Zenith Allegro Wedge Stereo Repair, Restore and overview - JR596W

[@strychnavomica8899]

This is so helpful. My dad and I found one of these at a flea market for $30 over 20 years ago in perfect working order with the speakers. We used it for years. I just recently pulled it out of his basement and both the 8 track and the turntable are no longer working. Now I can fix it myself. Thanks so much!

[@rodneykingston6420]

This was really revolutionary in its day. They used to be an item in the showcase on The Price is Right. I wish I knew what they retailed for when they were introduced. Within a year of their introduction, cheap one-piece phono-radio-8 track and phono-radio-cassette stereos were everywhere. Half the kids in my neighborhood had one in their bedroom. This would have been the luxury version.

[@VTMCompany]

I bought this model new in 1977 at K-Mart for just over $500.

[@rodneykingston6420]

@@VTMCompany Wow! $500 was a LOT of money in 1977.

[@dude8869]

Thanks for the video Rusty! Very cool for anyone finding one of these. @JrGoonior I got one with the 2000 speakers for $50 at an antique store a couple decade ago and only had to refurb the turntable like in this video. Back in the 70's we would never use an automatic changer. We replaced the long stem with a little nipple. Each album would get a light cleaning with a foam wand and light alcohol before gingerly placing it on the turntable. No two records were to ever touch. I still use this stereo everyday.

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

There's no harm in using a changer. This is a standard BSR and won't damage your records.

[@nerkoids]

We had a similar model (no recording function for the 8-track, though). I especially thought the Allegro speakers were quite good (full sound, fairly decent balanced bass and high end.) If ever I come across one, I might consider restoring it thanks to your video!

[@Matrix803]

Nice video! I just won one of these on eBay today actually (for parts/non-working). I had another Zenith Allegro JR587W unit, and it made 8-track tapes sound as good as CD's. Really nice, cool-looking units. :)

[@gregorystiller975]

Excellent find, I just picked up the same model myself. Same issue with the stuck turntable, your video is a real help. Unfortunately no 8 track cassette to test, as the original owner tossed them in the 80s. Radio works fine, and came with original speakers that sound very good amazingly. Keep up the great videos, take care.

[@EBPization]

Great work, loved the to the point explanation and editing. If possible in the future please include any replacement part information in video description.

[@fernandoguzman-ck9sd]

I have the exact unit I have it pair with micro acoustics speakers and it sounds extremely exceptional I'm impressed with the sound quality fills out my 2200 sqf house at low volume and it sounds like you have the artist singing in your home ( with all the instruments)

[@hhvictor2462]

This was the kinda gear many married NCOs would own when I was in the service because they were readily available and sold for cheap at the post exchanges. Panasonics as well.

[@TrojanStarryNight]

This will be very helpful! I just picked up the same unit with the large Zenith speakers last week from my neighbor across the street. He was throwing it out. I too will need to repair the turntable and the 8track. Will definitely order the same belt you use! As soon as it is repaired I will provide you with my update. Thanks so much!

[@MartinSBrown-tp9ji]

Back in the 50s, the popular grease was Lubracate, a white grease that most of the turn table manufactures used. unfortunately after years it dried out and turned to glue. Lithium grease is a good lube and stays well on the bearings.

[@henrybutchy3242]

I am so pleased to find this helpful video. Today I grabbed a freebie. Yep the whole shebang including the wedge stand and the speaker stands. I have "some" mech abilities...more willing than able. This vid cetainly heps. Much love brother man.

[@JrGoonior]

I have one with the original Allegro 2000 Speakers. I too had to free up the turntable and replace the 8 track belt (player only). Biggest headache has been trying to find the drive wheel for the turntable. When my father in law gave it to me a few years ago the turntable was in the play position and now have a notch on the wheel. It all works well and sounds very good, hard to believe it’s only about 15-20 watts per channel, it will practically rattle the windows.I even went to eBay and bought a set of vintage Koss RO727B headphones.

[@timothyweers8054]

I had a Zenith wedge unit, my unit had a 2 by 2 speaker system. I had replaced the record player with my own and didn't bother with the 8-track player because it had the jacks on the back and and aux so I just used an independent 8-track player and a CD disk man. The original record player didn't work right, even with the control arm down, the tonearm would continue to replay record and not shut off. Also, the bass was really high and it had to be down low about 25%. It came with thruster speakers which I ended up purchasing 2 sets of my own speakers.

[@melissaduerksen331]

Just picked up this same model from the Goodwill. First thing I have to fix is the turntable. Thanks for blazing the trail. I could not figure out how to get the pate off to begin with!

[@teddriver_6021]

That is a very well done video. Thanks for posting.

[@akitaroy]

Thanks my man! I’ve got one of these systems and it has helped me with my 8 track! 🤟

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

8:31. That's a roller bearing that follows the groove in the gear, usually frozen! Use heat to free it up. Otherwise it can develop a flat spot.

[@geraldford6409]

Any man who records Atari ST chiptunes onto 8 track, I dare not disappoint

[@cliffordstaten2082]

Zenith Allegro also had a cassette version as well.

