Wiring into the Amp on a AMI Rowe R-84

[Chewable]

I just found this group and I just got my first jukebox a 1980 or 1981
Rowe R-84. I would like to be able to run a line into the amp from
another audio source. I would like to run the audio out of a computer
touchscreen Jukebox that I built to the amp on my Rowe R-84. I do not
want to permanently make this change - I would like to make it an
option. So that some times I will play the records in the Juke and
sometimes I will Play the touchscreen. I love the sound of the
jukebox.

I think that the audio levels coming off of the record player inside
the juke are not "line level" and if I want to wire in audio from the
computer it would need to match the same level as the phonograph. Is
this correct?

Also as a side note the Rowe will sometimes not realize that it has
played a selection. What will happpen is that it will reach the end of
the record and just sit there and spin. I can hear the switch that
says that the tone arm has reached the end. I can trip the switch and
make the record go back into the carrier, but it will grab the same
record and play it again, and again it will just sit at the end
spinning. I am pretty sure that this is a control computer glitch. It
is also intermittent which is very frustrating.

Any help with either of these issues is totally appreciated.

[KR]

Post by Chewable
I just found this group and I just got my first jukebox a 1980 or 1981
Rowe R-84. I would like to be able to run a line into the amp from
another audio source. I would like to run the audio out of a computer
touchscreen Jukebox that I built to the amp on my Rowe R-84. I do not
want to permanently make this change - I would like to make it an
option. So that some times I will play the records in the Juke and
sometimes I will Play the touchscreen. I love the sound of the
jukebox.
I think that the audio levels coming off of the record player inside
the juke are not "line level" and if I want to wire in audio from the
computer it would need to match the same level as the phonograph. Is
this correct?

They are not line level, they are phono cartridge input. This is not
suitable for a direct line level input.


It can be a hassle to add line inputs to these earlier Rowe amps,
There are ways to hack into the audio amp to inject a line level
signal, which I did about 20 + years ago, but you basically have to
go in after the automatic level control system, which means if you
have a "disco" version with the flashing lights, you will have to
constantly adjust the sensitivity to keep them flashing.

This situation will be many times worse with a digital or CD audio
source due to the greater dynamic range.




The easiest, quickest and most hassle free way in my opinion is to buy
(or make) a "reverse RIAA adaptor"

- (An example is item 016 on this page http://www.classicaudio.com/service.html,
this looks identical to the one I use on the test bench, but a
different brand name on it)

- how to build one, its a very simple circuit:
http://sound.westhost.com/project80.htm

and install it in place of the phono plug to feed your Line input
directly into the amp.

Note, you will need to adapt it to the 3 pin plug that ROWE use, or
alternately, you can cut up a pair of suitable RCA patch cords (with
female ends), remove the Juke's amp and solder them onto the back of
the 3 pin header that the phono cartridge goes to, and bring them out
for the adaptor to plug into. You then plug your PC audio out into
this adaptor and you are in business

The pin out of the 3 pin plug is -

Centre Pin (shield)
Outer pins are the L and R audio.

Note that you will have to "un-mute" the amplifier in order to make it
play as needed when you use your digital audio.

On the record mecanism on the left side under you will see 2
microswitches,
find the Orange/Black wire, and disconnect this to make the juke un-
mute. (pull the slide lug off the microswitch and insulate it so it
cant short onto any other wire) You can add an NC toggle switch to do
this if desired, or just leave it disconnected. The only downside is
that you will hear all the "clunks" of the record changer operating
through the speakers when you are playing records.

Post by Chewable
Also as a side note the Rowe will sometimes not realize that it has
played a selection. What will happpen is that it will reach the end of
the record and just sit there and spin. I can hear the switch that
says that the tone arm has reached the end. I can trip the switch and
make the record go back into the carrier, but it will grab the same
record and play it again, and again it will just sit at the end
spinning. I am pretty sure that this is a control computer glitch. It
is also intermittent which is very frustrating.
Any help with either of these issues is totally appreciated.

Good news, Its not a computer glitch, its just the switch.

Look about 1" forward of the tone arm pivot point, under the tone arm
you will find a small PCB with a Reed switch ( a glass tube about 1"
long) you will find that this board has a slot under its mounting
screws allowing it to be moved left or right. Loosen screw and nudge
it very slightly to the Left. This will make the song cut out earlier.
If you find that its then cutting out before the song is finished,
then move it slightly to the right until its correct cut off point.

(The switch itself is fragile, do not attempt to bend or move it to
make adjustment, adjust board as described only.)

Might be a good idea do wait until it happens again, note the
particular record that is doing it and make sure its adjusted to suit
that record.