Hello,

Here’s my recent boom box purchase and only second purchase (long way to go compared to some here ) ).
It’s a JVC PC-R55LB.
Ive been looking for an early 80’s unit and models from JVC and some of the Hitachi 3D7’s came to mind. I cant afford a M-90 at what they go for these days, so the ‘55 seem to be second best JVC unit to choose.

Since I have quite a few cassettes, a boombox with good quality tape replay was essential and the design of ’55 definitely fits that bill.

Mine is in overall good condition with a few marks and scratches here and there, but to be expected I guess of a 25 year old machine.

When it arrived it mostly worked, with a few crackles when the switches were operated, but no output from the tape on the right (problem replicated on the handily placed phones socket on the ‘deck – I must add). Since I used to work in electronics I wasn’t too afraid of removed the covers and have a poke inside!
The reason for the lack of sound on the tape was that the three of the wires to the tape head had been cut by being caught on its own mechanism, I think this happened after it left the factory as there was no tie in place to stop the wires moving about and getting caught. This was an easy fix because there was good couple of inches of wire available after coming leaving the heads. I didn’t even need to resort to use new cable.

The LCD was another problem, some of the digits – mostly on the left hand did display, but the right hand side, including the all important peak meter (VU) was out and also the clock / counter didn’t make much sense because it didn’t display minutes! I took the display unit out (a mega big job on this machine) and after much scratching of chin I decided to attempt repair with silver paint, as this part uses flexible plastic ribbon cabling and the interface directly between the display and the cable had failed at three of the corners of the display, where its held on with clear adhesive tape from the factory. After careful application (if anyone wants guidance to do this, I can supply mine) I managed to get the display 90% working. While I was there I also replaced the one working backlight bulb and another blown one with two wide viewing angle LED’s (including padding resistors), (BTW the original fuse style bulbs are unavailable in the UK). I found that I had to position the LED to shine to the side and not directly at the LCD, otherwise I got two round globes appearing as the backlight of the display!

On to the receiver side of things, after much use of an aerosol air duster to remove various dust and detritus, (as unlike the cassette deck the receiver has ventilation slots), I fully “drip” cleaned the facia and all switch tops (which I can assure, there are there are plenty of them to do!). I spayed contact cleaner on the crackly input selector and graphic EQ. switches – which has sorted them out no end, and also into the volume faders, which has improved the low-level volume capability nicely.

The aerials are intact and mostly straight (wohoo).

Now onto the sound, I didn’t have much to reference this against (other than an old JVC RC-S40) and a fully blown separates system, but I have to admit even then I was mildly disappointed. I was expected sharper highs, but I guess that these days I’m so used to hearing soft dome tweeters on just about every loudspeaker system, that the more basic sound of the old style paper cone tweeter made the speakers sound somewhat less detailed than expected. Comparing the mid range also drops the ’55 several points against the RC-40, with its very crisp sounding full paper cones verses the (probably tired by now) foam suspension on the woofers of the ’55.

On the other hand, the bass response is a reasonable and a good indication what can be had from small bass-reflex enclosures. (I may investigate replacement drivers as mentioned on the forum previously, but I fear it may require a long trek to find some that fit exactly).
I haven’t yet tried the boombox at full tilt, and I expect that the bass will improve and become more defined.

I have now figured out mostly how all the functions work – without a manual – although the power switch and its joint standby capability confused me initially! I’ve also managed to set the clock and timer and realised this must be the largest (loudest) clock radio ever made!

And heres a few pictures for your perusal, of the finished article;









My boombox doesn’t have a battery cover so if any one can help me out in this area it would be greatly appreciated (I’ll stick something up on the Boombox parts wanted section in time).

WOW !

An exellent description of a professional repair job - featured !

a great contribution for our tech talk.

thanks a lot!

I forgot to mention the awesome pictures!
indeed well done!

Howdy Phil! I am on my second PC-55 (Sent one to Europe.) and I had the exact same problems with both. The head wires coming loose is a common problem on flip reverse heads. Of course when these were designed I'm sure having them work 25 years or more was not a concern.

I also replaced my speakers as well. The main problem is that the system has far more power than the speakers can handle. That is the nature of most premium component units. There is also cabinet leakage around the port tube built into the faceplate of the speakers that is an easy fix as well. You should be able to address this with no problem using foam, or whatever you deem suitable.