[@roberttroxell4006]

My best friend had one of these in the mid-70’s. We used to razz him about not getting component stereo gear instead. He said it sounded good enough to him.

[@martianshoes]

Oh those were so cool....sister’s 2nd husband had one. Not Belles or Krell but worked well... Loaned him my JBL L110s and it fried my tweeters playing Bohemian Rhapsody...

[@bernietraplin9815]

Very helpful , just picked up a Allegro wedge and now Im armed with some knowledge . 8 track in mine is also not working so it looks like it will be a new belt also .

[@VinceCat1969]

Awesome job, I have the same exact system and the 8 track does not either, how did you remove the front bezels. I tried pulling them but they don’t budge and I didn’t want to break them

[@stylinghead]

What is that killer chiptune you got in the background!?!

[@elainelevenseller5568]

I have had my Wedge since it first came out around 1974. I have followed your instructions on cleaning and getting my turntable to turn again and now im on the 8 track player. The belt was shot and melted on to other parts. Mine says it is a Model # GR596W not the JR like the one you were working on. WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE 8 TRACK BELT. I CANNOT FIND ONE AND NOW MY KEYBOARD IS STUCK ON CAPS. THANK-YOU SO MUCH, ELAINE

[@jamesveach6918]

I was 16 years old when i seen this stereo it was $499.97 new to much for my pockets then but i all ways like this stereo and it,s looks.

[@LarryRobinsonintothefog]

Thought I worked on a RCA Alegra back in the 70's, but guess it was a Zenith Alegro. Awesome design, but don't remember why it stood out or the problem.

[@bassdude1978]

Just bought one of these on Ebay -needs a good cleaning as like yours. Can you answer to me - Do the silver bezels for 8 track, radio and controls just pop off or are they fastened in place?

[@litoboy5]

Cool

[@randycadwell4599]

I too had this as a teenager and recently found one at an antique shop. This video will help a lot. What did you clean the system with?

[@jameslaidler2152]

Is that turntable direct drive? Dodnt think BSR made those. If so, is it friction drive or an actual motor driving the spindle? Brush motor?

[@bassdude1978]

hello i see one on ebay now with no needle- would you know a part number for the stylis this would need? There is none on the player now . Thanks Steve

[@elizabethbaxter8893]

Thanks this was super helpful! What did you use to clean off the old lubricant?

[@timlazurka1465]

Hi great video I have same one . Wonder if you have a fix for the FM. Everything comes in loud and clear except fm volume is really low.? Ideas?

[@MrAntuan228]

👍 nice

[@jasonadams371]

I just got one of these units given to me the sound is fantastic from the radio unfortunately the 8 track also needs a belt and the turntable needs some love as well just haven't gotten to it

[@lisagorog3894]

I am so glad I found your video! I just got one of these. It worked perfectly until I messed with the screw at the base of the tonearm. Now, the tone arm tries to move over to play the record...but it stops and moves back to its rest. Do you know how I can fix this? Thank you!

[@lisagorog3894]

Argh - I kept messing with it & the tone arm came off. I need to figure out how to put it back on. Yikes

[@Davidferrell1964]

I’m curious about the MCA record that started… the guitar intro sounded a lot like an Ernest Tubb song… What was that record?

[@edwardberlovan3670]

Have the same model. No power to the radio, 8 track player, but the record player spins and that is all. Lights do not come on and no sound, is it the transformer and where can I purchase one. Thanks in advance.

[@tn6844]

I have an identical model but it needs a new cartridge and needle. It looks like there used to be labels but they have fallen off. Could you give me any info off of the cartridge and/or needle?

[@VTMCompany]

This model had a Shure magnetic cartridge with N75C stylus.

[@jornbates]

Hey what about the speed selector. I changed it from 33 to 78 and now it is stuck at 78 and the switch moves freely and does not engage. HELP

[@johnalbanese30]

First remove the wheel, B.S.R changes use acam to move the wheel. With on hand pull up the assembly and put a drop of oil on the assembly. Put a drop of oil on the cam, and slowly twist it back and forth,also lube the teeth on the speed change leaver. That should loosen up the speed change assembly.

[@ozzieo4341]

I have this exact unit, but unfortunately the radio backlight went out. If anyone has any tips please put in comments.

[@VTMCompany]

Mine runs TOO FAST. Is there a way to slow the turntable to acceptable 33 1/3 rotation?

[@xaenon]

It's a chronic problem with BSR changers. There is a 'fix' of sorts, but it's non-reversible and if you do it wrong you can end up with a record player that's forever too slow.

[@VTMCompany]

@@xaenon Um, just to be on the safe(r) side, I use a 1.65 record weight. Of course it does nothing to achieve a perfect speed. Didn't BSR set the motors to 50 Hz instead of 60 Hz and Zenith plus other American manufacturers just didn't care?

