MCS VTR Component TV 685-1015 CRT Stereo Spectrum Analyzer Display ~RESTORED

MCS

 685-1015  VTR Component TV

This auction is for a rare, restored MCS 685-1015 VTR component TV. This very rare 1978-vintage accessory contains a small B&W TV & speaker, and it has two main functions. The first function was to be a rack mount analog TV  receiver, which is not very useful in the era of digital TV. The second, more useful function is to be a stereo waveform display . The left & right channel waveforms are displayed under a lit plastic overlay that shows a logarithmic scale of input wattage. It TV receiver mode, the overlay lights turn off and it's hidden from view! All this is contained in a standard audio-component-sized device! Putting this in your vintage audio rack will surely make for an excellent conversation piece that is not only stylish but useful!

The unit functionally  works PERFECTLY! The unit came into my possession in working condition, but in need of TLC.  Since this is a very rare piece, I wanted to restore the unit so it not only works now, but for many years in the future! All work was performed by me. The following work was performed to the unit:

• All capacitors on the waveform board have been replaced with long-life Nichicon-brand capacitors!  The #1 common failure mode in vintage electronics is from bad capacitors.  With fresh capacitors, that wont happen with this unit!  In addition, the main AC filter capacitor was also replaced as a preventative measure.

• The waveform board was calibrated!  The left & right waveforms were aligned to the markings on the lit plastic overlay. Then, using a 1kHz sine wave at a known voltage along with a little bit of math, the waveforms were adjusted to approximately the correct wattage. I write "approximately" as this is certainly not a scientific instrument and the performance drifts with temperature. Use this for the pretty display more than for the raw output. :)

• The two light bulbs that light the overlay were replaced! Both were burned out, but even on units with working bulbs, the bulbs should be replaced. Older, used bulbs will have charred from use and its light performance would not be as good as new bulbs. Why didn't I install LEDs instead? Because of the overall light quality. Not only is is hard to find LEDs with the wide dispersion & warm, soft color quality of bulbs, but I would have also had to add a rectifier circuit with a capacitor to prevent the annoying 60Hz blink that is irritating/distracting to look at!

• All controls have been DeOxit'd! DeOxit is a wonderful tool for removing corrosion from old potentiometers. After a thorough cleaning with DeOxit, there are no more noisy volume knobs or a jumpy picture/contrast/brightness control unlike most TVs from this vintage!

• The externals have been cleaned! The entire chassis was taken apart and everything was scrubbed. Old dirt & crud was removed from the controls & screen and the wonderful shiny faceplate shines like new! Even after all this cleaning, it doesn't look 100% new. Read below. 

The unit is in great condition! The unit was never abused and, after a the cleaning detailed above, it looks extremely presentable on an AV rack or any other display location! However there are a few items to note:

• There are some marks and scratches on the shell. The unit has a couple scratches on the top of the unit that go through the paint. Nothing distracting or noticeable unless looking for it.

• The knobs have some minor discoloration & marks. There is some very, very light UV discoloration to some of the gray spacers on the UVH/VHF knobs. Also, when looking very close at the knobs, some minor spots can be seen.  Nothing distracting or noticeable unless looking for it.

• The power cable has a bit of melted rubber. Something hot must have landed on the plug itself. There is no damage to the actual cable nor does it affect the structural integrity nor safety of the plug itself. It is the original cable.

• The left & right input channels of the unit are reversed! The left channel corresponds to the right waveform display and vice versa. It's been like this since I received the unit. All the cabling inside looks correct so I assume it was a factory solder mistake! I left it alone to keep the unit original...It can be fixed as easily as swapping the left and right RCA connections on the back.

• The TV tuner hasn't been tested for proper alignment. There are no analog TV stations in my area. :) I don't see why the TV would be out of alignment, but it is possible.

See my other auctions for rare electronics and Japanese imported audio equipment!

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