VM 570 turntable issues

[anpap]

Hi all,

The restorer started working on the console a couple of days ago. Visited his shop today to see how it's going.
The record player was all jammed, but he managed to make it turn. We now have two issues:
1. There's a rubber covered wheel under the turntable (see photos), that is worn out and needs to be replaced. From the parts list, it seems that it's item 115, part no 19388, Idler Pulley
Any idea where i can get a replacement?

2. The record player works with 110V, 60Hz, while the voltage here is 240V, 50Hz. We use a transformer to drop the voltage to 110V, but the 10Hz difference in the frequency makes it turn slower. Any idea how to fix this? The restorer mentioned that some players came with a kit of to convert 60Hz units to 50Hz. Something like rubber loops that you insert on the record speed selector next to the idler to increase its diameter...

Can you please assist?

thanks,
Andreas

[William]

HI Andreas and thank you for sharing your VM project.

When it comes to VM, we all use Gary Stork, he is located in the Detroit Michigan area. He is the VM expert as when VM closed its doors he bought out the remaining inventory and started his business. He will be the one you need to contact for parts for your changer, and he may have an answer for you as far as your power difference goes. Nice guy, very helpful, and you can reach him through his website which is listed below.

https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/

Here's a little history about Voice of Music that you might enjoy as well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_of_Music

Good luck with your project and please share any and all updates here on the forum.

Bill

[electra225]

I found this article online, Andreas. Perhaps it may give you a hint or two about the speed problem.

http://www.film-tech.com/ubb/f8/t006187.html

You might also try using some thin tubing cut and put on the motor shaft to make it turn the platter faster. It would take some experimentation to get it right, but it might be an option until something better comes along.....

[TC Chris]

Idler wheel rubber can sometimes be improved by holding the wheel on a suitable axle against a sanding disc or belt, so as to abrade the hardened surface off. It's best to get a new one, but this may help temporarily.

Chris Campbell

[danrclem]

Have any of you guys tried soaking them in brake fluid? I haven't ever done it but have read that it helps.

[William]

Interesting, Danny, I have never heard of that, and I guess it would not hurt to try it, what do you have to lose if it does not work.

Bill

[danrclem]

I don't think I would try it on one unless I was willing to lose it just in case it didn't work. I've also read that there are products specifically for rubber but I haven't tried any of them either.

[electra225]

We used to put brake fluid on a rag, then wipe the fan belts on a car if they were squeaking when the engine idled. We didn't spray liquid brake fluid on them, just wiped then with brake fluid on a rag. Worked like a charm. I'm not sure I would soak the drive tire in brake fluid, it might swell the rubber enough it would detach from the metal. It might not hurt to wipe it with a rag like I stated above. I've thought about doing that myself. Thanks for mentioning that, Danny. I think I'll try it on a drive tire and report back with what I found.

[anpap]

Thank you all for your advice!
For now I ordered a new idler wheel/50Hz conversion kit.

Let's see how it will work when it arrives.

[William]

Anpap, if I might ask, where did you find your conversion kit?

Bill

[anpap]

From V-M Audio Enthusiasts
https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/

I assume it's an idler wheel with slightly different diameter...

[TC Chris]

The idler wheel diameter or circumference do not affect turntable speed. The size of the drive device (on changers,usually a 3-size turret) on the motor spindle does.

Chris Campbell

[William]

I am sure Gary is taking good care of you and if you told him your situation, he is sending you what you need. VM was a big player back in the day so they must have made changers that worked on European power.

Bill

[danrclem]

We used to put brake fluid on a rag, then wipe the fan belts on a car if they were squeaking when the engine idled. We didn't spray liquid brake fluid on them, just wiped then with brake fluid on a rag. Worked like a charm. I'm not sure I would soak the drive tire in brake fluid, it might swell the rubber enough it would detach from the metal. It might not hurt to wipe it with a rag like I stated above. I've thought about doing that myself. Thanks for mentioning that, Danny. I think I'll try it on a drive tire and report back with what I found.

Some of the people who said they used brake fluid on the drive tire said that they soaked it in there for quite awhile. Again, I wouldn't try that unless I was willing to sacrifice the idler wheel.

