|
|
Post by roxbrough on Aug 6, 2015 15:18:01 GMT
Dear Experts, I've bought myself an old receiver to practice tinkering with, it came today. Here it is.   It's the Linton Mk2. So I've made some speaker cables up with two pin dins from lawnmower cable and hooked into the Hitachi 3's it sounds better than I expected. What modifications would you guys suggest I do to it, bearing in mind, I'm very much a novice at this sort of thing? |
|
|
|
Post by pre65 on Aug 6, 2015 15:35:49 GMT
To be perfectly frank I would not waste any money on it. 
Sorry.
|
|
|
|
Post by roxbrough on Aug 6, 2015 16:46:30 GMT
To be perfectly frank I would not waste any money on it.
Sorry.
No that's fine, every answer has it's worth. It is for a second system and I refuse to divide too much cash toward that, taking away from my primary rig. Your comment is just as valuble as any other and thank you for responding. |
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Aug 6, 2015 19:00:29 GMT
Well, I love old analogue receivers, have had quite a few and still own at least three.
I've never heard one of those though, at least not to my knowledge. Perceived wisdom is, I think, that the quality of Wharfedale products plummeted somewhat when Rank bought them. This may possibly not apply to the electronics, as I'm sure they would have been manufactured by someone else for Wharfedale. Either way, I don't expect it's going to be the last word in high fidelity but if you like it, then that's fine isn't it?
I'm not sure what you mean by it being something to practice tinkering with but if you intend to use the tuner section, then I'd suggest that you explore the various aerial connections with some suitable antennae.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2015 19:20:25 GMT
Rotel
|
|
|
|
Post by pre65 on Aug 6, 2015 19:36:18 GMT
To me "tinkering" implies trying to make improvements, and also assumes some level of financial outlay.
The phrase that springs to mind is " you can't polish a turd." 
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Aug 6, 2015 19:46:03 GMT
...but what you CAN do is to clean all those horrible corroded contacts. Use some contact cleaner and cocktail sticks and take your time cleaning every individual contact. Make sure the power is off and the mains cable unplugged first!
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Aug 6, 2015 20:00:22 GMT
To me "tinkering" implies trying to make improvements, and also assumes some level of financial outlay.
The phrase that springs to mind is " you can't polish a turd." ;)
Yes, tinkering implies the same thing to me to, but there is tinkering and there is tinkering. I'm not sure calling someone's new purchase "a turd" is entirely helpful! |
|
|
|
Post by pre65 on Aug 6, 2015 20:05:39 GMT
Maybe not, but it's an honest opinion.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Aug 6, 2015 20:19:45 GMT
Well, we are all grown ups here, but if I have honest opinions like that, I like to think that they're best kept to myself.
|
|
|
|
Post by pre65 on Aug 6, 2015 20:27:43 GMT
Well, we are all grown ups here, but if I have honest opinions like that, I like to think that they're best kept to myself. Fair enough. But in all honesty, apart from doing what Martin suggested (most sensible) what could one really do to improve it ? I could say get rid of the DIN connections and fit proper 4mm speaker connectors but would that really be worth it ? If it works then it might be great for a kitchen system or even in the garage/workshop but my original comments still stand. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2015 23:31:32 GMT
Hello box13...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2015 0:53:48 GMT
Yes he's back.... Even the syntax is identical. |
|
|
|
Post by roxbrough on Aug 7, 2015 7:00:01 GMT
...but what you CAN do is to clean all those horrible corroded contacts. Use some contact cleaner and cocktail sticks and take your time cleaning every individual contact. Make sure the power is off and the mains cable unplugged first! Yes Martin, I have given it a really good clean and it benefited. The main use for it at the moment is to monitor what I record from the computer. For that purpose it is better than just the microlab 2.1 system. I intend to get some better speakers to put on the end of it, but won't be spending too much on them. |
|
|
|
Post by roxbrough on Aug 7, 2015 7:03:11 GMT
Well, I love old analogue receivers, have had quite a few and still own at least three. I've never heard one of those though, at least not to my knowledge. Perceived wisdom is, I think, that the quality of Wharfedale products plummeted somewhat when Rank bought them. This may possibly not apply to the electronics, as I'm sure they would have been manufactured by someone else for Wharfedale. Either way, I don't expect it's going to be the last word in high fidelity but if you like it, then that's fine isn't it? I'm not sure what you mean by it being something to practice tinkering with but if you intend to use the tuner section, then I'd suggest that you explore the various aerial connections with some suitable antennae. Tinkering possibly in the area of the capacitors, that sort of thing. You guys seem very able when it comes to that sort of thing and I was hoping some of your expertise rubbed off on me. I will get an FM aerial for it for sure. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Aug 7, 2015 7:16:31 GMT
It might be worth checking the state of the main reservoir caps to see if the ends are bulging. Another indicator of blown reservoirs is excessive hum.
|
|
shane
Rank: Duo
Posts: 56 
|
Post by shane on Aug 7, 2015 11:48:43 GMT
To me "tinkering" implies trying to make improvements, and also assumes some level of financial outlay.
The phrase that springs to mind is " you can't polish a turd."
I think you're being a bit hard here, Phil (Note to all: no, Phil definitely isn't Box13!). It may not be the last word in fidelity but it's a good honest mid-70s receiver built by Rotel for Wharfedale when both were under the Rank umbrella. As such, it'll sound more than good enough for a second system and it's got oodles of "period charm". As to whether you can make any significant improvements, I wouldn't bother. Swapping the din sockets for phonos and binding posts will be a complete pain in the bum and will give you no sonic benefits at all. DIN sockets aren't nearly as bad as most would have you believe, and do have some positive virtues (self-cleaning contacts, earth connection first on insertion etc). There isn't much you can do to the rest of it to improve it as it's a pretty well thought-out and balanced product as it is. My recommendation would be to give all the controls a good dose of switch cleaner, check the condition of the PSU caps and sit back and enjoy that lovely green 70s glow! |
|
|
|
Post by pre65 on Aug 7, 2015 12:03:23 GMT
To me "tinkering" implies trying to make improvements, and also assumes some level of financial outlay.
The phrase that springs to mind is " you can't polish a turd."
As to whether you can make any significant improvements, I wouldn't bother. That's what I was saying, but perhaps a bit too bluntly. If the sound quality is pleasing to roxbrough then fair enough.  |
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Aug 7, 2015 12:10:38 GMT
On the other hand, if the new owner wants to use it as a subject for learning about how to modify or restore vintage gear, then it is probably as good as anything else.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2015 13:53:24 GMT
can we have a photo of the internals please. Then we can see if better connectors could be added and maybe see burnt bits and swollen caps, and what type of PCB material is used, Have you got a year on manufacture??
Best Col
|
|