[@xaenon]

@@VTMCompany It isn't that they 'set' the motor for those frequencies. It's just the nature of the motor itself. It's a bit involved, so bear with me.... Most BSRs and other autochangers run from a 2-pole AC synchronous motor. The speed of that type of motor is dependent upon the frequency of the line voltage supplied. A 2-pole synchronous AC motor will run at 3600 rpm on a 60 hz system, but only 3000 rpm on a 50 hz system. Of course, the motor's core winding must also be wired for the appropriate voltage. To compensate for the different speeds of the motor on different power systems, the motor would be fitted with a different 'stepped spindle' at the end of its shaft. The UK version, for example, would be 20% larger in diameter(s) than its US counterpart. And that kind of difference would not just be a 'little' fast or slow if run on the wrong frequency. It would be unlistenable. But this isn't the reason BSR speeds are chronically fast. It's just that those stepped spindles are machined slightly too large. Allegedly it was to account for additional record weight of changers, as well as the slight drag of the needle, and the logic was better 'slightly fast' than 'slow'. But I suspect that's just a cover story. The bottom line is BSRs were mass-produced, hundreds an hour, and the kind of machine tolerances needed for precise speed just weren't feasible to manufacture in high-quantity production. Which leads me to the 'fix' I mentioned. Pull the platter off the changer, switch the motor on, and using sandpaper, sand down the spindle at each step. You have to go very slow, work a little at a time, reinstall the platter, check the results, rinse, lather, repeat until you've got the thing turning at the correct speed. Overshoot, and it will be permanently slow. You'd be taking off a very, VERY small amount of material. It's part of why people who are serious about their records generally avoid these old changers. The speed is usually slightly off, and there's no practical way to adjust it. Instead, belt drive with DC motors is preferred (because you can adjust a DC motor speed very easily), or direct drive turntables. Some turntables, like the U-Turn Orbit (among others), are powered by synchronous motors, believe it or not - but instead of the old 2-pole things like a BSR, they use a 24-pole, low-voltage motor which spins at only 300 rpm. The motor pulley for the belt in the U-Turn Orbit is precision manufactured to ensure correct platter speed. I love these old autochangers, but I've learned to live with the record playing a teensy bit fast when using them. I regard it as just part of their charm. If I want to hear the record at the precise speed, I turn to my more modern gear.

[@VTMCompany]

@@xaenon Great to finally know the definitive answer. As a teen, I bought a new 1974 Zenith Allegro Prestwick model and knew right away it was playing too fast. Took it to a Zenith dealer with complaint. Unit returned to me 'unfixed'...dealer was clueless. Actually these Zenith models were not cheap, moneywise. I later got the upgraded 1977 Wedge brand new with Shure magnetic cartridge. The issue still hadn't been fixed. This unit cost just over $500 (including speakers) at K-Mart at the time. It's a real shame that Zenith didn't include a strobe with these Allegros, especially since the company previously featured speed variation control on lesser units. I now have a refurbished Wedge with an upgraded Shure Jico N-75 ED II SAS-B stylus. I prefer its warm sound any day over my new supposed high-end systems. I find it's best to play classical albums over vocals to compensate for my being able to audibly detect the bothersome (to me!) speed that's faster than 33 1/3 rpm.

[@xaenon]

@@VTMCompany Those old Zenith variable-speed things you're referring to were a weird combination idler/belt drive. The motor in them was pretty much a standard AC synchronous unit, but they had a belt between the motor and the idler. Both pulleys were conical-shaped, one inverted, and the belt stretched between them. By moving the belt up or down, it altered the ratio between the motor and the idler shaft. It is similar to the concept of the variable-ratio transmission used in some cars today. Zenith did this in response to the format wars of the late 1940s. There was concern that more record speeds would be introduced. Conveniently ignoring, of course, that it was Zenith itself who had introduced the notorious 'fourth speed' for the consumer market, 16 2/3 rpm in 1950/1951. The 'any speed' feature was basically touted as a 'future proof' system; it was capable of any speed from 10 to 85 rpm, if I remember correctly, and had premarked positions for 16, 33, 45, and 78. I only saw the mechanism in one of those 'any speed' things up close ONCE. I was fascinated by the design. It was probably ridiculously expensive to manufacture, and that is probably why the feature died out pretty quickly.

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

Those machines are actually called record changers, not turntables.

[@greggreed5409]

What's the difference between a JR596W and a HR596W?

[@Meridian83West]

I think the first letter designates the production year. I was checking some of these out on eBay, and nearly all of the JR596W's seem to have the BSR turntable fitted with the Shure magnetic cartridge. My dad had the HR596W, but his model had a Tetrad ceramic cartridge in its BSR turntable with a different style pickup arm. At the same time I've seen some HR's on eBay with the Shure cartridge, so I'm guessing they may have switched from the Tetrad to the Shure cartridge sometime in the middle of production of the HR's.

[@yaboidustin2447]

I wish I could give you 1000 dollars right now, I'm having the same problems you are with a different model and I don't know how to get the 8 track deck out

[@bobjerome5390]

hi picked up a deck like this 9t had a duel 8 track deck i pulled it apart sold the unit as units as case with very bad record player radio amp 8 track player i did get better money this way some people bet the case wet and fulling apart

[@AnchorRlty]

I have one of these and had to buy a new stylus, but I don't know how to install it.... does anyone know how?

[@TIstompsUout]

archive.org/details/OperatingGuideAndWarrantyZenithAllegroSolid-stateConsoleStereo/page/n11/mode/2up