RedRupert Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I have had an APAN BRU-121 sitting in the garage for many years and have recently decided to get it out and going again. I bought it in Sydney in the late 1970s. From memory I paid somewhere around $150 for it. It is in ok condition but definitely needs some work. The belt has completely perished.The dustcover has some minor damage but everything else looks ok. The company APAN seems to have disappeared many years ago. There was a manual that came with these turntables but I haven't been able to track mine down. If anyone could help out with that it would be greatly appreciated. Also its not clear how to adjust the speed on these TTs. Does anyone know? I've ordered the belt. I'm hoping that once I get it installed a few things will sort themselves out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Jeez, that tales me back. I haven't seen an Apan for many years. Without seeing your model, I can't be certain, but it is highly likely that the BRU-121 employs a fixed speed, synchronous motor. There is no speed adjustment with such systems, except in VERY rare instances. Belts should be easy enough to obtain, though you'll either need to match it using a range of belts, or guess at the right size. I keep a range of belts for just such a purpose. Alternatively, you could try WES Components in Ashfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRupert Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 Thanks for that. What you say makes sense because there is nothing that looks like you could use to change the speed. I've already ordered the belt from Melbourne but if it doesn't fit I will definitely be in touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malakaai Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 RedRupert, how did the belt from Melbourne work? And have you had to adjust antiquate at all? I am having an issue with my rebuilt APAN BRU-121 upon start. After the automatic letdown of the tonearm and needle happens, the tonearm is then moved towards the center of the record/turntable, scratching across the first second or so worth of grooves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malakaai Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 And for those that are curious, here are a couple of pictures of the APAN Music Maker BRU-121. APANBru121_turntable APAN BRU121 Switch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 RedRupert, how did the belt from Melbourne work? And have you had to adjust antiquate at all? I am having an issue with my rebuilt APAN BRU-121 upon start. After the automatic letdown of the tonearm and needle happens, the tonearm is then moved towards the center of the record/turntable, scratching across the first second or so worth of grooves. You'll need to adjust, or have adjusted, the auto set-down. Without seeing the unit, I cannot point to the precise location of the adjustment screw, but it will certainly be there somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viognier Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 My first turntable from about 1976/77. Brings back memories but not on how to adjust it. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caddisgeek Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) edit, wrong answer Edited February 25, 2015 by caddisgeek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltech Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) @@Malakaai http://www.vinylengine.com/library/sanyo/tp-600sa.shtml Different brand. Same deck. Edited February 25, 2015 by eltech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 G'day all, yes the name 'APAN' takes me back to the mid 1970's remembering an advertisement in an old ETI magazine issue from 1973. That seems like yesterday. Am I really that old? Regards, Felix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emesbee Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 I remember APAN turntables. My brother-in-law used to have one in the mid/late 70s. I don't remember the model number, but the photo looks quite familiar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy124 Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) Hi, Timely thread, I just picked up an APAN BFU-121 from the original owner. It came with two head shells, one that looks like the original, and the other with a Shure 91ED fitted Now I have a favour to ask one of you APAN owners (@@Malakaai @@RedRupert ) The lift mechanism has the top plastic section missing - photos of the offending part Any chance of getting a photo of what it looks like, and if possible a height measurement of the plastic part. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated Cheers John Edited February 26, 2015 by skippy124 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRupert Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share Posted February 26, 2015 The photo Malakaai has posted is exactly the same as mine. I have been busy with other things since the last post and haven't finished setting it up. I got the belt frm Melbourne and it fitted with no problems. I purchased a Shure M97xE from the US but haven't fitted it yet. This cartridge has had good reviews elsewhere but apparently needs to be tweeked to get the best performance. Regarding the problem Malakaai has had with the tone arm scratching across the record when you first put it down: it sounds like you need to adjust the counter weight and the antiskate device. That should work. Otherwise I'm not sure how you would fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRupert Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share Posted February 26, 2015 Actually, just had another look. I have a lever that allows the tone arm to be dropped onto the record manual. That is the only difference with the photo. I have always used that lever in the past rather than the automatic mechanism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malakaai Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 (edited) Actually, just had another look. I have a lever that allows the tone arm to be dropped onto the record manual. That is the only difference with the photo. I have always used that lever in the past rather than the automatic mechanism. My BRU is just auto return, auto start when the tonearm is moved from its holder and auto set down. I've adjusted the counter weight using a gram scale (tonearm force gauge, if the price goes above $50, i believe ) but am not able to find the anti skate adjustment. I imagine its the two, thin metal pieces that touch each other in a + pattern to the right of the tonearm mount. To tweak that requires a flat-head screwdriver and probably a smooth piece of vinyl. Hi, Timely thread, I just picked up an APAN BFU-121 from the original owner. It came with two head shells, one that looks like the original, and the other with a Shure 91ED fitted Now I have a favour to ask one of you APAN owners (@@Malakaai @@RedRupert ) The lift mechanism has the top plastic section missing - photos of the offending part Any chance of getting a photo of what it looks like, and if possible a height measurement of the plastic part. