Dear all,
Among the dusty vintage equipment in my attic, there is a Rotel RP-850 turntable. This is a nice, heavy belt-driven item with a tonearm that resembles some Rega models. Unfortunately, the rubber belt has lost its elasticity and become loose; thus the turntable cannot be operated anymore. I tried to remove the platter in order to replace the belt (replacement belts of many sizes can be bought from a store in the city where I live). However, this proved to be more difficult than I expected: the platter does not come off. Probably there is some trick to loosen the platter which I do not know. I downloaded a service manual for the Rotel RP-850 from the Vinyl Engine website (great site, definitely recommended), but that manual also does not indicate how one should remove the platter. Does anyone of the DIYaudio community have a clue? I feel stupid. 😕
Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!
Best regards (and best wishes for the New Year 2014),
Aren van Waarde (aka arensattic).
Among the dusty vintage equipment in my attic, there is a Rotel RP-850 turntable. This is a nice, heavy belt-driven item with a tonearm that resembles some Rega models. Unfortunately, the rubber belt has lost its elasticity and become loose; thus the turntable cannot be operated anymore. I tried to remove the platter in order to replace the belt (replacement belts of many sizes can be bought from a store in the city where I live). However, this proved to be more difficult than I expected: the platter does not come off. Probably there is some trick to loosen the platter which I do not know. I downloaded a service manual for the Rotel RP-850 from the Vinyl Engine website (great site, definitely recommended), but that manual also does not indicate how one should remove the platter. Does anyone of the DIYaudio community have a clue? I feel stupid. 😕
Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!
Best regards (and best wishes for the New Year 2014),
Aren van Waarde (aka arensattic).
A blast from the past...
If I remember correctly, and it is a LONG time since I played with/sold RP850s, the platter is a friction fit (taper) on the bearing center.
To remove the platter:
1. Lift the platter as far as you can (evenly) and insert a couple of shims opposite each other under the platter at the edges. Then using a heavy-ish piece of wood, tap the bearing center (gently!) and the platter may release. 🙂
If it doesn't, 🙁
2: Buy a can of freezer-spray from your local electronics store and spray the metal center with it and try 1. again.
If this doesn't work, you might have to get physical... 😀
PS For the price of a belt and maybe a new cartridge/stylus it's a smashing turntable. I always liked it. And a happy new year to you too!
If I remember correctly, and it is a LONG time since I played with/sold RP850s, the platter is a friction fit (taper) on the bearing center.
To remove the platter:
1. Lift the platter as far as you can (evenly) and insert a couple of shims opposite each other under the platter at the edges. Then using a heavy-ish piece of wood, tap the bearing center (gently!) and the platter may release. 🙂
If it doesn't, 🙁
2: Buy a can of freezer-spray from your local electronics store and spray the metal center with it and try 1. again.
If this doesn't work, you might have to get physical... 😀
PS For the price of a belt and maybe a new cartridge/stylus it's a smashing turntable. I always liked it. And a happy new year to you too!
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Remove the rubber mat, revealing two holes.
Using forefinger and thumb, lift patter and give the center spindle a sharp tap with end of screwdriver handle.
Voila, platter is free.
To temporarily get the TT going, cut a section out of the belt and using superglue, carefully join the cut ends of the belt.
Measure the diameter of the underside of the platter where the belt runs.
Also measure the width of the belt.
These are the dimensions of the TT belt size that you require.
Dan.
Using forefinger and thumb, lift patter and give the center spindle a sharp tap with end of screwdriver handle.
Voila, platter is free.
To temporarily get the TT going, cut a section out of the belt and using superglue, carefully join the cut ends of the belt.
Measure the diameter of the underside of the platter where the belt runs.
Also measure the width of the belt.
These are the dimensions of the TT belt size that you require.
Dan.
Thanks folks
Dear Dan and Badgerboy,
Thanks for this good advice, I'll defenitely try it. Did not think of a friction fit or tapered axis (thought I might have to remove a screw or something else at the bottom of the player but could not find anything). Thanks also for the advice for buying the right kind of belt (I knew this, but it is good to have the mind refreshed!). 🙂
Best regards,
Aren
Dear Dan and Badgerboy,
Thanks for this good advice, I'll defenitely try it. Did not think of a friction fit or tapered axis (thought I might have to remove a screw or something else at the bottom of the player but could not find anything). Thanks also for the advice for buying the right kind of belt (I knew this, but it is good to have the mind refreshed!). 🙂
Best regards,
Aren
Greetings people
this the only thread dedicated to Rotel RP 850.
I've got an offer from professional seller of vintage gear in my country for this item, fitted with AT 95 head. Turntable is marketed as mechanically pristine, checked and you know blah, blah... The only flaw should be the lid which got some yellowish color during all these years. This guys is asking for 250 euros or 220 without head.
I don't have chance to check it and listen since seller lives in another city.
Should i go for this turntable or to think of particle boards from Project in similar category. In Serbia this turntable is extremely rare so i dont have experience nor mine nor other people here.
Cheers
this the only thread dedicated to Rotel RP 850.
I've got an offer from professional seller of vintage gear in my country for this item, fitted with AT 95 head. Turntable is marketed as mechanically pristine, checked and you know blah, blah... The only flaw should be the lid which got some yellowish color during all these years. This guys is asking for 250 euros or 220 without head.
I don't have chance to check it and listen since seller lives in another city.
Should i go for this turntable or to think of particle boards from Project in similar category. In Serbia this turntable is extremely rare so i dont have experience nor mine nor other people here.
Cheers
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