HI Folks
I'm new here... if anyone would like to check out who I am - please visit my site Edward Powell - I'm a musician and instrument maker
I have an excellent old MARANTZ cassette recorder that needs some work in order to get it functioning properly --- I love cassettes and that's all I listen to in my 1981 VW bus...
Please if anyone has some experience with this I really could use some help - THANKS
Edward
I'm new here... if anyone would like to check out who I am - please visit my site Edward Powell - I'm a musician and instrument maker
I have an excellent old MARANTZ cassette recorder that needs some work in order to get it functioning properly --- I love cassettes and that's all I listen to in my 1981 VW bus...
Please if anyone has some experience with this I really could use some help - THANKS
Edward
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Thanks for the reply.
I was using it last year to copy mp3 from my laptop onto cassette, and it seemed to be recording at the wrong speed. I began using the pitch control to compensate but it was getting worse and worse.
However just now trying to hook the machine up again to re-test it, I don't seem to be getting any power to it.
I have it all plugged in but it is not getting power. I can't remember if the machine has an ON/OFF switch --- now inspecting it 100X and can not see any ON/OFF switch......... >>> so the first thing is to get the power working.
Not sure how to manage this first step.
The Owner's Manual describes how to power it up: https://www2.lib.jmu.edu/innovation/equipmentloans/documents/Marantz PMD420 cassette recorder.pdf
Thanks again...
Yes according to the MANUAL it seems that it is enough to just plug in the proper power adapter... seems there is no ON/OFF switch. Just plug it in and go.
And when I do that on mine, there is zero power 🙁
Yes according to the MANUAL it seems that it is enough to just plug in the proper power adapter... seems there is no ON/OFF switch. Just plug it in and go.
And when I do that on mine, there is zero power 🙁
I assume your adaptor has the correct polarity?
You could also try inserting three 'D' cells.
These days, we usually have to turn to specialists to repair our cassette recorders (there may be one on this forum).
I'm not sure of your location, but here is a UK specialist: Cassette Tape Deck Repairs – Wilkinson's Hi-Fi, Nelson, Lancashire, UK
You could also try inserting three 'D' cells.
These days, we usually have to turn to specialists to repair our cassette recorders (there may be one on this forum).
I'm not sure of your location, but here is a UK specialist: Cassette Tape Deck Repairs – Wilkinson's Hi-Fi, Nelson, Lancashire, UK
I'm in Czech.
Yes, that would be the next step - to try with batteries.
Perhaps the adapter is damaged - it WAS working well....
Yes I'm hoping to find an expert in such machines to hopefully help me learn how to maintain it. At this point I don't think it is worth spending a ton on a repair, and then have it break again... I need to learn how to maintain and repair this machine myself - somehow. Or otherwise just give up on it (but that would be a pity).
Yes, that would be the next step - to try with batteries.
Perhaps the adapter is damaged - it WAS working well....
Yes I'm hoping to find an expert in such machines to hopefully help me learn how to maintain it. At this point I don't think it is worth spending a ton on a repair, and then have it break again... I need to learn how to maintain and repair this machine myself - somehow. Or otherwise just give up on it (but that would be a pity).
It seems to have negative terminal on middle pin. Check Your adapter.
Hope Marantz didn't forget to include a wrong polarity diode inside.
If You manage to power it, Give it a good cleaning & check the belts and clutches.
Probably You have a loose belt affecting speed.
My first guess with the speed issue would be pinch roller as this controls tape speed over the head. Take up is clutched but if this fails it usually slips and the machine chews tapes.
Check the pinch roller is in good condition and the capstan is not dirty. The capstan is the pin that the roller runs on.
Check the pinch roller is in good condition and the capstan is not dirty. The capstan is the pin that the roller runs on.
Thanks for replies...
My guess also is that the speed issues has something to do with some replaceable part like a belt..
But the first thing is to get the power to the unit. It WAS working fine last year. Maybe the adapter went south? Does anyone know how to check if an adapter is still good?
Otherwise I will pick up some batteries today to see if it works that way.
