MODEL # 4VF096 S/N 1418663 631804
I just inherited an RCA cabinet stereo/HIFI/AM/FM/Phono Model 4VF096. It is a tube set so I guess from the early ‘60s? The last owner (in her 80s) has had it forever and, perhaps from new, and used the phono often until just a few months ago. The unit now makes a very loud hum/vibration from both speakers as soon as you plug it in. No matter what position the Selector is in. So loud that you can hardly hear the radio when it is turned to max volume. If I unplug the speakers the noise will stop so it is the speakers vibrating.
Coincidently, the pull switch that says “ON-PULL-VOLUME” doesn’t’ seem to turn the unit off or on anymore. It feels normal when you pull it out or push it in but it doesn’t control anything. I must pull the plug to turn it off.
I know from lurking about this Forum that these old units have little value but the cabinet has been well taken care of and I would like to use the phono if I could repair it. I have very little electronics experience and usually have just thrown new tubes at things and hoped for the best so it there are some simple things I can check on this unit I would appreciate the advice. Here is a list of the tubes it has;
12AX7A=R, L Chan, AF Ampl
6AU6A= FM Limiter
6BA6 (three)= 1st and 2nd AM/FM Ampl, AM RF Ampl
6BE6= AM Conv
6C9=FM RF Ampl & Conv
6BQ5 (two)= left and right Output
Thanks to everyone who is involved in this awesome Forum. I find that Forums are one of the most useful things to come out of the Internet. Whether it is a question about my truck or piano or radio or genealogy someone has already had the same problem and has offered me wonderful advice. Thank you for maintaining this site. It is a great service and resource.
:RCA STEREO-HI-FI VICTROLA W/ AM/FM/PHONO
:MODEL # 4VF096 S/N 1418663 631804
:
:I just inherited an RCA cabinet stereo/HIFI/AM/FM/Phono Model 4VF096. It is a tube set so I guess from the early ‘60s? The last owner (in her 80s) has had it forever and, perhaps from new, and used the phono often until just a few months ago. The unit now makes a very loud hum/vibration from both speakers as soon as you plug it in. No matter what position the Selector is in. So loud that you can hardly hear the radio when it is turned to max volume. If I unplug the speakers the noise will stop so it is the speakers vibrating.
:
:Coincidently, the pull switch that says “ON-PULL-VOLUME” doesn’t’ seem to turn the unit off or on anymore. It feels normal when you pull it out or push it in but it doesn’t control anything. I must pull the plug to turn it off.
:
:I know from lurking about this Forum that these old units have little value but the cabinet has been well taken care of and I would like to use the phono if I could repair it. I have very little electronics experience and usually have just thrown new tubes at things and hoped for the best so it there are some simple things I can check on this unit I would appreciate the advice. Here is a list of the tubes it has;
:
:12AX7A=R, L Chan, AF Ampl
:6AU6A= FM Limiter
:6BA6 (three)= 1st and 2nd AM/FM Ampl, AM RF Ampl
:6BE6= AM Conv
:6C9=FM RF Ampl & Conv
:6BQ5 (two)= left and right Output
:
:Thanks to everyone who is involved in this awesome Forum. I find that Forums are one of the most useful things to come out of the Internet. Whether it is a question about my truck or piano or radio or genealogy someone has already had the same problem and has offered me wonderful advice. Thank you for maintaining this site. It is a great service and resource.
:
If anyone finds a schematic, please share it. I think Edd has a drawing for everytning, including the radios on that Noah used on his floating zoo.
Lewis
As far as the hum, it sounds as though you need to first replace the electrolytic filter capacitors before firing up the stereo again. Unfortunately I don't have a print for this one to tell you exactly which ones to start with, someone else may know. For the power switch, I would guess that either the switch contacts have internally 'welded' together or there is another mechanical problem in the mechanism. I've had some luck with rotary volume controls with sticky switches by finding a spot to get a cleaner such as DeOxit sprayed inside of it and working the switch a few times.
:
::RCA STEREO-HI-FI VICTROLA W/ AM/FM/PHONO
::MODEL # 4VF096 S/N 1418663 631804
::
::I just inherited an RCA cabinet stereo/HIFI/AM/FM/Phono Model 4VF096. It is a tube set so I guess from the early ‘60s? The last owner (in her 80s) has had it forever and, perhaps from new, and used the phono often until just a few months ago. The unit now makes a very loud hum/vibration from both speakers as soon as you plug it in. No matter what position the Selector is in. So loud that you can hardly hear the radio when it is turned to max volume. If I unplug the speakers the noise will stop so it is the speakers vibrating.
::
::Coincidently, the pull switch that says “ON-PULL-VOLUME” doesn’t’ seem to turn the unit off or on anymore. It feels normal when you pull it out or push it in but it doesn’t control anything. I must pull the plug to turn it off.
