Sherwood PD-702 - User Manual

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Overview

Function Description
Important Technical Specifications
Turntable Section
Tonearm Section
Subfunctions
Accessories
Miscellaneous
Usage Features
Operation
Adjustments for Mechanical Troubles
Maintenance Features
General Care
Troubleshooting Howling and Hum

The Sherwood PD-702/702B is a direct drive system, semi-automatic turntable designed for high-performance audio playback. It is intended to provide a refreshing music experience for many years, offering professional-caliber sound.

Function Description

The turntable's primary function is to play vinyl records. As a semi-automatic turntable, it automates certain aspects of playback, such as automatically lifting the stylus from the record and returning the tonearm to its rest position once a record finishes playing. It also features a direct drive system, meaning the platter is directly driven by the motor, which typically results in better speed stability and reduced wow and flutter compared to belt-drive systems. The turntable includes controls for selecting playback speed (33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM) and fine-tuning the speed. It also has a cueing device for gently raising and lowering the tonearm, and an anti-skating mechanism to ensure even tracking of the stylus in the record groove.

Important Technical Specifications

Turntable Section:

Type: Direct Drive Auto Return and Shut-Off
Motor: Direct Drive Motor
Platter: 310 mm Al-Alloy Diecast
Range of Pitch Control: ±3% min
Speed: 33-1/3 RPM, 45 RPM
Wow & Flutter: 0.055% WRMS (Weighted Root Mean Square) – a measure of speed variations, indicating high stability.
S/N Ratio: 65 dB (Din-B) – a measure of the signal-to-noise ratio, indicating good audio clarity with minimal background noise.

Tonearm Section:

Type: Straight Static Balance
Tracking Force Control: 0-3 Gram
Effective Length: 225 mm
Over Hang: 18.7 mm (19/25")
Tracking Error: +2.6, -1 Degree
Offset Angle: 24.5 Degree
Cartridge Weight: 4 (Min) to 10 G (Max)
Stylus Pressure: 2 (Min) to 2.5 G (Max)

Subfunctions:

Anti-Skating Force Control
Cueing Device
Strobo Light (for speed adjustment)
Free Stop Hinges (for the dust cover)
Speed Indicator Red/Green LED
Overhang Line

Accessories:

45 RPM Adaptor: 1
Operating Instruction: 1
Cartridge: 1 (option) – Note: Cartridge and stylus are optional and may not be included depending on the destination.

Miscellaneous:

Power Consumption: 6W
Dimensions (WxHxD): 440 x 117 x 360 mm (17-5/16 x 4-568 x 14-3/6 inches)
Weight: 6.0 Kg (13.2 lbs)

Usage Features

Voltage Selection: The appliance operates on either 120V or 220V AC. A voltage selector switch is located on the upper left side, under the platter, and must be set to the correct AC line voltage before connecting the power cord. The unit is factory-set to 220V AC, but can be switched to 120V for use in 120V areas.

Assembly: The turntable requires some initial assembly, including removing transportation screws, fitting the platter, laying the rubber sheet, installing the headshell, and installing the counterweight. Transportation screws secure the floating platter and tonearm during shipping and should be retained for future transportation.

Connection: The turntable connects to an amplifier or receiver via RCA cables (white for left, red for right) and a ground wire.

Cartridge Installation: The headshell cartridge connects to the tonearm with specific wiring for left/right positive and negative channels (white for L(+), blue for L(-), red for R(+), green for R(-)).

Stylus Line Adjustment: For optimal tracking, the cartridge screws should be loosened slightly, the tonearm moved above the Stylus Line Direction, and the cartridge adjusted until the stylus tip aligns with the stylus line. The screws are then tightened to secure the cartridge.

Stylus Pressure Adjustment: This involves balancing the tonearm horizontally with the cueing button down, setting the counter ring to zero, and then turning the counterweight clockwise to achieve the designated stylus pressure (grams) for the cartridge. The anti-skating knob should then be set to the same value as the stylus pressure.

Operation:

Place a record on the platter. For doughnut-type records with large center holes, an EP adapter is used.
Set the speed selector switch (33 1/3 or 45 RPM) to match the record.
Release the tonearm from the arm rest.
Push the cueing button UP to lift the tonearm.
Swing the tonearm carefully over the starting grooves of the record. This action turns on the power.
Push the cueing button DOWN to lower the stylus and begin transcription.
Upon completion of the record, the tonearm automatically rises, lifts the stylus, and returns to the arm rest. The motor also shuts off automatically.
To interrupt or terminate playback, the REJECT button can be pushed.

Speed Fine Adjustment: The turntable features a strobo light and a speed fine adjustment knob. By observing the strobo marks while playing at 33 1/3 or 45 RPM, the user can adjust the knob clockwise (if marks flow left, indicating faster speed) or counter-clockwise (if marks flow right, indicating slower speed) until the marks appear stationary, indicating the correct speed.

Adjustments for Mechanical Troubles:

Height of Oil Lifter: If the oil lifter (which raises/lowers the tonearm) is not functioning properly (too high or too low), a screw can be adjusted to reset the elevation level.
Autoreturn Position: If the tonearm returns too early or too late, a screw on the tonearm base can be adjusted to reset the proper returning point.

Maintenance Features

General Care:

Avoid stopping the rotating platter by force.
Ensure power is off on both the turntable and amplifier/receiver when replacing the cartridge or stylus.
Keep the stylus tip clean of dust using a soft brush; avoid using fingers.
Clean records frequently with a suitable cleaner.
Do not move the turntable while it is operating.
Clean the cabinet and dust cover with a soft dry cloth.

Stylus Replacement: Diamond styli typically last for 500 to 1,000 hours of continuous playing. A worn stylus can cause distorted and harsh treble tones, necessitating replacement. Users should obtain the correct replacement stylus matching their cartridge, which can be readily inserted into the cartridge assembly. The manual provides instructions for removing the stylus assembly (pull up slightly, then pull out toward an arrow) and reversing the procedure for installation.

Dust Cover: The dust cover can be easily detached and features a freestop mechanism, allowing it to remain open at angles from 20° to 60°.

Troubleshooting Howling and Hum:

Howling: Usually caused by speaker vibrations affecting the cartridge. Relocating the turntable or speakers away from each other can mitigate this.
Hum: Often due to imperfect grounding. Users should check if the turntable is properly grounded to the amplifier's ground. Hum can also be induced if output cables are too close to the amplifier's power transformer; relocating the cables away may help. Sometimes, unplugging and reversing the AC plug can eliminate hum.

The manual emphasizes that users should not attempt to service the appliance beyond the described instructions and should refer all other servicing to qualified service personnel.