Thanks
My guess also is that the speed issues has something to do with some replaceable part like a belt..
But the first thing is to get the power to the unit. It WAS working fine last year. Maybe the adapter went south? Does anyone know how to check if an adapter is still good?
Otherwise I will pick up some batteries today to see if it works that way.
Thanks
OK - I just learned how to test a power adapter with a multimeter.
I tested my laptop's adapter 20V no problem
I tested another adapter 3V, the reading was 3.6V ...so seems OK
...then tested my MARANTZ adapter, and nothing.
So I guess it is toast.
Is there anything I can do about that? Are they repairable? If not.....?
I tested my laptop's adapter 20V no problem
I tested another adapter 3V, the reading was 3.6V ...so seems OK
...then tested my MARANTZ adapter, and nothing.
So I guess it is toast.
Is there anything I can do about that? Are they repairable? If not.....?
It's not worth repairing the power adaptor, simply replace with another of identical voltage rating, identical current rating and the same plug polarity.
However, I would use batteries for the initial testing.
The others have given good advice on the obvious mechanical defects to look for.
Just hope that the pinch roller rubber has not gone soft and sticky as replacement is problematical.
However, I would use batteries for the initial testing.
The others have given good advice on the obvious mechanical defects to look for.
Just hope that the pinch roller rubber has not gone soft and sticky as replacement is problematical.
The size of the adapter plug must also match.
According to the manual, the coaxial plug has an outer diameter of 0.217", an inner diameter of 0.080" and a length of 0.375".
So, best take your old adapter along to the store with you!
The adapter must produce 4.5V DC at 700mA. Outer plug sleeve +ve and inner sleeve -ve.
According to the manual, the coaxial plug has an outer diameter of 0.217", an inner diameter of 0.080" and a length of 0.375".
So, best take your old adapter along to the store with you!
The adapter must produce 4.5V DC at 700mA. Outer plug sleeve +ve and inner sleeve -ve.
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Thanks... I just did a bunch of testing on my adapter and found out that there is some sort of defect inside the wall-wort unit itself, but no obviously damaged capacitors or anything - so yes, I think it is time to retire that adapter.
Perhaps I can find something with similar specs, and if the actual plug is different I suppose I can splice on the original plug I still have?
And yes, good idea to power it up with batteries in order to see how far I can get actually correcting the issues in the main machine itself...
...off to buy some big batteries today.
Thanks for your help!
Perhaps I can find something with similar specs, and if the actual plug is different I suppose I can splice on the original plug I still have?
And yes, good idea to power it up with batteries in order to see how far I can get actually correcting the issues in the main machine itself...
...off to buy some big batteries today.
Thanks for your help!
I'd buy an appropriate plug that I'd solder to the leads of a 5 V USB PSU of sufficient power. 0.5 V or 10 % more voltage shouldn't do any harm.
Best regards!
Best regards!
For those low voltages up to 12V I usually use the tongue to test, but that's me.
Probably the adapter is OK, but the wire is broken. It breaks usually at the jack entry or at the PSU output. Wiggle it a bit to test.
Could be just a dried capacitor inside the PSU.
The wire and jack all seem OK... yes probably a fried capacitor is my guess. I guess that is replaceable?
I wouldn't rely on a guess! A capacitor is indeed replaceable, but is not necessarily the source of the problem.
Power adaptors are cheap and could even work out cheaper than the replacement components required to get your old one working!
However, I do agree with MAACO that the problem is usually due to constant flexure causing a break in the cable.
Power adaptors are cheap and could even work out cheaper than the replacement components required to get your old one working!
However, I do agree with MAACO that the problem is usually due to constant flexure causing a break in the cable.
yeah... I checked the jack and cable hoping for a quick easy fix... no luck - so looks like I'll be looking for a new adapter.
It is such a great machine, and I love cassettes so it is all worth the effort in the long run. This machine will likely be "my cassette machine" for the rest of my life.
It is such a great machine, and I love cassettes so it is all worth the effort in the long run. This machine will likely be "my cassette machine" for the rest of my life.