SABA Automatic Stereo 300/11 Project - Videokarma.org TV - Video

alexkerhead · #1 06-08-2009, 08:48 PM

I got this one last year, and put it up in the shop. I got it down tonight, and used my redneck variac(light bulb inline on an extension cord) and brought it up. When I got to 120V(outlet), it worked perfectly, the needles started moving when I went into auto mode, the tuning meter(coolest I have ever seen) started slapping together when i tuned in stations and the sound was nothing short of jaw-dropping for an all-in-one.

Then, 10 minutes into play, the fuse blew, so I assumed the fuse was just old and worn. I put in the correct value fuse, and tried it again. Worked, then a minute later, smoke came from the bottom(not near the transformer thankfully) and the new fuse blew, so I shut it off as quick as possible.
During that minute though, the sound was a little weaker than before.

I am afraid I am in over my head with this one, the complexity is above my head, because I can barely recap and repair a AM-only set.
Has anyone ever had experience with this one? If so, I would really appreciate some suggestions.

This will be my weekend project next weekend, and I would like to get this one proper, because it is such a fantastic unit. All the tubes say "made in Great Britain".

Here are some pics I took.

jeffsod · #2 06-10-2009, 06:34 AM

Saba made some fine sounding table radios and that one is surely worth taking on. I don't really know enough to guide you through it myself. Hopefully someone will chime in.

mashaffer · #3 06-10-2009, 10:03 AM

In a situation like this I would see if I could find the source of the magic smoke and see what I could learn from that. The obvious suspects are bad coupling caps throwing the bias of and cooking plate or cathode resistors. If you can find out what got hot and what the surrounding circuitry is you will be on your way toward diagnosis.

mike

ianj · #4 06-10-2009, 12:41 PM

What a fantastic radio--Saba were the Rolls Royce of radio in Europe..............I own a freiburg 125 stereo vollautomatic model...ianj

alexkerhead · #5 06-11-2009, 01:24 AM

Thanks for the replies guys! And for the info Mike!

Hopefully someone with one of these will chime in sometime.

mashaffer · #6 06-11-2009, 09:27 AM

Be sure and shoot us a gut shot when you get her opened up.

mike

anden · #7 06-12-2009, 05:51 AM

The biggest of the good Genman sets sure did have as you put it, 'jaw dropping' sound - they redifine the meaning of table radio. Saba was pretty much at the top among these. Good luck with yours.

I foolishly passed on a 300 this spring at a radio show....now I'm thinking I'll look for the 400 which I believe has six speakers !

kg8lb · #8 07-28-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianj

What a fantastic radio--Saba were the Rolls Royce of radio in Europe..............I own a freiburg 125 stereo vollautomatic model...ianj

I just picked up a very CLEAN SABA 400/11 Automatic. Still has the embossed hang tag on it. Don't know why I picked it up other than it is in very nice shape and a quite handsome radio to boot. Don't really have any room for it here at home so I guess I will be taking it to the next flea market sale.

BTW, It plays well and sounds great. The servo system and push buttons probably need a little attention. Otherwise guite good for anything made in Germany that is 49 years old !

Telecolor 3007 · #9 07-28-2009, 08:19 AM

The radio can work also on 60 Hz.? The smoke smalled bad? (like expired eggs?).

jeffsod · #10 07-28-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

I guess I will be taking it to the next flea market sale

I would sure like to stumble across one of these at a flea market!

kg8lb · #11 07-29-2009, 07:11 AM

Delete, Radio will be parted out

Sandy G · #12 07-29-2009, 07:30 AM

Oooooh, dat's PURTY !!!

Celt · #13 07-29-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telecolor 3007

The radio can work also on 60 Hz.? The smoke smelled bad? (like expired eggs?).

If you do encounter the dreaded *rotten egg smell* (sometimes along with smoke), a selenium rectifier will be the culprit.
It will be square in shape with fins like a heatsink or radiator. And yeah, make sure the power supply is good for 60Hz.

El Predicta · #14 07-29-2009, 08:57 AM

I restored one of those a year ago. Same symptoms. Problem was easy to fix-shorted diodes in the power supply. If memory serves me correctly, the originals were enclosed in a small metal box (about the same size as a box of fuses). This "box" was located at one end (not on top) of the chassis. Go for it-this is a fine radio!

kg8lb · #15 07-30-2009, 09:24 AM

RIP, Lotsa good parts though.