Garrard Model SP. 25 Single Record Playing Unit

Introduction

The Garrard SP.25 is a high-quality single record playing unit, elegantly styled and incorporating many practical features. It boasts a modern, tubular pick-up arm with ball-bearing pivots and a cue and pause device for precise record positioning. The arm automatically returns to its rest after play, significantly reducing the risk of accidental damage to records or stylus. Key features include a large turntable, foam-damped suspension springs, a pickup arm bias compensator, and a plug-in pickup head, all reflecting a commitment to detail and quality. The unit is available in dual voltage range models (100/130V and 200/250V a.c.) and low voltage range models (100/130V a.c.). Dual voltage models feature a voltage changeover block. Motor pulley identification for power supply frequencies (50 Hz or 60 Hz) is indicated by color (Nickel for 50 Hz, Brass for 60 Hz) or by pulley base diameter on later units.

For further information or advice, contact Garrard's Technical Service Department or your local Garrard Agent.

Contents

• Operation: Page 3
• Maintenance: Page 3
• Adjustments: Page 4
• Installation: Page 5
• Cue and Pause Mechanism: Page 6
• Fault Chart: Page 7
• Spare Parts List: Page 13
• SP.25 Mk II Supplement: Page 16

Operation

To operate the Garrard SP.25:

1. Ensure the turntable speed and stylus are appropriate for the record.
2. Place the record on the turntable and release the clip holding the pickup arm.
3. Move the operating control to LIFT, align the stylus over the record, and then move the control to PLAY. The pickup arm will lower gently onto the record. Alternatively, move the control to LIFT, swing the pickup arm to the record, then move to PLAY. For automatic operation, the pickup arm will lift and return to its rest after playing, and the motor will switch off.

Safety Note: Always clip the pickup arm to its rest when the unit is not in use.

Cue and Pause

Move the control to LIFT to raise the pickup arm. Move to PLAY to lower it.

To Stop

Either move the control to LIFT, swing the arm to its rest, and then move to 'OFF'. Or, move the control to LIFT, swing the arm to the centre of the record, allowing the trip mechanism to engage, then return the arm to its rest. The motor will switch off.

Moving the control from PLAY to OFF stops the motor with the pickup still on the record.

Note: For best results, store and clean records as recommended by the manufacturer. Replace worn styli and clean away dust.

Maintenance

Before performing maintenance, disconnect the unit from the power supply and protect the stylus.

The motor, turntable spindle, and intermediate wheel bearings are self-lubricating and rarely require attention. If lubrication is needed, remove the turntable and apply a light oil to the bearings. Lightly oil any stiff pivots. Clean oil from the motor pulley, intermediate wheel, and turntable rim with a clean cloth.

If the pickup lowers rapidly, the damping fluid for the cueing mechanism may need renewal. For earlier units, remove the spring clip at the control end of the cueing link to pivot the cueing cam, exposing the cueing lifting spindle. Remove the spring clip from the spindle, withdraw the cueing piston sleeve, clean it, and recharge with damping fluid (Part No. 71724). Ensure the small washer between the piston and spindle shoulder is in place.

To remove the turntable, remove the record spindle, prise off the nameplate, remove the turntable clip, and lift the turntable. When refitting, ensure the control is in the OFF position and the cam gear gap is aligned with the turntable spindle, with the trip pawl pushed away. Replace the turntable clip.

Diagram 3: Illustrates how to fit the turntable clip.

Adjustments

Motor Pulley Height

The top of the motor pulley should be level with the top of the intermediate wheel stop pin. Adjust by slackening grub screws, repositioning the pulley, and retightening.

Intermediate Wheel Height

The intermediate wheel must run centrally on its pulley step. Adjust the height of the support bracket using the blue spring steel setting blade beneath the unit plate.

Pickup Return Height

Adjust the pickup arm return height by turning the screw on the left-hand side of the pickup arm pivot bracket. The arm should clear the lower step of the pickup rest by approximately 0.8 mm as it returns.

