AccuphaseT-101

[Ali Tait]

I've just acquired one of these beauties,and knowing not much at all about these classic tuners,what's the best way to connect an aerial? There is a threaded 300 ohm connector,and two screws at 75 ohm.I have a wall coax socket that connects to the old tv aerial,so I was intending to use that to start with.What's the best way to go?

[DSJR]

Just stick a bit of wet string on one of the terminals. That should do it.......

This was the reference standard of the mid seventies and Angus MacKenzie could never make up his mind of this or the Yamaha CT7000 was the best at the time.

I loved the Accuphase. here's to more good years of FM..

[Spectral Morn]

I've just acquired one of these beauties,and knowing not much at all about these classic tuners,what's the best way to connect an aerial? There is a threaded 300 ohm connector,and two screws at 75 ohm.I have a wall coax socket that connects to the old tv aerial,so I was intending to use that to start with.What's the best way to go?

You are a very blessed man indeed....I am a bit green.

Best way to use it is to hook the end of the coper central core cable and have enough screen to connect to the ground part of the 75ohm aerial. However I would try a 300ohm cable too as some of the earlier tuners work a bit better with that type of aerial. Chris (The Grand Wazoo) is your man for Accuphase.

Some day I would like to get one of these...Ali if you ever grow tired of it I am your man...okay.


Was it the damaged/faulty one that sold on E-Bay recently...sold once then relisted...went for £44 ish ?


Regards D S D L

[Mike Reed]

I've just acquired one of these beauties,and knowing not much at all about these classic tuners,what's the best way to connect an aerial? There is a threaded 300 ohm connector,and two screws at 75 ohm.I have a wall coax socket that connects to the old tv aerial,so I was intending to use that to start with.What's the best way to go?

Presumably you have a 75 ohm coax feed from a separate (preferably outside) aerial. Odd about the 75 ohm terminals, as opposed to the standard coax socket on the back of most tuners.

However, although I haven't had an Accuphase, I have had Pioneer and other Japanese tuners of that period, which didn't have the normal socket.

Simply attach your coax cable screening to one terminal and the solid core signal to t'other. Shouln't matter which way round. NOt sure what you mean by TV socket, though. UHF (TV) and VHF (FM) are not really compatible.

Possibly it will work adequately with an indoor lash-up, but not even sensitive tuners will give of their best under these conditions unless you live in the shadow of a transmiiter !

[hifi_dave]

As above, you connect to the 75 ohm terminals.

For best results you need to ditch the old TV aerial as it's completely the wrong shape, size and (probably) pointing in the wrong direction. The Accuphase is sufficiently sensitive to work with the TV aerial but it won't give of it's best...:doh:

[The Grand Wazoo]

Ali,
You lucky, lucky person you!
Great choice.
I use the screw connector terminal. It needs an 'F' connector. You won't need a huge array in most situations & your TV aerial will be a reasonable way to get you going -I did that for years with other tuners before I had my own place. On the roof of our old house, I only needed a 4 element aerial which gave me full deflection on the signal strength meter. We're having an aerial fitted in this place next week & the installer is bringing several for me to try before I decide.

You'll love the tuner it's a great piece of gear - take a look under the lid!

[The Grand Wazoo]

Ali,
The Accuphase website ( http://www.accuphase.com/ )has downloads of historical info of all their models but the info on the T101 is here: http://www.accuphase.com/cat/e-202en.pdf

If you need an owners manual & service manual, I think I have both, so I can scan them if you need me to. Just let me know!

Cheers

[Ali Tait]

Thanks for the replies gents.Chris,yes please,I'd love a copy of the instructions.Very kind of you,thank you.Chaps,I'm aware that using the old tv aerial is not ideal,but given it's picking up loads of stations with no aerial at all (not in stereo though) I think the it will be quite adequate for now.If I am getting full strength from the tv aerial,is there any mileage in getting a proper aerial from a SQ point of view?
I bought the tuner from a member on here,who offered it to me ages ago,and I've just taken him up on it.It's in excellent condition.I love the light show!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Sorry to hijack a bit... Does anyone remember that sony st-70 tuner I bought for £1.24? Very pleased with it at the time...
Anyway I have stoped using it as over time the output has got more and more interferance to the point that it's unlistenable!
First question: can anyone explain why this might happen?
Second question: is it ok to split a tv ariel and send one to radio and one to tv... I know it's not ideal, but I haven't even thought of it before Reading this thread.

[hifi_dave]

Your problem might be components going 'off' over time or atmospherics as you don't appear to have a decent aerial.