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated Cheers John What a find, John!! I have taken a close up of that little plasticy/rubbery bit that the tonearm's, uh, guide arm (for lack of knowledge of the actual name of the part) rests on as the turntable turns. I hope it helps. Is this the part? Tonearm Guide Tonearm Guide Measure Tonearm Guide Measurement Metric Edited February 26, 2015 by Malakaai 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malakaai Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Thank you so much, @@eltech!! I'm on vinyl engine and had started working my way through their extensive library. From the A's, though. @@Malakaai http://www.vinylengine.com/library/sanyo/tp-600sa.shtml Different brand. Same deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy124 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 My BRU is just auto return, auto start when the tonearm is moved from its holder and auto set down. I've adjusted the counter weight using a gram scale (tonearm force gauge, if the price goes above $50, i believe ) but am not able to find the anti skate adjustment. I imagine its the two, thin metal pieces that touch each other in a + pattern to the right of the tonearm mount. To tweak that requires a flat-head screwdriver and probably a smooth piece of vinyl. What a find, John!! I have taken a close up of that little plasticy/rubbery bit that the tonearm's, uh, guide arm (for lack of knowledge of the actual name of the part) rests on as the turntable turns. I hope it helps. Is this the part? Tonearm Guide Tonearm Guide Measure Tonearm Guide Measurement Metric Yes, that is the part I was looking for, thanks for taking the time to take the photos, much apprecitpated I wIll see if I can make something up to replace the shaft with the plastic/rubber does on the top. Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy124 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) Thanks to the photos of the lift pin i was able to make up something that operates satisfactorily ( should have cleaned up the leftover particles of the original top part of the pin) Turned on for the first time, and everything works, but the platter kept turning after the tone arm was back in place on the tone arm rest. Either a problem with the mains switch or associated switch actuator - time to take the whole unit out of the plinth! Bottom view The mains switch actuating lever was a bit sticky - some simple maintenance work and the lever and switch was working properly Will throw on a record later today and see how she sounds Cheers John Edited February 28, 2015 by skippy124 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malakaai Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 So, @@skippy124, how did the first listen go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy124 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 It went very well, the speed was correct and steady, and the cartridge and stylus appear to be in good condition. All in all a nice TT Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john61 Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 (edited) On 28/02/2015 at 4:34 PM, skippy124 said: Thanks to the photos of the lift pin i was able to make up something that operates satisfactorily ( should have cleaned up the leftover particles of the original top part of the pin) Turned on for the first time, and everything works, but the platter kept turning after the tone arm was back in place on the tone arm rest. Either a problem with the mains switch or associated switch actuator - time to take the whole unit out of the plinth! Bottom view The mains switch actuating lever was a bit sticky - some simple maintenance work and the lever and switch was working properly Will throw on a record later today and see how she sounds Cheers John Hi guys. New member and found this thread really helpful. Thanks! Have the same player. Jelco headshell with Shure cartridge / stylus. Works great when I'm spinning by hand (lol). Just ordered a new belt from Wagner in Sydney. Price and postage to NZ very good. $18 all up (WES components use these guys for online stuff). Same problem with the the little rubber bit on lifter being perished though. Will skate across the record on return. Thinking the only way will be to fashion my own. Be interested to know how you went about it? Added advice? Cheers! ps. can post some photos of the unit later if anyone interested. Quite a nice one in good nick. Edited August 23, 2018 by john61 spelling mistake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevoz Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 (edited) On 21/01/2014 at 2:57 AM, RedRupert said: I have had an APAN BRU-121 sitting in the garage for many years and have recently decided to get it out and going again. I bought it in Sydney in the late 1970s. From memory I paid somewhere around $150 for it. The company APAN seems to have disappeared many years ago. There was a manual that came with these turntables but I haven't been able to track mine down. If anyone could help out with that it would be greatly appreciated. On 25/02/2015 at 2:48 PM, eltech said: http://www.vinylengine.com/library/sanyo/tp-600sa.shtml Different brand. Same deck. Both are CEC made (in Japan) TT's, so the Apan will be bullet proof. It's possibly based on the CEC BA300 or the CEC BD1000. BA300..... BD1000..... Both have AC synchronous motors.......great quality decks so enjoy the Apan @RedRupert . Ooops.....just saw how old the original post is......does RedRupert even have the Apan anymore? Edited August 23, 2018 by stevoz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRupert Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 (edited) Hi stevoz, many thanks for this link. Yes, I still have the APAN but still didn't have the manual for it until you provided the link. I have cleaned it up and purchased a new drive belt some time ago as well as a new cartridge and stylus. I still need to do one more thing before it will work. I had put it back on the shelf when I realized I didn't have the wiring diagram for the cartridge. But with your link to vinyl engine I'm more confident I will be able to do that now. (I hadn't seen that site before). I'm happy to hear your vote of confidence in these turntables as well. I haven't heard much in regard to that side of things. So you have provided the last bit of information I think I need to get this thing going. Thanks once again for the link and the info. Edited August 23, 2018 by RedRupert missing info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevoz Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 2 hours ago, RedRupert said: Hi stevoz, many thanks for this link. Yes, I still have the APAN but still didn't have the manual for it until you provided the link. I have cleaned it up and purchased a new drive belt some time ago as well as a new cartridge and stylus. I still need to do one more thing before it will work. I had put it back on the shelf when I realized I didn't have the wiring for the cartridge. But with your link to vinyl engine I'm more confident I will be able to do that now. (I hadn't seen that site before). I'm happy to hear your vote of confidence in these decks as well. I haven't heard much in regard to that side of things. So you have provided the last bit of information I think I need to get this thing going. Thanks once again for the link and the info. Actually @eltech provided that VE link in an earlier post but it's great to hear that you still have the Apan and that it's almost there......CEC/CDC made TT's for heaps of audio brands, they were one of the biggest TT manufacturers/suppliers globally in the 70's and 80's and also supplied TT motors for some high end TT brands. Great reputation for solidly built well performing turntables. Now they only make high end CD transports, DAC's and amplifiers...oh, they do make a phono amp as well. All in all, the Apan should deliver..... Good luck with it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tezza1970 Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 HI all Have had Apan Bru 121, a Phodis CE 6000 amp and some really nice old Phillips speakers for a few years now. It's all obviously 70's vintage but it really good nick. Any idea what it'd all be worth ? I haven't been using it of late and the wife is eyeing off the space on the TV unit..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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