Pickup Cueing Height

With the control in LIFT and the pickup poised over the record, the stylus point should be approximately 10 mm above the record. Adjust the cueing lifting spindle via the slotted hole in the upper casting cover.

Pickup Stylus Force

To set stylus force: unscrew the pointer, slide to zero, loosen the counterbalance weight screw, and balance the arm. Tighten the weight screw. Slide the pointer to the desired gramme setting and tighten the pointer locking screw. Consult the cartridge manufacturer's recommendation for the correct stylus force.

To Remove and Replace the Pickup Head

Unscrew the locking collar, pull out the head. To replace, align the pin on the head with the slot in the arm, slide in, and screw up the locking collar.

To Engage the Pickup Arm Bias Compensator

Swing the pin bracket to the position shown in Diagram 4 so that its pin carries the compensator weight as the pickup arm tracks. Ensure the weight pivots freely.

Diagram 4: Shows the bias compensator weight and pin bracket.

Dimensions

The Garrard SP.25 dimensions are approximately 383 mm wide, 317 mm front to rear, 73 mm above, and 70 mm below the unit plate. Recommended minimum clearances are 13 mm. Motor board thickness should be between 8 mm and 13 mm. If a thicker board is used, recess transit screw holes to 29 mm diameter.

Fitting Unit

Drill and cut the motor board according to the supplied template. Remove all packing materials from the unit. Fit the counterbalance weight to the pickup arm. Follow instructions for setting stylus force. If the turntable is not fitted, refer to the 'Maintenance' section.

Connect the power supply to the two terminal screws in the voltage changeover block, ensuring the wire links are correctly set. If a power supply socket is fitted, connect the appropriate plug.

The motor must be earthed. Connect screened audio leads from the amplifier to the tag strip as shown in Diagram 5. Note that the blue lead may be black on later units.

Diagram 5: Shows stereo pickup connections. For monophonic cartridges, use the brown lead. For monophonic reproduction with a stereo cartridge, parallel the channels.

If the amplifier wiring is not isolated from the power supply, use isolating components (capacitors or transformers) in the pickup circuit to prevent the circuit from becoming live.

When fitting phono leads: Brown is Right Hand Channel, Grey is Left Hand Channel. For monophonic use, use the Brown lead.

Ensure transit screws are fully screwed down. With transit screw clips vertical, assemble the unit to the motor board. Turn clips horizontally to secure. For transit, turn transit screws counterclockwise to clamp the unit firmly.

Fitting Cartridge

The SP.25 uses an M7 plug-in pickup shell, with an M6 shell available for larger cartridges. A cartridge mounting kit (Part No. 59048) includes a mounting plate and screws for fitting most cartridges. Cartridges with a single fixing hole can be fitted directly to the pickup shell.

Diagram 6: Shows screws for fixing the cartridge to the mounting plate and bracket.

Connect the colour-coded leads in the pickup shell to the cartridge output tags. Do not solder directly to the cartridge. Use a special connector if the terminations are sockets.

Connections: Red to Right Channel, Green to Right Channel (Earthy), White to Left Channel, Black or Blue to Left Channel (Earthy).

For three-connection cartridges, use the green lead as common or join green and blue leads. For monophonic cartridges, use red and green leads.

Cue and Pause Mechanism

The lowering of the pickup arm is damped by a special high-viscosity grease. If damping fails, the original grease charge should be replaced. Disconnect the power supply, remove the spring clip and washer from the cueing link. Disconnect the link from the control end and turn the cam to access the lifting spindle. Press down the lifting platform, remove the plastic button, and insert a screwdriver into the exposed hole to turn the spindle and remove it. Clean the spindle and apply a thin coating of special Garrard damping fluid to the larger diameters. Refit the spindle, reconnect the link, and reset the pickup arm height.

Diagram 7: Illustrates the cue and pause mechanism.