[hermitcrab]

I personally use peppermint oil and alcohol... it works , but it can melt the rubber if you don't add enough alcohol .... don't ask how I know that

[William]

Every time you use that record player does your room must smell like peppermint. Elton, what is the ratio of peppermint to alcohol that might be something I would try sometime and wherever did you get that idea?

Bill

[anpap]

Hi all,

The restoration is almost done. Posted an update and a photo in viewtopic.php?t=2797

Discussed about the next steps with the technician. He said a few things I disagree with:
1. The console currently has two speakers. Judging from the schematic at the back of the cabinet (see photo), I see that there should also be a 3rd speaker, a 12-inch woofer.
He said that we should not add a 3rd speaker, as it will cause issues with the amplifier output (impedance mismatch or something).
2. He also said that the VM-570 is a "Mono" model. I was under the impression that it's a "Stereo" model and that you can plug in an external speaker.
Found this video on Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/whiteelephantman ... 574539920/

Does anyone know if it will be ok to add a 3rd speaker and if the VM-570 is mono or stereo?
Any info about the external speaker?

Finally we considered adding a Bluetooth receiver in the cabinet and connect it to the second input of the amplifier, so that we can play music from a smartphone (mono or stereo).
What do you think? Any suggestions for a Bluetooth receiver module?

thanks in advance
Andreas

[William]

Oh my! To start, your unit is a three-speaker unit, and you seem to be missing the 12" woofer as you pointed out shown in the schematic you provided. Besides, how does he account for a 12" hole that is obviously put there from the factory. For this unit to sound like it was intended from the factory you need the 12" woofer, and your amp was designed to power all three speakers with the proper crossover capacitors installed.

The Facebook link that you provided is your and my unit and I do have the extra speaker/amp to make it stereo. Notice I said speaker/amp as the auxiliary cabinet contains an amplifier along with a 10" woofer and a tweeter. If you take a look at your changer, you will notice two slide switches mounted on the changer. The one on the left, labeled phono/tuner, shuts off the changer motor and the one on the right, under the tone arm states mono/stereo. In the mono position all input signal from the cartridge goes to the main unit. In the stereo position the signal is split, and the main unit becomes the LH channel, and the auxiliary cabinet becomes the RH channel. I presume your cartridge is stereo so you should be ready to add the RH channel at some point. To tell if your cartridge is stereo count how many wires are attached to it. Three or four should make it a stereo cartridge. It would also be interesting to know what kind of cartridge your 570 has.

There is a tricky part to the proper wiring for these 570 units and I hope your service guy recorded where the wires were located as schematics do not reference them very well. The wires I am referring to are the ones that go to the two slide switches.

As far as adding Bluetooth, that should be easy as the LH slide switch allows for an auxiliary input. The slide switch is labeled phono/tuner. In the tuner position the motor is shut off so only the amp is being used and there is an input jack I believe called external input located on the back of the cabinet under the changer. You will also find a second jack which is where you plug in the auxiliary speaker/amp to make it a stereo unit. Also, listed on the amp is an auxiliary speaker jack but that will not make it stereo, it just allows you to add extra speakers. Do you have a photo of the back of your 570 that you could share?

I hope this helps and maybe it will help the guy that is doing the work for you. If he still insists that the 12" woofer is not needed, then I might question his ability to do electronic restoration. All the best on getting this resolved, and once it is done and done correctly, you will have a great sounding Voice of Music 570 to enjoy.

Bill

[electra225]

Insist that the 12" speaker be replaced, mucho pronto. The schematic clearly indicated that the 12" speaker is a part of the circuit that needs to be there in order for the circuit to function correctly. Leaving that speaker OUT may cause damage rather than putting it back in. I question whoever is working on the electronics on their ability and knowledge of tube equipment. You are right to question what you were told. Good luck.....

[anpap]

Thank you both for the information!

Will try to pass by the shop tomorrow to drop some components I received.
Will tell them about the 12 inch woofer.

You mentioned crossover caps, I see only one in the schematic. Should we add more and if yes, where and what type/values??

Cannot take a photo now, unfortunately, but will try to take a few when I visit the shop or when I bring the unit home.

--A