As for splitting your TV aerial feed - the TV aerial is the wrong shape, wrong size and (probably) facing the wrong direction. Then splitting the feed will reduce the signal quite a bit and add reflections. It might be better than a bit of wire but is not the way to go for a decent signal.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

i thought that would be the case
is it likely to effect the tv signal?

i know i could just try it out but it will involve quite a bit of fiddleing and if its unlikely to work then i probably wont bother even trying

[Mike Reed]

HAMISH,

As Dave has said, with the added question of how on Earth do you know what situation your tuner is in if you don't load it with enough signal for full stereo output?

Forget TV (aerials, downleads and wall sockets). An 'up and running' measure it might be, but either you want to LISTEN to radio or not.

We people with Naim tuners (well, the early ones, at least) HAVE to get a good outside (and high) aerial fitted. Other tuners are more sensitive, but 'bits of string' and other compromised solutions really don't do you any favours.

If you're in the wilds of the Highlands or in a similar geographical location, only a Ron Smith Galaxie (23) is likely to avail you of a decent signal. I rather think (without any knowledge) that D.A.B., 'orrible as it seems to be, is similarly affected by topographical problems, if not distance.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

i currently listen to the radio from my digi box plugged into my dac ... *sheilds him self from flying stones*
its not ideal, but it does sufice when there is no better solution! i only really listen to radio 2 and i did get that on the sony for a bit, then one day it was crap!
unfortunately i live in a rented house and am hoping to be out of here soon, the tv ariel idea seemed a good one as a stop gap until i am in my own house and can stick summat big in the loft/on the roof. i do, definatly, without question prefer the sound of the sony st70 than my digi box! and that, being as the sony sounds quite thin at the best of times, says a lot about how crap mydigi box sounds!

[hifi_dave]

I forgot the TV. Yes, splitting the aerial will also affect the TV...:doh:

[Ali Tait]

Ok,have got some coax and hooked it up.Hmm,not brillant,think I'll have to invest in a proper aerial.One question,on R3,while I'm getting almost full strength signal,and it's properly tuned,I'm still getting background hiss.Why?

[Barry]

Ok,have got some coax and hooked it up.Hmm,not brillant,think I'll have to invest in a proper aerial.One question,on R3,while I'm getting almost full strength signal,and it's properly tuned,I'm still getting background hiss.Why?

You might have inadvertently tuned to a sideband. Try retuning.

Regards

[Ali Tait]

I did!nope,still does it.This confuses me.Surely I should not get any hiss with a full signal and properly tuned? :confused:

[Barry]

You've got me there Ali.

I once ran a Leak Troughline tuner off a TV aerial for a few years without problems. I'm curious that you can pick up several stations on your tuner without anything connected to the aerial socket/terminals, yet have this problem of poor signal to noise ratio.

What signal strength is required for full limiting (or quieting)? What sort of TV aerial do you have? Where is your nearest FM transmitter and where is it in relation to the TV transmitter?

It might be an idea to get your Accuphase checked out by an engineer.

Regards

[Mike Reed]

HAMISH,

My commiserations; actually, Radio 2 (unlike Radio 1) is of consistently high quality. I don't do digital things, but your analogy of ST70 v. digi-box sounds dire! (At best!)

ALI,

Hiss on FM radio is, from experience, only caused by insufficient signal strength (happy to be proved wrong!). Therefore I suspect that you s/s meter is a bit optimistic at best. This is not uncommon.

Two things: walk around or move around your 'aerial'. If the hiss/sound fluctuates, it's signal.

Secondly, switch to mono (if you can). If sound/reception improves, it's EITHER: signal or stereo demodulator drifting or whatever.

Try a wire coat-hanger opened out and connect the inner core of the coax to the bent bit (?) (straightened out, preferably). Bit of a long shot, but has worked for me in the past within a reasonable signal area.

[Spectral Morn]

I agree, its a signal strength issue. Is it on all radio stations? Try tuning to radio Scotland as it should have slightly more signal strength than other stations...regional BBC stations always seem to have a bit more.

You could also try the 300ohm input, some tuners do better on this. However I suspect you will need a good outside/loft aerial. When I was given my current aerial by Aquapirahna my tuner performances jumped massively. The omni I was using need a booster on it....not now with the new Yagi based design.

The older the tuners the more issues there are, not just because components can have gone off or the tuner needs realigned, but also broadcast conditions were different back then. You may be picking up interference from the naval base near by...thats another possibility.


Regards D S D L

[Ali Tait]

Mmmm interesting chaps,The reason I posted about the hiss is the fact that the two stations I get with the highest strength signal are R2&3.Both of these hiss,with R3 being worse.The confusing bit is I pick up local stations with less signal strtength,yet no hiss!.I'm currently listening to R2.Signal is 4.5 (5 is max) and still have hiss.The aerial is in the loft.This house is new build,and my girlfriend has just told me that they came round shortly after she moved in and installed a booster,I've just seen it in the cupboard.I've seen an omni-directional aerial at Maplin which I'll get tomorrow and swop over to see what that does.The frustrating thing is I can hear little hints of what this thing is capable of,yet it's not delivering the goods! It certainly makes compression glaringly obvious.