See this link here to a thread I posted about replacing the speakers.

I Found BASS...

Welcome and nice story!

Yeh if you want a top quality cassette mechanism, you'll do better than the Hitachi 3Ds. With one exception they're all non servo & pretty basic. When working properly they sound fine, but they lack the nice features of posher decks (Dolby, etc.). Also, strangely enough many of them have a Cr02/Metal switch, which only works for recording, not playback.

Your JVC is much more like it.

Nice!!! I still love my 55. still in my top 10 for unts. You should try out a panasonic 100 if you like the 55. it will give you more of a kick!!

Thanks for all the generous comments, this forum is truly a great place to be!

Thanks TPR and Erniejade.

Hi Oldskool,

When I looked at the head wires it originally looked like they had pressed between the two metal parts of the mechanism and the case, at the time didn't realise that this was most likely standard problem!


Obviously a before picture!

"having them work 25 years or more was not a concern. Laugh Out Loud"

I to add to that, I didn't think the engineers even concerned themselves with anyone opening the box again after it had left the factory!

Thanks for your link to your speaker mods, some superb ingenious work there! Did you spray the dust cap on the Sony drivers to match the old ones?
I must do some research on whats available locally to the UK.

Thanks again for your helpful comments.

quote:

Originally posted by isolator42:
Yeh if you want a top quality cassette mechanism, you'll do better than the Hitachi 3Ds. With one exception they're all non servo & pretty basic. When working properly they sound fine, but they lack the nice features of posher decks (Dolby, etc.). Also, strangely enough many of them have a Cr02/Metal switch, which only works for recording, not playback.

Your JVC is much more like it.

Hi isolater42,

Thanks for the great comments. I'm sure all this would ring true if I was to compare them back to back, particularly as the JVC is a bit like a separates deck, so its difficult for other boxes to compare to it on similar grounds.

The reason I mentioned the Hitachi is I have always lusted after a 3D (particularly the very first models with the extra chunky styling). Sad recollection time! I remember seeing these for the first time in the electrical department of Boots (Chemist store for those not in the UK) in the early 80's and was bowled over by their styling that was very different to everything else on the market. I remember that they were connected up and the staff didn't mind you playing about with them. Oh idle times!

Strange how the Cr02/ Metal switch only works in record, and on a similar note I could never quite figure out how the chrome pre-recorded tapes that were equalised to be played back in Normal worked either!

Ha, now that's funny. I bought my Hitachi 3D7 from Boots in Kingston Upon Thames in 1987! After a similar amount of mucking about with all the b-boxes on show in Boots, I was settling for a 3D8, but they accidentally pulled an old 3D7 from stock. It was a discontinued model so they threw in a discount. I was over the moon!

I'd very much recommend picking up a Hitachi 3D8 yourself. They usually go pretty cheap on eBay.

Thanks.. Loved the read and pics.

I have a Hitachi TRK-9300W that I replaced the drivers on, but I had to because the foam had fallen apart on the old drivers. I managed to find some replacements from a local place called "Parts Express"(if you Google them you will find their online store). They have a HUGE selection of drivers, mids, and tweeters along with their dimensions(both size and mounting)as well as their performance specification. I am sure they will have something they will fit into yours. Just make sure you get the right ohms.

quote:

Originally posted by phil1212:
Did you spray the dust cap on the Sony drivers to match the old ones?

Nope. Used a silver paint pen.

quote:

Yoshi R55 for Gsx-R 07

i was just about to order a yosh system myself and was wondering if anybody is having any problems with the carbon fiber mufflers . I was told that if they are not repacked often the carbon can over heat and crack .
_____________________________________________________________________
premium rate sms | cheap hotels in thailand | watch house online for free

i've got 3 pc55's,had 4 but one has gone to rimmer..all mine are standard with no mods..one of them i've had since August 1996,i bought it off my friend and he bought it brand new in 82/83,its never skipped a beat,cassette deck lights not blown,no display fade,same belts since new..all its ever needed was switch cleaner once,after that it was back to normal..these a robust boxes and were built to last..

I have one of these,I love the green display it is very heavy,well built sounds great, one of the most expensive boxes made.