Realistic SCR-6

[baddboybill]

Pause issue is most likely the old grease has almost hardened and needs to be fully cleaned with rubbing alcohol and fresh grease applied. To do this you must take deck out and may need to remove some parts to get under the pause mech. I actually had to do this with the GE 5286 that Chris now owns. As for power switch you might be able to get off of another parts unit. Not sure why but the GE/Realistic models both have these 2 issues always. By parts unit you may be able to use a different box with same switch style as many manufacturers used same parts. I've used many switches off of many different units but they are all same. As long as it has same throw and same amount of legs it will work. Good luck


Bad Boy Bill

 

[DKVII]

Okay, thanks Bad Boy Bill! One more question--is it normal that the Realistic SCR-6 is louder and bassier than the GE 3-5286A that I have? On my 5286, I cannot notice much bass at all, while the Realistic pumps some pretty good bass for its size. I imagine that both are supposed to sound the same or very similar, although Realistic may have been trying to outdo themselves with it.

 

[Reli]

You would need to check if the amps and speakers of those 2 boxes are the same. Maybe Realistic used different ones. If they're the same, then maybe the GE's capacitors are bad.

 

[baddboybill]

I would just assume that all these units were used in different fashions over the years. You can take 3 of the same exact units and all 3 will sound different due to use, storage and how they actually were taken care of. I have heard many M90's and all of them sounded different. Like Reli said updating caps will help in sound quality for sure


Bad Boy Bill

 

[DKVII]

Well, the caps in the GE do look older and more worn than the ones in the Realistic, but that doesn't mean they are, of course. Usage wise, the GE has the problem with the rusty battery compartment like I mentioned in another topic, so perhaps something's wrong inside there as well? Either way, I still love it and hope to fix it up.

 

[baddboybill]

I'm sure age of caps in both units are about same as not many change them. But in all honesty these units are not really worth changing them unless there is a meaning for you.


Bad Boy Bill

 

[k2j]

It always makes me nervous doing cap replacements nowadays. the old caps were built to last.

Do yourself a favor and look up cap death syndrome. A lot of the new caps probably most of the cheap ones are reverse engineered with the wrong chemical makeup and die prematurely. Its a tough call.

And like Bill says, its a huge job (generally), I do, however, like to do the power supply portion (to manage and filter the voltage correctly from the AC conversion to provide a more equal power to down the line components) and the amp section (for dynamic clearity etc), but be sure to use better than quoted specs voltage wise and a known good quality manufacturer (good luck haha).

peace

 

[Alberto]

I've been meaning to order some DeOxit for a long time, but I've never got around to it. The only stuff I can find around here is CRC Electronic Cleaner, so that's what I use. How much better is DeOxit?

This is what I like to use. Give it a try.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/19-640-A-GC-JIFFY-BATH-SHIPS-FROM-THE-USA-/151185622164?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23335d8494

The CRC "QD" contact cleaner is a great product, It leaves no and I mean no residue.

 

[DKVII]

My dad has some of that QD Contact Cleaner! I only see him on the weekends, but maybe it's time this box takes a trip to his house.

 

[DKVII]

So last night, while playing the GE 3-5286A, I noticed the tape deck making a "scraping" noise and it eventually stopped. I didn't make a post about this since I figured it was just a simple belt issue, but it appears I have a bigger problem. One of the little gears was loose and fell off when I opened the baby up. A spring also fell out, although that was most likely my fault. I'll just use the Realistic to figure out where that goes.

As for the gear, is this even fixable? I've been looking in my SCR-6 (exact same everything) and I can't imagine this being a repairable problem. Due to both this and having the rusty battery coils, I'm about to just sell this unit on eBay at a small price for parts, although I'd really rather not.





Or, perhaps, because the Realistic and GE are the same--and the GE looks better--just put the front end of the GE on the Realistic!

 

[DKVII]

Also on another note, I discovered that the difference in volume / bass in these two models is that the speakers are simply different. I plugged the GEs into the Realistic and got less bass output.

 

[Ken]

Realistic =

You would like Modulaires. Three pieces as opposed to a one piece unit, but all have nice sound and crank while the larger ones have some thump to them. All have a very classic "look" to them.

I have a few GE's & Realistics. You would love a Blockbuster!

 

[baddboybill]

Looks to be repairable but it seems to be missing the hold down clip


Bad Boy Bill

 

[DKVII]

Looks to be repairable but it seems to be missing the hold down clip


Bad Boy Bill

That's what I thought. Eh, I'll get around to somehow getting a clip and fixing it. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy the Realistic.