[Spectral Morn]

Mmmm interesting chaps,The reason I posted about the hiss is the fact that the two stations I get with the highest strength signal are R2&3.Both of these hiss,with R3 being worse.The confusing bit is I pick up local stations with less signal strtength,yet no hiss!.I'm currently listening to R2.Signal is 4.5 (5 is max) and still have hiss.The aerial is in the loft.This house is new build,and my girlfriend has just told me that they came round shortly after she moved in and installed a booster,I've just seen it in the cupboard.I've seen an omni-directional aerial at Maplin which I'll get tomorrow and swop over to see what that does.The frustrating thing is I can hear little hints of what this thing is capable of,yet it's not delivering the goods! It certainly makes compression glaringly obvious.

Ah ! who said you would not hear compression effects ? :( Sadly you will (its probably more obvious with a better tuner). Radio 2 and 3 are the best of whats available.

The noise may be coming from the booster. Its possible from what you have said that, you have too much signal and because its from a booster/that and the noise (possible) is what causing the problem. Most tuners imhe when overloaded just go all mushy, soft, phasey and distorted....but noise could be a possible result as well...though I have not had that happen with any of the tuners I have tried.


Regards D S D L

[Ali Tait]

Well I never thought I wouldn't hear the compression,what I meant was that the tuner makes it glaringly obvious! As an aside,in my fiddling I've just changed i/c's from my own diy ptfe silver to an old pair of Chord Company Solid.Wow,what a difference! I'm now hearing why so many people rave about this tuner! I think I'm going to have to get some of these Mark Grant fancy jobbies!

[Spectral Morn]

Well I never thought I wouldn't hear the compression,what I meant was that the tuner makes it glaringly obvious! As an aside,in my fiddling I've just changed i/c's from my own diy ptfe silver to an old pair of Chord Company Solid.Wow,what a difference! I'm now hearing why so many people rave about this tuner! I think I'm going to have to get some of these Mark Grant fancy jobbies!


Thats interesting Ali...a technical mis-match.


Regards D S D L

[Ali Tait]

The i/c's you mean? Yes.perhaps so.The SQ difference was not subtle,though in other situations,my i/c's are very good.In this case though,they were truly pants! Just goes to show,reading about other people's impressions of i/c's is pointless,you need to try for yourself.

[Spectral Morn]

The i/c's you mean? Yes.perhaps so.The SQ difference was not subtle,though in other situations,my i/c's are very good.In this case though,they were truly pants! Just goes to show,reading about other people's impressions of i/c's is pointless,you need to try for yourself.


Yes it was the ICs. Your right of course sometimes the differences heard between ICs are nothing more than a technical mis-match or match between the items they are hooked up between. Other times its the materials or construction.

Glad its sounding better.


Regards D S D L

[Ali Tait]

Well,having listened for a while now,even with the hiss,this is the best source I've ever had in my system.So there!:)

[Spectral Morn]

Yes it was the ICs. Your right of course sometimes the differences heard between ICs are nothing more than a technical mis-match or match between the items they are hooked up between. Other times its the materials or construction.

Glad its sounding better.


Regards D S D L


I wonder how many times a new component is dumped toot suite because of an interconnect mis-match.....me thinks quite often. Patience is its own reward...try a few things, get to know a new item and then if its not working move it on.


Regards D S D L

[Ali Tait]

Indeed,quite often as you say.Also I think the same has happened frequently due to impedace mismatch.

[Themis]

Is "impedance mismatch" the right expression ?

[The Grand Wazoo]

Looks like I must have just been lucky with my TV aerials! Plenty of people told me it couldn't work even after I'd been doing it for ages.

If it sounds that good now, you'll be flying when you get a decent aerial!
I'll sort you out with the manuals as soon as I can dig 'em out. I'll PM you shortly to sort it out.

Start looking, Neil!!!!

[Ali Tait]

Thanks Chris,much appreciated! :)

[Barry]

That reminds me Chris - weren't you going to write a review of your own Accuphase tuner at some time?

Regards

[The Grand Wazoo]

Well..........I was asked to.
It wasn't really practical at the time.

Maybe soon, but I have a feeling Ali might have unbounded enthusiasm to do it before me!
............aaah.........young love.....ain't it sweet?

But really, I've been banging on about these machines for a long time now - they truly are very, very special indeed and can be had for an extremely good price. Until one of the magazines cottons on to the old Accuphase stuff - get 'em while you can!

