Vintage Tube Amp

This listing is for a vintage RCA 45-EY-3 automatic 45 RPM record changer (RP-190) with an internal 3 tube audio amplifier (RS-136E) that has been professionally MAGnetics. Audio restored; cosmetically, mechanically, and electronically. It looks and functions just like it did over 70 years ago but includes many upgrades and improvements to the original design. Most significantly, the phono cartridge has been upgraded from an obsolete, heavy crystal type to a modern, lighter ceramic type requiring less vertical tracking force (VTF) and includes a modern diamond stylus to improve sound and preserve your records. This also lets you play newer stereo 45 RPM records from the 1970s to 2000s (played monaurally) as well as older mono 45 RPM records from the 1950s & 60s like the original 45-EY-3 did. This restoration entailed the following. Disassembled RP-190 chassis and inspected, cleaned, adjusted, and lubricated all parts requiring it. Replaced the dried out and hardened rubber tire on the Cycling Cam with a new one. Replaced the old Idler Wheel with a new machined aluminum Idler Wheel with neoprene tires. Rebuilt motor; Disassembled, cleaned, lubricated and tested. Installed new Motor Mounts. Cleaned and polished all exterior surfaces of the Turntable and Tonearm without repainting the RP-190 chassis to maintain original vintage appearance and patina. Disassembled the turntable spindle nose cap, removed and cleaned the record drop and separator mechanism, and tested after reassembly. Removed Tonearm and replaced old tone wire set with new modern wire set. Replaced the old crystal phono cartridge with a new modern ceramic cartridge, including a 0.07 elliptical diamond tip stylus. Adjusted cartridge mount for correct vertical tracking angle (VTA), as well as adjusting stylus clearance for maximum record changer capacity. Cleaned, lubricated and reassembled the RP-190 chassis. Adjusted and tested record-changing operation, including Tonearm lift height, and Tonearm positioning for correct record starting and ending (runout recycling trip). Cleaned and polished the Bakelite cabinet. Restored internal audio tube amplifier (RS-168E). Replaced vacuum tubes with new old stock (NOS) tubes. I nstalled a new safety polarized power cord. Replaced all old paper capacitors with modern tone capacitors. Tested and replaced any resistors or other electronic components that were out of specifications. Cleaned amplifier chassis and used “DeoxIt D5″ on volume control. Bench tested amplifier performance using signal generator, oscilloscope & distortion analyzer. Test operated amplifier for over 4 hours to “burn in” tubes and verify proper tube biasing. Installed the completed RS-136E tube amplifier and RP-190 record changer chassis into the case and conducted final testing of the completed RCA Model 45-EY-3. Fine-tuned the mechanicals and played over 50 records on it while monitoring sound quality, record cycling operation, reject lever, and tonearm movement (see video). Everything works flawlessly and it works better than new, because of all the upgrades like the aluminum idler wheel that is machined round to a very high tolerance level, the modern tone capacitors, and improved phono cartridge. General Specifications of an RCA 45-EY-3 Record Changer. The RCA 45-EY-3 is an iconic 1950s Bakelite “Suitcase” type portable record changer and audio amplifier designed exclusively for 7-inch 45 RPM records. It is a “mechanical marvel” recognized for its lightning-fast, automatic changing of up to 12 stacked records. The 45-EY-3 is a stand-alone player that requires no connections to external equipment. It just needs to be plugged into an AC wall outlet. It is a record changer, not just a player; it uses a large central spindle to stack and automatically drop up to 12 records, featuring a notably fast, mechanical changing cycle. Features a simple, single knob start/reject function. Without an automatic stop, the last record on the stack will repeat indefinitely until the tonearm is manually lifted from the record. Volume is controlled via a single knob located underneath the top cover of the Bakelite cabinet. RS-136E audio amplifier contains the following vacuum tube types: 35W4, 50C5, and 12AV6. The RCA 45-EY-3 record changer is a self-contained portable suitcase style unit with a footprint measuring 11-1/2″ x 11-1/2″ and a total height of 7-1/2″ from the bottom of the cabinet to the top of the cover when closed and 16-1/2″ when open.