[Ali Tait]

How are you finding the arm Oliver?

[Bigman80]

It's amazing. I do t have a lot of tonearm history to compare to but it's dancing all over the Rega 202 with Cardas rewire I had. Not completely taken with the Shure M75EJ I've put on as it lacks a bit of detail/clarity in the top end but I have a couple of acutex 410e's on the way which I'm told will provide that clarity I want so I'll update again when they've arrived and run in. So far though this arm is the nuts now it's not buzzing !!!!

[Ali Tait]

Yes, rather good aren't they. Bargain at the price they can be picked up for.

[Bigman80]

Yes, rather good aren't they. Bargain at the price they can be picked up for.

I'm really impressed. I'll just add that the sonyPs-x70 I had was a beast and the arm on that was a lot better than I knew at the time. I'll be on the lookout for one of those to add to my collection now !

[Ali Tait]

Wait till you hear what it can do with a really good cart.

[Bigman80]

Wait till you hear what it can do with a really good cart.

I can't wait mate TBH. Everything sounds solid now and tight. Full of tone and resonance from the instruments.

Been listening to Clapton Unplugged and I urge everyone to buy it lol

[Ali Tait]

LOL yes have that.

[Bigman80]

Wait till you hear what it can do with a really good cart.

I can't wait mate TBH. Everything sounds solid now and tight. Full of tone and resonance from the instruments.

Been listening to Clapton Unplugged and I urge everyone to buy it lol

[walpurgis]

I'm really impressed. I'll just add that the sonyPs-x70 I had was a beast and the arm on that was a lot better than I knew at the time. I'll be on the lookout for one of those to add to my collection now !

You see. I said you might get another! ;)

Glad the 370/774 setup is all OK now. You're only just slightly dipping into the abilities of that combo at the moment. Go buy a £1000 MC and £500 SUT and you'll see what it can do (a Decca would be good too). :D

[Bigman80]

If I had that kind of money lying about id buy a Firebottle air and kin. Heard it again today and it never fails to amaze. Gonna ask Alan to do a budget range for the poor amongst us. Lol

I'll get up the cartridge ladder eventually though. A Decca ? That's dreamland for me !!!! (Price wise)

[Firebottle]

Gonna ask Alan to do a budget range for the poor amongst us.

Now there's a thought. I do a Firebottle Plus phono already at £399 for the MM.

:)

[Bigman80]

That's £398 more than I have lol.

[Bigman80]

New feet are here and on !

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They look ok and are nice and sold. Now to see it they make any difference to performance !

[Bigman80]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160206/e853554c8b411b44c254b7b8e7eb1f76.jpg

Added the STP additive and the change in sound was quite staggering. Everything seems deeper ? Not sure it's "better" but only had a chance to listen to a few tracks. I've seen the sound described as dark and it definitely lost the shimmering highs but I'm not sure that's a bad thing either. I'm thinking somewhere in the middle is the way to go.

Made a right F*cking mess though [emoji35]

Soapy water needed.

[walpurgis]

Those feet look good don't they.

There will always be a change in the sound with the damping. It gives the cantilever suspension something to work against, allowing greater extension at lower frequencies. As opposed to the cartridge relying on the arm head/tube mass (or lack of). You can experiment with thinned fluid or a smaller paddle, or both.

Silicone spillages won't harm the TT or arm paint finish. It just looks messy. Just mop it up with tissue & cotton buds. Don't use anything else.

[Bigman80]

Quite pleased with how the feet turned out. Thanks for your suggestion !!

I'll play with the damping and get it right for my taste. This arm just keeps getting better and better !!!!!

[walpurgis]

This arm just keeps getting better and better !!!!!

Just wait until you get that Decca Export mounted in it! :lol:

[Bigman80]

Just wait until you get that Decca Export mounted in it! :lol:

Need to sell a kidney !!!!

[Bigman80]

No Decca but these just arrived

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160206/acf8f991d92873669a34c89b58e68d62.jpg

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[walpurgis]

They could be interesting. I've not tried Acutex carts (as far as I can recall).

[Bigman80]

Two songs in and it's so clear this cartridge is a keeper.

Was going to sell the other one. Not now.

Think I'll buy another two.

