The "Bathtub" Turntable - Optonica RP-4705 direct drive full auto beast

[@kylealsberry8602]

I followed your instructions each step of the process, The tonearm is fully functioning now !! There was lots of old lubricant in the gears. Much appreciated 👏🏾

[@Sunnbobb]

Great video. I've had one of these for years. The motor does not make any noise.

[@tonyincavo602]

Thanks, I have a RP4705 with the same problem. A little gear cleaning and fresh lube working great again. Who would have thunk forty year old grease was the problem.

[@vonster22]

i just got one of theses from an estate sale..serviced it like you did and the thing is mint....love it....would love to see a full service done...

[@xmvirus202]

Great video Andy! I picked one of these up yesterday at a flea market for 15.00 with a Grado GF-4 (?) cartridge and everything works! I also have a Kenwood KD-500 (granite) that I bought for 12.99. ❤️🙏

[@Mat-x6m]

I was recently gifted one from my father. Same type of issues. Thanks for the video 👍

[@kappandrew1]

Mine started having the issue again. I think I'm going to make a video on how to "for sure" fix the issue.

[@garysimmons4323]

Considering that these turntables were made in 1977-1980, it is astonishing that they still work so well. I have the RP7100 with the track selector function and its just a joy to use, but the motor that drives the arm is a bit noisy..has been since I bought it new when I was 16..and now I am 60! But for something that is 46 years old, don't they look amazing. Optonica was Sharps higher end product, and you could get the entire set of Amp, Tuner, Cassette and Speakers to go with the TT.

[@JoeOrber]

This is a beautiful turntable, congratulations! Great video too 👍

[@mzikmund1]

Thanks for posting, great video.

[@crimsonghost6454]

Just found your channel. Looks cool. I have done many old tables and often they just need cleaned,oiled,and adjusted. My last one was a Technics that had speed issues. I sprayed deoxit in the speed adjuster potentiometer and now it's perfect. I bought it for $5 and was going to harvest parts but now it's a runner. I love saving old tables. That one you have is awesome. I really like the glass top.

[@ddpg3]

That is a great looking turntable!! Like you I have let turntables go I wish I hadn't.

[@richardmorgan1588]

What a remarkable and unique turntable! Thanks for posting!

[@peterlarkin762]

That arm motor needs reassembly.... Take apart ( requires bending the tabs back and dremeling out the plastic nibs), clean the bushes and stator, clean the fixed bearing at the bottom and add a teeny bit of oil. Put epoxy on the case tabs when done. I've done a few, it'll stop being noisy and have more torque. Also double check the voltage at the motor when it's on. Premium early 80s turntables are the best, once restored. Modern entry level turntables are really crap and lacking features. I got a direct drive Sony ps-t33 for €30, I rebuilt tonearm and bearings, new silver wiring, full restored and calibrated ... I had no idea records could sound so good. I've heard some nice vintage and new belt drive TTs since but they just dont compare in numerous ways.

[@cnhhnc]

Pretty cool table there. Definitely a keeper! I have a Dual Direct Drive that's been serviced but it often has a problem returning to the start position and shutting down. The tone arm gets to the end of the record, lifts up but falls back on the record about half way instead of returning to the start position. I've heard that there is some kind of rubber piece that disintegrates and needs to be replaced here. I'm not a tech so I haven't bothered. The table runs fine otherwise, it starts, plays straight through and speed is good. So I just listen for the end and return the arm myself when this happens. Not a major problem as long as you can get a full side play. Which it does fine.

[@kappandrew1]

Ah! that's the stuperpiple! This is a great video with some solid close-ups on how to change that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5SweXV6npV2ibs

[@VinylShack]

If your voice is being picked up through the stylus and being played through the speakers, imagine what it's doing when it's playing music. It's not because the stylus is very sensitive. There is something else going on there.

[@scottstrang1583]

Longines Symphonette LP? Sharps Optonica line had a lot of nice stuff. They had a PCM processor, too.

[@Vintage-Tech]

The reason for the recessed design, glass lid and slim headshell is because this same case and deck was used on other versions of this deck that have a track skipping and location function "APLD" and included a separate arm along side the tone arm with a sensor added to detect the tracks on records, because of the close proximity of the sensor to cartridge the headshell included with his deck was a slimmer than normal version although a standard headshell could be fitted to your model. The glass lid which is also tinted and the recessed deck is to reduce the amount of light that could fall on the sensor arm which would help it be more accurate in detecting the spaces between tracks. I imagine to save on production costs they just used this same case and deck design. I have the Optonica RP 7100 which usages the same deck and case and I love it!