Troubleshooting (Fault Chart)

Pickup Arm Movement

• Pickup begins to lower, then swings in: Check leads are free and lifting/friction springs are working.
• Pickup will not lift sufficiently to return to its rest: Check pickup return height adjustment.
• Pickup lowers rapidly: Check damping fluid.
• Pickup arm will not lower on to record: Check lifting spindle unit for sticking, pickup cueing height, or damaged cueing link.
• Pickup jumps first few grooves of record: Check stylus force, stylus condition, leads, groove guard, or friction link lubrication.
• Pickup remains in centre of record, or repeats groove: Check stylus force, stylus condition, leads, cartridge case clearance, or automatic trip link friction.

Turntable Speed

• Speed varies erratically: Check oil on driving surfaces, motor pulley height, or motor shaft.
• Speed varies consistently (Wow and Flutter): Tighten turntable spindle, clean inside turntable rim, check motor pulley, check intermediate wheel flats, or check motor shaft/rotor balance.
• Turntable does not revolve when motor is running: Check oil on driving surfaces, intermediate wheel tension spring, or intermediate wheel support bracket freedom.
• Turntable runs excessively fast or slow: Check voltage range setting, motor pulley, intermediate wheel bearing, or motor pulley/intermediate wheel height.
• Speed slightly fast or slow: May require a pulley of a different size. Contact Garrard Technical Service.

Motor Runs Slowly

• Check motor lubrication, motor bearings alignment, motor coil polarity, motor coil circuit, or motor pulley size for frequency.

Motor Runs Hot

• Check for normal running conditions, short circuit in coils, incorrect voltage, or insulation leakage to earth. Ensure adequate ventilation.

Motor Will Not Start

• Check for power supply, loose connections, bad switch contact, or open circuit coils.

Noise

• Interference on reproduction: Check switch contact, power supply lead connections, and pickup cartridge connections.
• Mechanical noise: Check lubrication, intermediate wheel flats, or loose levers.
• Rumble: Check motor pulley height, lubrication, spring mountings, dirt on intermediate wheel, perished rubber intermediate wheel, motor pulley fitting, or pickup matching with amplifier.

Auto Switch

• Fails to switch off when record has played: Check friction on control lever, or switch-off lever tightness.

Pickup Tracking

• Stylus fails to track correctly: Check for dust build-up on stylus, stylus force, stylus wear, pickup leads tightness, or bias compensator freedom.

SP-25 Spare Parts List

When ordering spare parts, please quote the SP.25 model number, the inspection label code number, the part number, and the description. For later models, note any differences indicated.

Above Unit Plate

Below Unit Plate

Note: For some requirements, items 27A and 31A replace items 27 and 31.

SP.25 Mk II Supplement

The Garrard Model SP.25 Mk II is an improved version of the original SP.25. Key differences include a dial stylus force adjustment, a resiliently mounted pickup arm counterbalance weight, and a modified cueing device for improved operation. Styling changes and plug-in motor connectors are also present. Information in the SP.25 Engineers Manual generally applies to the Mk II, except where noted.

Model SP.25 Mk II Single Record Playing Unit

Stylus force adjustment is made via a calibrated dial on the pickup arm pivot. To set or check: free the arm, set the dial to 'O', loosen the counterbalance weight screw, balance the arm, tighten the screw, then turn the dial to the recommended stylus force.

Cue and Pause Mechanism

The pickup arm lowering is damped by a special high-viscosity grease. If damping fails, replace the grease. Disconnect power, remove spring clip and washer from the cueing link. Disconnect the link from the control end and turn the cam to access the lifting spindle. Press down the lifting platform, remove the plastic button, and insert a screwdriver into the exposed hole to turn the spindle and remove it. Clean the spindle and apply Garrard damping fluid (available from Spares Department) to the larger diameters. Refit the spindle, reconnect the link, and reset the pickup arm height as per the manual.

Diagram 7: Illustrates the cue and pause mechanism.

Spare Parts for SP.25 Mk II

Spare parts for the SP.25 Mk II are identical to the SP.25, with the following differences: