Found this Trio WX-400

[mcface]

Hey guys so this is my first post here and i wanted to kinda show off my findings.

My city recently had a freecycle day and i found this baby sitting on the curbside staring me down. I swerved over to the side of the road and found a note ontop of this, it read " Free please dont take this and destroy it, i just dont understand it or have any use for it. Give it a good home I work fine."

I picked ut up dusted it off and put it in my trunk along with a pair of AR3-A tower speakers(I will post about later).
So here is what she looks like opened up in all her glory..

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

It had a manual and the wiring schematics and everything.
So i got home and plugged it in and wow the fabulous warming sounds it produced.
So i was just wanting to know if anyone out there can provide me with some info on this thing here. the total model name is :Trio WX-400 valve (tube) receiver
(tuner amplifier.) 1962
Is this thing worth anything or is it just another piece of history.

 

[planet10]

Looks like a nice PP EL84 amp.... Can you post the schema?

dave

 

[mcface]

Looks like a nice PP EL84 amp.... Can you post the schema?

dave

Here are some poor photos i took, i am trying to get the scanner working atm but with no luck. Also found tucked in the manual a note from the manufacturer. Its typwritten and highly faded but it says:

STEREO INDICATOR ADJUSTMENT
This unit is now equipped with a special control at the rear which permits adjustment of the sensitivity of the electronic stereo indicator circuit. This stereo Indicator control has been preset at the factory and will not usually require further adjustment. However, if you find that the stereo indicator does not fully close on a relativity weak stereo station, you can re-adjust the control for increased sensitivity as indicated below.
Tune in the weakest of the stereo stations which you listen. Adjust the stereo indicator control so that the tuning indicator just closes (no shadow area). On strong stereo stations the indicator will overlap, this is perfectly normal. As a final check on the action of the indicator, tune in various strong monophonic stations and not the reaction of the indicator ......... it should never close fully as it does in the case of a stereo station

Once i get my scanner up and running i will be posting all the images as well as a complete page by page of the manual as its only 8 pages long.

Anyone have a good idea on how to clean the dust out of the insides of the amplifier? will compressed air damage the tubes or anything? I am quite a newb to tubes. so any info would be great.

I also noticed on the scematics that there have been some revisions done in pen, just written over top the printed diagram.

 

[kavermei]

To remove the sticky dust often found inside old radios, I use cotton buds and methanol. It takes a lot of time though. And don't use it on coils or transformers, it damages the enamel on the wires!

If you worry about damaging the tubes, just take them out.

 

[planet10]

I'd use isopropanal as opposed to methanol...

The amp stage is a 12AX7 voltage amp driving a 12AX7 concetina and an EL84 push-pull stage. Lots of options for a modern update -- El Cheapo, Red Light District, maybe Baby Huey (the OPTs are not UL), especially if it is point-to-point wiring

dave

 

[kavermei]

I'd use isopropanal as opposed to methanol...
dave

Dave, why is that? I'm asking because methanol is much easier to find in stores here, as opposed to isopropyl.

Kenneth

 

[planet10]

Dave, why is that? I'm asking because methanol is much easier to find in stores here, as opposed to isopropyl.

Isopropanol ias very available here... can't recall seeing methanol available.

You commented that methanol can take the enamel off the wire in coils, here isopropanol does no harm in my experience.

dave

 

[kavermei]

Great, if I ever spot it, I'll surely try it.

 

[TheGimp]

Isopropyl is available in 50% and 70%. You can usually find it among medical supplies (drug store, medicine isle at WalMart, etc).

70% makes a better antiseptic.

I don't know which would be better for cleaning.

 

[vinylkid58]

Isopropanol ias very available here... can't recall seeing methanol available.

Sold here as Methyl Hydrate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol

I used to fire a small steam engine with this as a child.

Jeff

 

[planet10]

Isopropyl is available in 50% and 70%.

I get 99% at any pharmacy (the one that houses my local postal outlet usually)

dave

 

[mcface]

Okay, well isopropyl is easily avail here in Canada i get the 99% stuff only way to go. Anyways, i am clueless about this amplifier, im looking to sell it and dont wanna short change myself. The condition is 'working' meaning that it turns on and all the inputs work, aux, am,fm,fm stereo, the volume needs some cleaning or something as no static, and the right channel cuts in a out, everything else is smooth clean and distortion free upon use. I dont know if its a good thing or not but all the tubes have a orange glowing filament. (i hope that's normal) If anyone can give me a honest opinion on what i should list thing for on ebay. I would really appreciate it.

 

[planet10]

It would make a great donor for an El Cheapo, RLD, or Baby Huey, but their are people out there collecting and restoring these things.... i'd say in working order it should be good for at least $200-300.

dave

 

[aardvarkash10]

Trio became Kenwood - it was the upper end gear that Kenwood put out and the technical stuff - you often see Trio 'scopes, ham radio gear etc. It looks to be solid - nice size opts and ptx. It would be a keeper for me...

 

[nguyenhansen]

Hi mcface,
I am restoring a Kenwood Kw-70. Based on information from various forums, they said it is the same as Trio WX-400. Would you post the schematic and the rest of the manual on the forum?
Thanks
Hansen