::
::I know from lurking about this Forum that these old units have little value but the cabinet has been well taken care of and I would like to use the phono if I could repair it. I have very little electronics experience and usually have just thrown new tubes at things and hoped for the best so it there are some simple things I can check on this unit I would appreciate the advice. Here is a list of the tubes it has;
::
::12AX7A=R, L Chan, AF Ampl
::6AU6A= FM Limiter
::6BA6 (three)= 1st and 2nd AM/FM Ampl, AM RF Ampl
::6BE6= AM Conv
::6C9=FM RF Ampl & Conv
::6BQ5 (two)= left and right Output
::
::Thanks to everyone who is involved in this awesome Forum. I find that Forums are one of the most useful things to come out of the Internet. Whether it is a question about my truck or piano or radio or genealogy someone has already had the same problem and has offered me wonderful advice. Thank you for maintaining this site. It is a great service and resource.
::
If I can locate Deoxit I will try it in the switch. I don't see any easy way to get at the switch to remove it to check it mechanically. I assume this product will not short anything out?
************
:Hmmmmm (pun intended) I haven't foune a schematic for this beast, but the hum starts as soon as it is plugged in, without tube warmup? Pull the output tubes and see what happens then. You don't list a rectifier tube, so you might have selenium or silicon solid state. Check it or them for shorted.
:If anyone finds a schematic, please share it. I think Edd has a drawing for everytning, including the radios on that Noah used on his floating zoo.
:Lewis
:
:
:
:As far as the hum, it sounds as though you need to first replace the electrolytic filter capacitors before firing up the stereo again. Unfortunately I don't have a print for this one to tell you exactly which ones to start with, someone else may know. For the power switch, I would guess that either the switch contacts have internally 'welded' together or there is another mechanical problem in the mechanism. I've had some luck with rotary volume controls with sticky switches by finding a spot to get a cleaner such as DeOxit sprayed inside of it and working the switch a few times.
::
:::RCA STEREO-HI-FI VICTROLA W/ AM/FM/PHONO
:::MODEL # 4VF096 S/N 1418663 631804
:::
:::I just inherited an RCA cabinet stereo/HIFI/AM/FM/Phono Model 4VF096. It is a tube set so I guess from the early ‘60s? The last owner (in her 80s) has had it forever and, perhaps from new, and used the phono often until just a few months ago. The unit now makes a very loud hum/vibration from both speakers as soon as you plug it in. No matter what position the Selector is in. So loud that you can hardly hear the radio when it is turned to max volume. If I unplug the speakers the noise will stop so it is the speakers vibrating.
:::
:::Coincidently, the pull switch that says “ON-PULL-VOLUME” doesn’t’ seem to turn the unit off or on anymore. It feels normal when you pull it out or push it in but it doesn’t control anything. I must pull the plug to turn it off.
:::
:::I know from lurking about this Forum that these old units have little value but the cabinet has been well taken care of and I would like to use the phono if I could repair it. I have very little electronics experience and usually have just thrown new tubes at things and hoped for the best so it there are some simple things I can check on this unit I would appreciate the advice. Here is a list of the tubes it has;
:::
:::12AX7A=R, L Chan, AF Ampl
:::6AU6A= FM Limiter
:::6BA6 (three)= 1st and 2nd AM/FM Ampl, AM RF Ampl
:::6BE6= AM Conv
:::6C9=FM RF Ampl & Conv
:::6BQ5 (two)= left and right Output
:::
:::Thanks to everyone who is involved in this awesome Forum. I find that Forums are one of the most useful things to come out of the Internet. Whether it is a question about my truck or piano or radio or genealogy someone has already had the same problem and has offered me wonderful advice. Thank you for maintaining this site. It is a great service and resource.
:::
:
:If I can locate Deoxit I will try it in the switch. I don't see any easy way to get at the switch to remove it to check it mechanically. I assume this product will not short anything out?
:************
:
::Hmmmmm (pun intended) I haven't foune a schematic for this beast, but the hum starts as soon as it is plugged in, without tube warmup? Pull the output tubes and see what happens then. You don't list a rectifier tube, so you might have selenium or silicon solid state. Check it or them for shorted.
::If anyone finds a schematic, please share it. I think Edd has a drawing for everytning, including the radios on that Noah used on his floating zoo.
::Lewis
::
::
::
::As far as the hum, it sounds as though you need to first replace the electrolytic filter capacitors before firing up the stereo again. Unfortunately I don't have a print for this one to tell you exactly which ones to start with, someone else may know. For the power switch, I would guess that either the switch contacts have internally 'welded' together or there is another mechanical problem in the mechanism. I've had some luck with rotary volume controls with sticky switches by finding a spot to get a cleaner such as DeOxit sprayed inside of it and working the switch a few times.
