View Full Version : admiral hi-fi curb find


john f
12-15-2017, 09:40 PM
Found this on the curb while at work. Mostly functional as found, cap cans stay nice and cool. One broken wire on the AM antenna, but the FM is way off from the dial. For example, my local classic rock station is 104.3, but it is located around 100 on the dial on this. Chassis is 7N1 tuner and 4S2 amp. Thoughts?

MadMan
12-15-2017, 10:58 PM
Is the AM off as well?

It's a really good looking set.

Electronic M
12-15-2017, 11:02 PM
8 tube tuner, mono with push-pull 6V6 amp, transformer powered, attractive case....Aside from not being stereo, what is there not to like?

Probably needs caps, idler wheel, and pickup cartridge, and FM local oscillator adjustment...Once those are refreshed it should happily go another 60 years.

old_tv_nut
12-15-2017, 11:15 PM
Probably needs ... FM local oscillator adjustment...

Maybe check the dial stringing / pointer location first?

john f
12-16-2017, 08:49 AM
needle is on the money for AM. Dial string was my thought initially until i checked am. Looks like separate tuners to me.

dieseljeep
12-16-2017, 10:45 AM
needle is on the money for AM. Dial string was my thought initially until i checked am. Looks like separate tuners to me.
It uses a German FM tuner unit, like many US firms used at the time. There's one string protruding from the unit that is spring return. Make sure it's around the pulleys provided for it. It's actually a good arrangment! :thmbsp:

old_tv_nut
12-16-2017, 11:40 AM
It uses a German FM tuner unit, like many US firms used at the time. There's one string protruding from the unit that is spring return. Make sure it's around the pulleys provided for it. It's actually a good arrangment! :thmbsp:

Yep, my thought was to look for all sources of mechanical slippage before tuning anything.

Dude111
12-16-2017, 10:43 PM
...One broken wire on the AM antenna, but the FM is way off from the dial. For example, my local classic rock station is 104.3, but it is located around 100 on the dial on this.Wow you can tune way above 107.9 on that then!!


What do you hear when you goto the high end of the band bud? (Might hear some airplanes)


A good find!

dieseljeep
12-17-2017, 11:05 AM
Wow you can tune way above 107.9 on that then!!


What do you hear when you goto the high end of the band bud? (Might hear some airplanes)


A good find!

Looking at top view of the tuner, it looks as though someone has been playing around with the adjustment screws.
Find out which one is the oscillator and try to get it to track properly.

Celt
12-17-2017, 11:19 AM
Agreed....needs to be re-aligned.

dieseljeep
12-17-2017, 11:30 AM
Agreed....needs to be re-aligned.
I worked on one of those before! Just the FM tuner unit needs it, not the IF's.
Information is in Sams 404. About a 1958 model.
I like the old-time 6SN7 1st amp and phase inverter in the amp chassis.

Celt
12-17-2017, 02:25 PM
6SN7 and dual 6V6GT's are a classic combination!

john f
12-17-2017, 08:34 PM
Over 104 or so I haven't heard anything come through, but I'm in the nyc metro area (northern nj) so I wouldn't be surprised to hear airplanes.

Would any of you kind sirs have a scan of the sams?
Would it be possible there is a resistor out of range in the tuner that is causing this issue? The joker messing with the tuner adjustments was me...i found a strong station and did get it to move towards where it was supposed to be, but not enough. I'm thinking if a resistor is too far out i might not have enough adjustment to compensate.

dieseljeep
12-18-2017, 11:06 AM
Over 104 or so I haven't heard anything come through, but I'm in the nyc metro area (northern nj) so I wouldn't be surprised to hear airplanes.

Would any of you kind sirs have a scan of the sams?
Would it be possible there is a resistor out of range in the tuner that is causing this issue? The joker messing with the tuner adjustments was me...i found a strong station and did get it to move towards where it was supposed to be, but not enough. I'm thinking if a resistor is too far out i might not have enough adjustment to compensate.

Try a new 6BQ7 tube. It might be weak and wont oscillate that high. The tuner might have been used on AM all the time, therefore the tube didn't get any plate voltage.
You can use a 6BZ7, 6BC8 or maybe a 6BK7, there's others in the sub guide.

DavGoodlin
01-04-2018, 04:20 PM
It uses a German FM tuner unit, like many US firms used at the time. There's one string protruding from the unit that is spring return. Make sure it's around the pulleys provided for it. It's actually a good arrangment! :thmbsp:

That German tuner is why my Motorola consoles are extremely sensitive, very selective and easy to tune. About equal to the Zeniths IMHO. I have tons of those 6BZ7's