Motor repair for Goldmund Studio TT /w Pabst motor


Well, either I am seriously forum challenged (a possibility) or for the second time my thread on this subject has been removed and is not in the archives. I thought they archived everything, but I guess not. Moderator, could you please stop deleting this. Every time you do I lose all the posts from forum members.

I sent my motor to an electronics firm in California recommended by a friend in the industry. They took one look at it and wouldn't touch it because it had electronics in it and, I guess, they don't do that stuff.

The good news seems to be that the motor windings are very likely ok and the problem actually seems to be related to the internal electronics parts.

Since I saw smoke come out of the motor during my initial investigation of the problem, I had thought the windings were compromised. Removing the bottom cover of the motor reveals a circular circuit board but also visible through a gap where the wires enter the motor are some additional electronics parts. So, when the motor was returned to me I set about disassembling the damn thing myself. In addition to removing the bottom cover, this required removing a couple of C clips and other various bits.

I was expecting to see some heat damage but everything looks fine. There are a lot of Caps, Resistors, Transistors and other three terminal devices in this thing. I am leaning toward the theory that one or more of these transistors have failed and I will be testing them to see if I can locate the problem.

Word on the street has been that Pabst of Germany went out of business in the early '80s. However, in the latest issue of TAS I noted that the review of the Raven AC 3 TT mentioned that it uses a Pabst motor.
willster

Showing 6 responses by nsgarch

Pabst is alive and well. The problem is that the motor used in that TT is no longer made and no parts exist for repair as far as anyone (including Goldmund) knows. The JVC motor which was later used in both the Studio and Studietto is available and/or can be repaired.

One person that may have further information (like for instance, where there might be a working Pabst motor you could scavenge) is Brian Hartsell (brian4tar@aol.com) at the Analog Room in an Jose, CA. (408) 971-6158

You should also check out the information here:
http://www.goldmund.com/oldsite/old/wwpage9.html
click on 'Vintage Page' under Vintage Equipment Support.
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As Willster suggests, the platters of the Studio and Studietto turntables are part of the (direct drive) motor system. And the Pabst setup is quite different from the JVC version (which is also quartz crystal speed controlled.)

The MSRP of the Studio (without arm) was from $3000 - $4500 during the three years it was made. I think the more expensive table you are referring to was the Reference -- a belt driven TT that was made from 1987 -1992 and cost $19,000 - $32,500 over its production lifetime. The new Reference (without arm) is $250,000. Go for it!
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Willster, this is from Arthur Salvatore's site, maybe you can get some ideas from it:

GOLDMUND STUDIO MOTOR REPLACEMENTS
Below is potentially "Great News" for the owners of the Goldmund Studio turntables. It is from a veteran reader and contributor to this site; Here it is, slightly edited;

"...I found out that an EDS-900 Dual 704 motor is nearly identical to the one used in early Goldmunds. Furthermore, the EDS-1000, used in the Dual 701/721, is an IMPROVED vesrsion. I recently aquired three junky Duals and will check these motors out. If this, indeed, is true, than older Goldmunds can be kept going indefinitely. Dual Europe has both new EDS-900 ($300) and the EDS-1000 ($650) in stock, but they can be salvaged form old tables for next to nothing (I paid $140 for three). Will keep you posted as to feasabilty of retrofitting. You can let all stranded Goldmund owners get in touch with me for any questions they have. Goldmund Europe still has miniature motors for the arm in stock ($300 a pop)."

This update from the same reader arrived a few days later;

"Dual motor update: Dual 701/721 motors are larger in diameter, so some machining is required. Other than that, they could be used. Of course a HANDY guy can do it. Dual power supply must be used. Not a DIRECT replacement, no. Dual 704 looks to be much closer from a picture, but I won't know till I get it (next week)."

Futher Correspondence- These updates are from the same helpful reader above. After a little editing;

"Final breakdown on the replacement motors from Dual tables:

Dual 701/721, EDS 1000/EDS 1000-II- These motors are 5.5" in diameter, while the original Goldmund Papst is 4 3/8", so machining is required.

Dual 704 (may be also 504, never got that, EDS 500 motor), EDS 900 motor- IDENTICAL top, diameter, color etc. Major difference: circuit board extension beyond housing about 0.5" x 1.5", so some machining is required. This motor is not as thick as the original, has less of a magnet and as a result, less torque. Dual's own platter is much lighter.

EDS 1000 has more torque and it is smoother than original Goldmund. There is a posting on Audio Asylum by a Goldmund Studietto owner who actually wanted to replace a WORKING Papst with an EDS 1000 to acheive smoother ride.

Further, both motors are fed via their own electronics, and MUST be used with it. It is not bulky, will fit inside. All in all, I would only recommend these if all other options are exausted (that is, the original motor replacement at about $500, if you can find one). I paid $50 for a Dual 704, so it is a cheap fix, but Goldmund platter probably will have to be given a spin to start turning!

The last word- The Dual 704 (EDS 900) motor definitely wouldn't work - not enough torque. So forget about quick cheap fixes."

Personal Note- This reader deserves thanks for sharing his time, investment and efforts. After everything is said and one, the EDS 1000 motors, found in the Dual 701/721, can still work, though "some machining is required". They may even provide an improvement!
Willster, you're nothing if not thorough! Please come back and update this thread as you progress.

One other idea I had (which at this point I'd not be surprised to learn you've tried) is to e-mail the fellow that has this site: http://de.geocities.com/bc1a69/index_eng.html
He may have other sources we don't know about. Good luck.
Hi John, the T3-F arms CAN be made to work, but they're a real PITA! And depending on your environment (changes in temperature and humidity) they don't hold their settings very well. Additionally (as with all linear trackers to some degree,) they are hard on cartridge cantilevers. And unless the arm comes with the latest PL8 control unit, it's 'no deal' (there are many reasons for this.) BTW, I have never seen a PL8 that is marked 'PL8' on the front panel. So you have to find a PL-7 and then check the rear panel ;~)

Without trying to talk you out of a Studio, I have a second, never used, Studietto (with JVC quartz controlled motor.) It's in PERFECT cond. (including a pristine dust cover!) and I have the threaded Goldmund cone feet and Goldmund reflex record clamp to go with it (those two items alone are more than 300 bucks each if you can ever find them!)

BTW (and this is important -- a lot of people don't know it): The Goldmund reflex clamp is essential for the correct operation of either the Studio or the Studietto turntables. Their platters have a concave surface, and the record has to be pushed down into the concave surface by the clamp (a simple record weight won't do it.) A SOTA reflex clamp is the only currently available clamp that will also work, but then the dust cover won't close!

A lot of people say the Studio sounds better. I have no idea what they're talking about! Maybe it's some kind of 'vintage snobbery', or the fact that (due to the expensive wood base) the Studio cost more. However, due to that enclosed base, the Studio is almost impossible to dial in properly! Both turntables suffer (identically) from thin bass response, and resonance issues. The solution (which elevates their performance into the realm of $15,000+ turntables!) is to replace the springs with Sorbothane.
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