Originally Posted by
Made in 1968
Vintage gear can be a nightmare. I can't stress enough to people they must perform a full in depth service when they buy them, much easier to keep them tip top than problems occur in the long run leaving you with major headache. Cos they will go on forever if you do keep on top of them.
As for your ITT Cassette Deck, i don't know it but i used a '8020' for awhile.. Ive just finishing restoring a mid 70's CEC made JVC turntable that needed quite a bit of Work on it.
Auto switch off switch inside was Knackered..
Had to fit a cap across the switch to stop the contacts clicking when switching
New Belt. Replaced the Platter with a Pioneer 'PL12D' platter which are better quality
Rewired the Arm, New arm interconnect, New head shell Tags.
New Plinth with IEC inlet that the original did not have
Removed the suspension springs from the top plate & fitted Rubber isolators instead, those springs are useless & cause problems never mind levelling the deck
Serviced the motor, New Rubber motor mounts. New driver cap
General de-grease re-grease of all mechanical parts, Bearing service
That is about it. Will last forever now.
True - I'm a known massive fan and advocate of vintage gear because some of it is superb in my experience, even special, in some cases the likes of which wont be seen or made with as much attention to build and detail again.
BUT, as you've pointed out Andre, you are taking a risk if you don't know or have access to a competent tech, or are at least skilled and knowledgeable enough, in that regard, to know what to do your self - service etc.
Benefit is obviously, reliability, (you dont want a large 'exotic' doorstop), you'll hear it as it should be and experience what makes said vintage item so special and regarded, as well as have that sonic pleasure and joy of ownership, for a long time
My System:
Amplification - Sansui AU-alpha 707 DR
Turntable - Technics SP10 MK2-Technics EPA-250 Tonearm-Yannis Tome 423.5Plus tonearm cable-Eichmann KLEI Absolute Harmony plugs.
Ortofon Cadenza Black moving coil cartridge-Fritz Gyger S re-tip. Panzerholz plinth.
CDP - Pioneer PD-91
Speakers - Spendor D7 on Soundcare SuperSpikes
QED Silver Spiral speaker cable-airloc banana plugs
Mains - Ultra Pure silver plated un-switched socket-Missing link EPS 500 silver plated plugs-Hi-Fi Tuning gold plated silver ceramic 13 amp fuses