[Mike Reed]

Mmmm interesting chaps,The reason I posted about the hiss is the fact that the two stations I get with the highest strength signal are R2&3.Both of these hiss,with R3 being worse.The confusing bit is I pick up local stations with less signal strtength,yet no hiss!.I'm currently listening to R2.Signal is 4.5 (5 is max) and still have hiss.The aerial is in the loft.This house is new build,and my girlfriend has just told me that they came round shortly after she moved in and installed a booster,I've just seen it in the cupboard.I've seen an omni-directional aerial at Maplin which I'll get tomorrow and swop over to see what that does.The frustrating thing is I can hear little hints of what this thing is capable of,yet it's not delivering the goods! It certainly makes compression glaringly obvious.

I'm confused. A new-build, with an aerial in the loft to which has been added a booster?

Why would anybody do that for radio? Sounds to me that you're talking about the TV aerial; especially being omin-directional.

Pure guesswork, but this could give the effect of seemingly boosting local strong signals but sidelining national ones. Your i/c 'eureka moment' is another thing altogether, though a wrong'un would exacerbate parts of the frequency spectrum (e.g. hiss)

[Ali Tait]

Mike,I was talking about a tv aerial all along! I don't yet have an FM aerial.The omni-directional I was talking about was one I've seen at Maplin that I'm picking up tomorrow to replace the loft tv one.As for the I/c,the silver sounded very edgy indeed compared to the Chord Company solid.It's often said that silver does not suit solid state.Sounds lovely with valves though in many cases IMHO.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Until one of the magazines cottons on to the old Accuphase stuff - get 'em while you can!


Quick, quick! There's one on Ebay now!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Accuphase-T101-Hi-End-Audio-Tuner_W0QQitemZ320445605039QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_A udioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Tuners?hash=item4a 9c0be4af

[Ali Tait]

Well I've been to Maplin and picked up an aerial.When I got back I decided to trace the coax back from the wall socket to the aerial to make sure it's connected.Discovered that in going through this amplifier hidden in the cupboard,it's either the amplifier does not work,or it's mucking up the signal,as I've pulled out the two leads,one to the wall socket,and the other to the aerial,and connected them directly together,and now I'm getting full strength signal on almost all the stations I can pick up.No hiss either,so I've wasted my money buying the fm aerial.I'll still fit it if I can be bothered to climb into the loft.I'll have a play with it downstairs first,to see if it's any better than the tv one.Still,glad it's now sorted.Thanks for the help gents.:)

[Spectral Morn]

Quick, quick! There's one on Ebay now!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Accuphase-T101-Hi-End-Audio-Tuner_W0QQitemZ320445605039QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_A udioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Tuners?hash=item4a 9c0be4af

Saw it... if its more than a £10 its to much for me....opps its more than a tenner now...:doh::(


Regards D S D L

[Ali Tait]

Anyone looking for a tuner sould consider one of these.They are absolutely superb! I understand all the hype now.In this case,it's justified.

[Darrenw]

told you it was nice!!

glad you like it ali

Darren

[Ali Tait]

I certainly do! Currently trying to sommon the energy to climb into the loft to fit the fm aerial. :)

[DSJR]

i don't mean to cr@p on this, but please remember that this tuner is the best part of thirty five years old now and although Japanes components lasted a lot longer within tolerance than many European electronic products from this period, I wouldn't be surprised if the setup may have drifted a bit by now..

This tuner was one of the two most sensitive models of its time (the CT7000 was the other), but you may still find a properly directional dedicated FM aerial may suppress conflicting signals at similar frequencies (side-band interference?). Lovely :)

[Ali Tait]

All caps have been changed AFAIK.No issues with tuning now and sounds fantastic.

[DSJR]

Hope this is readable below. If not, I'll re-master it...

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q8/DSJR_photos/AccuphaseT101.jpg

[Ali Tait]

Thanks for that Dave,could you possibly email me it please?

[Barry]

Quick, quick! There's one on Ebay now!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Accuphase-T101-Hi-End-Audio-Tuner_W0QQitemZ320445605039QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_A udioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Tuners?hash=item4a 9c0be4af

It went for £270 ! Looks like word has leaked out!

Trust you are getting on well with yours Ali. Are you using a new aerial with it?

Regards

[Ali Tait]

Hi Barry,
Yes,I'm loving it! I find it addictive,when I sit down to listen,I can't turn it off.I sorted the aerial,but since I had already bought an FM one from Maplin,I fitted it in place of the tv aerial.The tv aerial was fine,but I get a few more stations with the FM one.It's the omni-directonal one.£12.99.Bargain!

[DSJR]

Thanks for that Dave,could you possibly email me it please?

I'm so sorry, I missed this..

Please PM your email address and I'll tweak the original file a bit and send it along...

[Ali Tait]

Done!

Thanks Dave.