J C Penney Stereo

[RWV]

My brother has an old JCP Stereo System he bot in the mid to late 80’s. Model 683-2242.

Speakers got ruined in a flooded basement so I am building new speaker cabinets for him. Have one done. Hooking old and new speakers up w RCA port allows solid sound out of both speakers for AM/FM, CD, and cassette. HOWEVER turntable sound output to the speakers is practically zero (can faintly hear the song) at full volume. I am looking for any guidance on what to check to figure out why the turntable sound will not come through as it should. I have very little experience in electronics and wiring, I’m just a dumb ol’ woodworker. 😉Any thoughts appreciated!!

 

[RWV]

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Man does that system take me back.

I don't know much about audio; does the wood you chose, and the way you are building the cabinet, help with sound quality?

 

[RWV]

Man does that system take me back.

I don't know much about audio; does the wood you chose, and the way you are building the cabinet, help with sound quality?

I’m not quite done yet but it shud. Using red oak and walnut and partially lining the inside with a sound proofing foam to minimize vibration in the wood. Sounds good even without that and without full enclosure completed.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Looking forward to the project finished pics

 

[balloonshark]

Man did I love window shopping for these as a kid.

I don't know much about this stuff so I'm posting what I would try. Did the turntable work before it got to you?

It's hard to see in the pic but is the stylus on the turntable arm? I see what looks like a white colored one laying to the right of the turntable. It could also be a spare. Maybe try swapping them to troubleshoot.

I would mess around with the buttons and sliders on the component above the EQ. The phono button may not be working correctly. Click another button and then click the phono button again. I can't quite see all the button labels to the right. I think I see a loudness and hi-filter you could try as well as the volume slider. It looks like it has two speaker outputs. Have you tried both?

Would something like this have a phono pre-amp? If so it could be suspect but repairing is way beyond my knowledge.

Those are the things I would try to troubleshoot. I've never messed with the electronics inside so someone else would have to help.

 

[RWV]

Man did I love window shopping for these as a kid.

I don't know much about this stuff so I'm posting what I would try. Did the turntable work before it got to you?

It's hard to see in the pic but is the stylus on the turntable arm? I see what looks like a white colored one laying to the right of the turntable. It could also be a spare. Maybe try swapping them to troubleshoot.

I would mess around with the buttons and sliders on the component above the EQ. The phono button may not be working correctly. Click another button and then click the phono button again. I can't quite see all the button labels to the right. I think I see a loudness and hi-filter you could try as well as the volume slider. It looks like it has two speaker outputs. Have you tried both?

Would something like this have a phono pre-amp? If so it could be suspect but repairing is way beyond my knowledge.

Those are the things I would try to troubleshoot. I've never messed with the electronics inside so someone else would have to help.

Thanks Shark. I have swapped needles and they all work the same. Have tried all buttons on off multiple times in as many configs as I can think of. It must have a preamp as it’s a direct plug for the RCA jacks. There are two sets of those and have tried them both with the same results, and they did work on phono before travel to my shop. It’s possible something was jostled loose.

Thanks for the ideas, will keep chasing it as I finish the build on the speakers. Guess I can always buy a new turntable and pre amp as a last resort.

Thanks again!