[Bigman80]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160206/32731bf284409c322f93d8003506b59e.jpg

[alanc]

If you mean the red plastic plug & socket they unclip apart for soldering. As has been mentioned. Use the minimum of heat. I used a very fine tipped small soldering iron doing mine. I'd avoid using silver solder here, it requires higher temperatures.
I sent my arm to J7 for a rewire of the wand - now I don't have to worry about any of the little pins breaking off. I also got a new external arm cable off him - well worth it. But I would suggest you check your deck thoroughly for speed accuracy/drift etc. first. The last thing you want to do if to spend time and money sorting out the arm and then discovering the deck is no use. And if that is the case it probably won't be worth fixing. Good luck.

[Bigman80]

I sent my arm to J7 for a rewire of the wand - now I don't have to worry about any of the little pins breaking off. I also got a new external arm cable off him - well worth it. But I would suggest you check your deck thoroughly for speed accuracy/drift etc. first. The last thing you want to do if to spend time and money sorting out the arm and then discovering the deck is no use. And if that is the case it probably won't be worth fixing. Good luck.

Hi Alan,

Yes, speed accuracy and drift were checked for before i bought any arm for it. I set it to play at 45rpm for 1.5 hours at which it displayed no sign of needing adjustment, however at 33.3rpm it needed a very minor tweek after 1.5 hours. Its very solid and although it needs setting when i power on, other than that its rock solid.

the wiring in the spare wand was brittle and poorly done so i needed to rewire it, it's not "perfect" because i braided the wires which has caused a capacitance and also pushes against the tonearm. once ive undone the braid and secured the ground it'll be spot on.....It also only cost me £15 in total

The second wand still has the original Wiring which is very dark sounding so i will use my new experience and do a better job 1st time. It's cost £25 this time.

J7 has a great army of happy customers and im sure you'll be another, but i cant spend £265 on silver wire or £120 for copper so i'll have to D.I.Myself.

Arm will stay with me even if the deck breaks so no danger there either :D

[Bigman80]

Just looked at Decca Cartridges.........needed a sit down after lol

Cant see me ever spending that on a cartridge !!!!



Just wait until you get that Decca Export mounted in it! :lol:

[walpurgis]

Cant see me ever spending that on a cartridge !!!!

Ha Ha! Famous last words mate. I used to say things like that, but I've owned ten Deccas. :)

(and god knows how much I've spent on MCs :rolleyes:)

[Bigman80]

Ha Ha! Famous last words mate. I used to say things like that, but I've owned ten Deccas. :)

(and god knows how much I've spent on MCs :rolleyes:)

you're into holiday money by then and the wife would sacrifice me to the gods if i spent that !!!

[Bigman80]

So, after some extensive purchasing of new bits and pieces, rewiring a tone arm for the first time and a visit to Alan to remove a buzzing issue, learning about damping and installing a NOS cart, i am finally at the stage of enjoying my labour......or am i?. I've been perusing the pics i have posted and noiced a discolouration of the plinth. Any one have any tips on how i can clean it up ? doesnt come off with polish or surface cleaner.

[walpurgis]

I've been perusing the pics i have posted and noiced a discolouration of the plinth. Any one have any tips on how i can clean it up ? doesnt come off with polish or surface cleaner.

A vintage item like this is unlikely to be pristine. Mine has a few marks too. Don't use solvents or anything abrasive, that could cause damage. I'd suggest a bit of washing up liquid in warm water, followed by furniture polish. I'd not be too fussy.

[Bigman80]

yeah, i suppose im being a bit fussy.....it looks "vintage" with a bit of grime on it anyway lol

[Bigman80]

http://youtu.be/gKr6-FLrZ5E

Clip of the TT in action

[walpurgis]

Yup. It's definitely going round! ;)




(looks very good actually ----- as good as mine :))

[Bigman80]

Ha. I'm very pleased with it. Definitely prefer it with a full trough of fluid.

[struth]

Sounds like an mp3 player;)


:D

[struth]

Table is looking good

[walpurgis]

Ha. I'm very pleased with it. Definitely prefer it with a full trough of fluid.

That will vary according to what cartridge is used.

As the Acutex is I believe a medium compliance cart. It may pay to thin the fluid a bit.

[Bigman80]

I could try thinning it but I'm really liking the punchy sound it delivers. I halved the level of fluid earlier and it lost the depth. Maybe thinning a bit is something to try. [emoji106]

[Bigman80]

Sounds like an mp3 player;)


:D

Sounds better than anything I've personally heard. Its ridiculous.