:::
::::RCA STEREO-HI-FI VICTROLA W/ AM/FM/PHONO
::::MODEL # 4VF096 S/N 1418663 631804
::::
::::I just inherited an RCA cabinet stereo/HIFI/AM/FM/Phono Model 4VF096. It is a tube set so I guess from the early ‘60s? The last owner (in her 80s) has had it forever and, perhaps from new, and used the phono often until just a few months ago. The unit now makes a very loud hum/vibration from both speakers as soon as you plug it in. No matter what position the Selector is in. So loud that you can hardly hear the radio when it is turned to max volume. If I unplug the speakers the noise will stop so it is the speakers vibrating.
::::
::::Coincidently, the pull switch that says “ON-PULL-VOLUME” doesn’t’ seem to turn the unit off or on anymore. It feels normal when you pull it out or push it in but it doesn’t control anything. I must pull the plug to turn it off.
::::
::::I know from lurking about this Forum that these old units have little value but the cabinet has been well taken care of and I would like to use the phono if I could repair it. I have very little electronics experience and usually have just thrown new tubes at things and hoped for the best so it there are some simple things I can check on this unit I would appreciate the advice. Here is a list of the tubes it has;
::::
::::12AX7A=R, L Chan, AF Ampl
::::6AU6A= FM Limiter
::::6BA6 (three)= 1st and 2nd AM/FM Ampl, AM RF Ampl
::::6BE6= AM Conv
::::6C9=FM RF Ampl & Conv
::::6BQ5 (two)= left and right Output
::::
::::Thanks to everyone who is involved in this awesome Forum. I find that Forums are one of the most useful things to come out of the Internet. Whether it is a question about my truck or piano or radio or genealogy someone has already had the same problem and has offered me wonderful advice. Thank you for maintaining this site. It is a great service and resource.
::::
Looks like that unit is a final spin off of the initial economy series of a wooden cabineted "portables " with a lift up top and had a fabulous tone to it, even if it was just mono back then. . . .beat the socks off of other brands portables ! Yours, of course, having a tuner also and being full power transformer operated, all in a small consolette cabinet.
Also, your 64-65 set is using a larger 10 in woofer, but still using those great little hard coned tweeter pairs that RCA has used since the 55-57 units mentioned.
Your initial problem should be the deterioration of the main voltage doubling capacitors in the unit as I have shown on the schema thumbnail of the power supply and power amp section, as the tuner section will probably not be of any concern. Those units are C83[BLUE] and C82 [RED] . . . strap mounted. . . cardboard covered tubular dry electrolytic capacitors.
HOPEFULLY after pulling those completely out of the wiring circuitry and replacing them, your HuuMMMMMMMMMMMM problem will be gone.
If you are lucky ?, the massive 4 section alummminninnyum-yum can unit, C84 [MAGENTA], might still have a bit of life left in it.
A listening test for hum should let you know, after C82 and 83 have initially been replaced.
If in for a complete restoration, that C84 unit would be needing replacement via the use of 4 separate units mounted under the chassis to terminal strips in the ample room still left under there.
You would then be lifting the relevant wiring one section at a time and transferring to its assigned replacement electrolytic section.
As for your mentioning of the main concerted effort in initially getting the Pony-Graf section operational . . . .I would bet $1-kilobux to 'lebenteen gross of Dunkin' Do-nuttz. . . . .that you do NOT have a bad pushing –pulling "powder†switch on the bottom of the units loudness control (schema inset) , but instead, merely have the power switch on the phono- turntable left turned to its on position. Flip the tuner function selector switch to TUNER, from the current PHONO position and see if the SW problem isn't gone.
The idea there being the need of the electronics and the phono turntable having an interlocking feature.
For example, if you had a stack of thermoplastics on the spindle and started up the unit, the phono turntable
would play until its last record and then shut off but then leave the electronics burning for 1 min-1 hr-1 wk- 1 yr.
ERGO. . . . the phono switch overrides the electronics switching, in order for the phono to then shut ALL down,
after that final records playing.
Thumbnail Schema References: 
73's de Edd
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:Looks like that unit is a final spin off of the initial economy series of a wooden cabineted "portables " with a lift up top and had a fabulous tone to it, even if it was just mono back then. . . .beat the socks off of other brands portables ! Yours, of course, having a tuner also and being full power transformer operated, all in a small consolette cabinet.
:
:Also, your 64-65 set is using a larger 10 in woofer, but still using those great little hard coned tweeter pairs that RCA has used since the 55-57 units mentioned.
