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Antique Turntables

I recently purchased an antique Stereo Cabinet/System. It is branded Stromberg Carlson, but was built my General Dynamics. The Cabinet and components are visually flawless and look as if it was built yesterday. Since the unit is at another location being repaired I don’t have any more access to more details of my unit. I believe it was built in the late 50’s possible into the 60’s. I have all of the original documentation with the unit at the repair facility, several miles from my home. The only information I can provide at the moment is below.

It is a Tube amp with a Preamp as well as a Turntable. I knew it needed work, so it is being repaired as there was a nasty hum and the turntable would not work. It is now several weeks later and the Amplifier has been repaired by replacing a badly leaking Cap, so the hum is gone as well as the crackle from all the dust cleaned out from the inside of the Pots for Volume, Bass, Treble and balance.

The turntable is receiving power but the mechanisms in the turntable changer that engage with the motor are just frozen. So the only way to return the Turntable to functional condition is a donor table to replace the frozen parts or an outright replacement. I would like to keep the unit original.

The model number of the Turntable is a Stromberg Carlson PR520 or lower end PR510, apparently the Turntable was also sold under several other brands as well. One of the other brands model # is Glaser-Steers GS-400.
I would appreciate any input into locating a suitable Turntable replacement or Donor Turntable.

John
tardisjohn
french_fries
815 posts
 
I once saw a Fisher console with a Sony reel to reel, a Dual 1229, and 12 inch 4-way speakers on each end, with a loaded receiver to power it.
The whole set cost under $2K (a whole lot of money in 1967 or so).
The furniture was extremely solid and nicely finished. I almost died on the spot when I heard it, but we were in the market for a Fisher stereo compact- a  turntable set into a hollow space on top of a receiver with
separate speakers. But even that wasn't all that bad (although I hated the turntable). Things were coming along though- the equipment becoming available dropped the TV tube in exchange for separates.
The TV consoles were useless- a good thing. None of them sounded even OK. 


Post removed 
davidgreekk
3 posts
 
Look for a 70's direct drive or belt driven Japanese turntable. Entry to mid-level Technics, Onkyo, Kenwood, Pioneer etc.

Avoid units that do not have a counterweight or anti-skate setting. Also, standard cartridge mount decks tend to be better than P-mount, though P-mount is easier to set up.

Some units that I have owned that worked well and sounded nice are Technics SL20, Onkyo CP1020f, Pioneer PL-115, and Technics SL3300.

I was able to find all of these for under $50 each, and all they needed was some cleanup, new belt if required, and a new cartridge.

The 70's Japanese tables are extremely reliable and will outperform most entry-level modern decks under $300.
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