[@kappandrew1]

That’s a really really good summary! Thanks! I turned around and got the APLD model after making this video. I’m planning to do a video on it sometime soon…

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

a brand, we don't see everyday

[@TexTom1981]

I worked at Best Products way back and Sharp cassette decks were fairly popular in the showroom. Not bad units at all.

[@Thetimeisnow78]

Great video. I came across an optonica rp3300. I could not find any info on it. Have you heard of it? You seem extremely knowledgeable, and so figured I would I ask

[@taineasy]

Do you have the 4705 or the 4705C? I have the 4705C since new and have never had an issue. Like the sound of it better than my Pioneer PL-570

[@AndyBHome]

Optonica was Sharp's upscale brand. Just as Panasonic had created a pro/audiophile brand with Technics, Sharp created the Optonica brand to sell higher quality, higher fidelity audio gear to HiFi enthusiasts. It was pretty nice stuff but it never reached the audience or offered as many iconic pieces as Technics did.

[@kappandrew1]

Didn't sharp or panasonic create some killer CD players as well... or am I thinking of philips?

[@AndyBHome]

@@kappandrew1 I do believe that a lot of people held Philips CD players in high regard, not least because they were the coinventors of the format. Panasonic certainly made some good players, but in the US they would almost certainly have been branded as Technics. That doesn't mean that Americans never saw a Panasonic branded CD player of high quality, but it was likely originally made to be sold somewhere else. Sharp made plenty of good stuff from what I remember. They weren't into the high end of audio for long though and I don't remember any CD players. But my memory is certainly not authoritative on this. One brand I will mention is Radio Shack's house brand - Realistic. They were, like everything else they offered, inconsistent. But at the higher end, Realistic CD players were quite decent. Their portable CD Walkman competitor was one of the best portable CD players made, especially in terms of sound quality and reliability, if not appearances. As for turntables, I know Realistic offered some decent but cheap turntables. I don't remember any good turntables in their lineup, but they must have made them. My first turntable was a Realistic. It was not great. I do know that Radio Shack sold Dual turntables, at least for a little while, and those were excellent mass produced turntables in my opinion.

[@pcallas66]

I wonder if the Optonica is to Sharp as Technics is to Panasonic. Sharp may be the parent company but Optonica may be their flagship line. It's just a guess though.

[@jonvincentmusic]

For context the platter weight of a classic Goldring GL75 turntable is 9lbs.

[@DubDado]

hello. have this Optonica with the same issue. thank you

[@DavidBerquist334]

I have a lot of optical equipment and it is made by sharp and it's the higher end sharp equipment

[@bubbamike]

Optoncia was Sharps high end brand.

[@rogerchurch3804]

guess u didn't know optonica is sharps more higher end line the gear is great quality almost over built stuff you haven't even seen some of sharps high end cassette decks from 80s really amazing !

[@spacemissing]

I worked in a store that sold Optonica. Too bad Sharp didn't keep at it. Some of the products were pretty good, and most were nice-looking. But their turntables left a LOT to be desired.

[@kappandrew1]

Did you work there when they had the cd and tape deck component stack? I bought one of those and hope to do the video soon… it’s a cool unit!

[@spacemissing]

@@kappandrew1 The store closed before CDs were on the market.

[@erin19030]

Ehat are you using for a stylus? It sounds like an old rusty nail.

[@kappandrew1]

Yes, it is… I found it on the side of the road.

[@alexmoorehead9636]

Optonica was sharps higher end brand.

[@EsotericArctos]

I always was under the impression that Optonica was a division of Sharp very similar to how Technics was a division of National Panasonic. I don't see Optonica as a rebadge, anymore than Technics is a rebadge. I had a Sharp Optonica cassette deck many many years ago, and there are a few vintage receivers under the Optonica branding, always a division of Sharp. I do regret getting rid of the Optonica cassette deck to be honest. Personal preference. I still prefer Technics. But it could be a Ford/GM battle in some ways, Optonica are very well made, the higher end side of Sharp. Old lubricant is a killer on most vintage turntables and cassette decks also. You really have make sure it is cleaned properly to keep them reliable.