:
:
:
:Your initial problem should be the deterioration of the main voltage doubling capacitors in the unit as I have shown on the schema thumbnail of the power supply and power amp section, as the tuner section will probably not be of any concern. Those units are C83[BLUE] and C82 [RED] . . . strap mounted. . . cardboard covered tubular dry electrolytic capacitors.
: HOPEFULLY after pulling those completely out of the wiring circuitry and replacing them, your HuuMMMMMMMMMMMM problem will be gone.
:
:
:If you are lucky ?, the massive 4 section alummminninnyum-yum can unit, C84 [MAGENTA], might still have a bit of life left in it.
:A listening test for hum should let you know, after C82 and 83 have initially been replaced.
:
:
:If in for a complete restoration, that C84 unit would be needing replacement via the use of 4 separate units mounted under the chassis to terminal strips in the ample room still left under there.
:You would then be lifting the relevant wiring one section at a time and transferring to its assigned replacement electrolytic section.
:
:
:As for your mentioning of the main concerted effort in initially getting the Pony-Graf section operational . . . .I would bet $1-kilobux to 'lebenteen gross of Dunkin' Do-nuttz. . . . .that you do NOT have a bad pushing –pulling "powder†switch on the bottom of the units loudness control (schema inset) , but instead, merely have the power switch on the phono- turntable left turned to its on position. Flip the tuner function selector switch to TUNER, from the current PHONO position and see if the SW problem isn't gone.
:
:
:
:The idea there being the need of the electronics and the phono turntable having an interlocking feature.
:For example, if you had a stack of thermoplastics on the spindle and started up the unit, the phono turntable
:would play until its last record and then shut off but then leave the electronics burning for 1 min-1 hr-1 wk- 1 yr.
:
:
:ERGO. . . . the phono switch overrides the electronics switching, in order for the phono to then shut ALL down,
: after that final records playing.
:
:
:
:Thumbnail Schema References:
:
:
:
:
:73's de Edd
:
:
:
:
:
OK, if the hum comes up with the tubes warming up, I agree with the others, you have electrolytic problems. Edd has shown you the way, just follow it and I think all will be beautiful. by the way, Edd, how much power did Noah use to talk to the Coast Guard?
Lewis
:
The model number is only found on the removable back but I assumed the back was original to this cabinet and correct. Does the serial number help pin down the age?
EDD, you were right on about the turntable switch. How silly of me not to notice that was left in the ON position. THANK YOU!
I did pull both output tubes as Lewis suggested and the hum disappeared although I don't think that would rule out bad capacitors as I must have just interrupted the power flow? Everything I read says they deteriorate with age and are the first place to start. I spoke with the last owner and she said the loud hum/drone noise started “all of a sudden” and did not slowly get worse over time if that is any indication.
All the plugs are modular to the power supply so it should come off the unit with just those four bolts. C82 and C83 look readily accessible but I have never worked on anything like this before. I designed and built my own home, maintain a website and keep several antique cars running but electronics is foreign to me. I know there may be a stored charge that I must dissipate but is there anything else to be wary of? A Google search of the part numbers didn’t turn up anything and there are too many choices on Ebay. Where do you recommend buying the correct part and is one brand better than another? Thanks for taking the time to help me with this.
:WOW! Thank you for the schematic, EDD. That is a big help. It looks exactly like my layout except I have smaller speakers. The 4 smaller ones are 3 ½” at the largest part of the frame but the cones are about 3”. The others are about 7” cones. Also, I guess this unit is not stereo but mono as you suggest? I assumed it was stereo because there was an original 8-page operator’s manual inside that called it “stereo-high fidelity” but, at closer inspection, the unit pictured in the manual is extremely similar to mine but not really the same. It does say stereo on the tuner console pictured and mine does not.
:
:The model number is only found on the removable back but I assumed the back was original to this cabinet and correct. Does the serial number help pin down the age?
:
:EDD, you were right on about the turntable switch. How silly of me not to notice that was left in the ON position. THANK YOU!
:
:I did pull both output tubes as Lewis suggested and the hum disappeared although I don't think that would rule out bad capacitors as I must have just interrupted the power flow? Everything I read says they deteriorate with age and are the first place to start. I spoke with the last owner and she said the loud hum/drone noise started “all of a sudden” and did not slowly get worse over time if that is any indication.
:
:All the plugs are modular to the power supply so it should come off the unit with just those four bolts. C82 and C83 look readily accessible but I have never worked on anything like this before. I designed and built my own home, maintain a website and keep several antique cars running but electronics is foreign to me. I know there may be a stored charge that I must dissipate but is there anything else to be wary of? A Google search of the part numbers didn’t turn up anything and there are too many choices on Ebay. Where do you recommend buying the correct part and is one brand better than another? Thanks for taking the time to help me with this.
:
:
: