[Audio in every Room]

Hi all,

Just new to this site, therefore the newbie designation, but been around TTs and Vinyl all my life.
I just bought Hitachi HT-460 off a friend, but there are some issues with it. I'm suspecting that the mechanics need a good cleaning and oiling, since the switch for the Start/Cue and Repeat is kind of stiff. I noticed that it wants to return to the neutral position, but does not quite make make it. If I start it and return it to neutral position by hand, it works the way it should.

Here a couple of things I need advise on though!

1.) The first issue I have is that the motor starts up, the platter starts to turn and then quits. If I give it assistance, spinning it by hand, it works fine. As a matter of fact if I give the platter a spin before I cue the record, it has no problem to keep going.
Is there something I can do to fix this problem, or do you think the motor is tired and needs replacing?

2.) I also bought a new cartridge and stylus (Audio Technica CN5625AL) since my friend informed me that the cartridge and stylus are done. I made sure all my connections on the head and the wires where clean before installing it, but I'm getting quite a bit of white noise interference. Will try the head and cartridge from my JVC and Michell tomorrow, but was wondering if there are some other issues I should consider before trying that.

Cheers,
Richard

[neobop]

Hi, welcome,
At first I thought this was a belt drive from the way it started up, but this is a direct drive?

Most of these are perma-lubed, but you might want to check.  Some need oiling.   The noise coming from the output is of primary concern.  If you can't get a signal then it's useless.  Try another headshell/cart that you know works, and see what happens.  Make sure the phono stage you're plugging into is good.

If it's still noisy you're going to have to take the bottom off anyway, so look around.  There's usually a strip that connects the tonearm contacts.  Clean it.  It could be shorting out.  Other than that it's hard to say without seeing/testing it.  Cleaning all the switches and contacts might restore normal mechanical  function.
neo

[Audio in every Room]

Thanks Neo,
It is a direct drive, and since I will have to get at the mechanics I will open it up anyway. Hopefully I can find out what might be the problem.
The phono stage is good, and I was thinking that I might need to replace the phono leads from the TT themselves. This is an older unit and has been sitting for about 15 years. Sometimes the insulation gets brittle and moisture has gotten to the wires themselves.
Since I don't have a manual, I will have to see if it can be replaced.

I have some good electronics contact cleaner as well as some 5-in-1, which is a non-conducting lubricant, and some fine machine oil.
Will give an update tomorrow as to how it went.

May have some other questions, as there are always other things that pop up.

Cheers,
Richard

[Audio in every Room]

Hi Neo,

Quick update. Cleaning and Lubricating did the trick, still have to give the platter a pre-spin, but that is a minor detail.
Turned out that there was a poor connection in the tonearm, one of the retractable contact pins was stuck, but after a thorough dousing of 5 in 1 it loosened up and also cleaned the rest of the contacts. Works fantastic.

Cheers and thanks for some of the tips.

Richard

[neobop]

Glad you got it working.  I noticed the Vinyl Engine library doesn't have your service manual.  They do have ones for other DD Hitachi which should be similar.  I don't know if the motor needs lubrication, maybe checking some others will shed some light on this.

If you need any help or advice, stop by again.
neo