[@kappandrew1]

Funny you mention cassette decks... I just got a cd/tape stack that is optonica! I'm planning to do a video on it soon. the cassette deck is a stacked style (one door, two cassettes, two heads, two drives, etc.). I'm excited to work on it!!!

[@MuzikJunky]

Technics is still owned by Matsushita, though. Peace.

[@RUfromthe40s]

Correct ,Matsushita released the brand National ,than ,National Panasonic ,than Panasonic ,only then Technics by panasonic as it says on early technics components, also depending on the country, the best sold brand is used from the 3 last designations, i also bought in 79 or 80 a top of the range Optonica component system with a mini sharp logo underneath Optonica, the deck still today is being sold expensive, normally with the clock crystal liquid broken or just not working for living batteries for a long period of time and they opened and relesed acid, had a turntable that when it worked was incredible good ,not a tangentional one but a S-shaped arm with linear tracking for the accuracy of the needle against the groove ,also had a tangentional turntable that when it arrived to the end of side A it returned and go under the record to listen to side B ,both broke, also all components had a large cable in the back that conected to a component that said remote control and from that component one could have a cable with a large section with a remote control at the end, going to your hands and control from there all components, regards

[@RUfromthe40s]

the turntables from sharp or optonica are very good when new but in a couple of years no more TT

[@60gregma]

Optonica was Sharp's premium brand. This was kind of common back in the day. Even Sears did this with their LXI brand. RCA had ProScan as their premium line toward the end. Ironically the ProScan line was bought by Curtis International and they are now low end budget products. I think a lot of people confuse Optinica with Optimus, Radio Shack's house brand that replaced Realistic.

[@satanofficial3902]

So where are the rubber duckies? "Once you go full rubber ducky, you never go back." ---Albert Einstein

[@satanofficial3902]

"I like to always wear a rubber ducky on my head because it makes me look suave and sophisticated."." ---Albert Einstein

[@satanofficial3902]

Ancient astronaut theorists say yes!

[@davidmorgen4558]

Ever come across vintage H.K. Turntables ?

[@kappandrew1]

Can't say that I have. I went out and looked for "H.K. turntable" on eBay and didn't even see any...

[@davidmorgen4558]

@@kappandrew1 Hard to find but worth the effort they sound great!

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@kappandrew1 lot´s of good brands today don´t appear on Ebay, like phase linear , Revox that some components appear rarelly but normally reel decks or cassette deck ,but revox as lot´s of series and just one or two series appear like the smi-professional line or home versions of the smi-professional line ,not refering to studer and many, many, many, more brands ,normally high-quality ones

[@jamesm90]

What's 3 pounds in normal weights? That motor looks a like a cassette tape deck motor, Optonica cheaped out there. The Technics direct drives are a totally different league of quality. I guess you get what you pay for.

[@peterlarkin762]

Lol that's an auxiliary motor. The direct drive motor is under the spindle, very high quality... And of course you get what you pay for. This will destroy cheaper technics tables. It depends on the model. Brands like this are actually way better value as the prices aren't inflated.

[@Thievius333]

Oh, I thought there was gonna be rubber duckies swimming around the platter. WORST TURNTABLE EVAR! No but seriously, what a unique, cool design. And by Sharp, no less.

[@RUfromthe40s]

EVER OR EVA

[@RUfromthe40s]

you didn´t knew Optonica was from Sharp?all this suspense for nothing ,normally a litle logo of sharp was under the Optonica branded components, so tiny that you couldn´t read sharp . I thought you were gonna say that it could put water on the turntable because once in a new years eve somewhere in the 80´s champagne was all over the room and because i was responsable for the music, i put the song desire from bob dylan, to enjoy the passage of another year with time , when i notice the sound of the record was so clean , but the record was in bad condition ,when looking to the record it was playing with a buble of champagne on top , that´s when i discover that if you put a liquid on top of a bad record it plays like new and being Sharp so inovating ,i thought this turntable could have water on it to play records without a single noise, more or less like Sony , Inovating but garbage

[@cayoharksen]

**VOCÉ TROVA MAIS DO QUE RESOLVE, SÓ TEVE MUSICA DE FUNDO E VOCÊ ""PARLANDO""😡**

[@johnlupo3919]

STOP SAYING "SO" & "HERE" & AH & UM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE KNOW IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@erin19030]

Its all junk from the orient