Retro Hi-Fi Setup issues

[Meowster]

I have recently started collecting some vintage Hi-Fi equipment. Today I got a Sony TC-RX55 tape deck from a colleague at work. The only issue with it is that it plays a tape for 2 seconds and then plays the other side for 2 seconds and just keeps doing that until I press stop. Can someone help me out?

[dalekphalm]

You should start by taking it apart and checking for sensors that are dirty or visibly damaged. 
 

It sounds like it has an auto side switching mechanism (so you can play side B without flipping).

[Meowster]

2 hours ago, dalekphalm said:

You should start by taking it apart and checking for sensors that are dirty or visibly damaged. 
 

It sounds like it has an auto side switching mechanism (so you can play side B without flipping).

Took it apart, found that the belts have disintegrated and the head was so dirty that I was literally peeling of layers of dirt from it. Got new belts and cleaned all heads. They should come on Saturday.

Thanks for your tips, I'm a bit new to this equipment

[dalekphalm]

1 hour ago, Meowster said:

Took it apart, found that the belts have disintegrated and the head was so dirty that I was literally peeling of layers of dirt from it. Got new belts and cleaned all heads. They should come on Saturday.

Thanks for your tips, I'm a bit new to this equipment

No worries. While sometimes mechanically quite complex - equipment like that is easier to tell physical damage. 

[Warin]

I bought a pair of really nice bookshelf speakers awhile back.  they sat for a couple of months while I was busy.  When I hooked them up, they sounded like crap.  I took them apart and the foam surrounds on the woofers were shot.  Luckily I know a guy that can fix that sort of thing.  They were pretty expensive once I took care of the problem, but still way less than half of what they were new.

I love computers, but old stereo gear is awesome, because it generally ages far better than equivalent computer gear.

[Meowster]

10 hours ago, Warin said:

I bought a pair of really nice bookshelf speakers awhile back.  they sat for a couple of months while I was busy.  When I hooked them up, they sounded like crap.  I took them apart and the foam surrounds on the woofers were shot.  Luckily I know a guy that can fix that sort of thing.  They were pretty expensive once I took care of the problem, but still way less than half of what they were new.

I love computers, but old stereo gear is awesome, because it generally ages far better than equivalent computer gear.

Just like me. I love computers and old sound gear is pretty cool.