Rowe AMI Music Miracle 3 Model Number 1100 Help

[RyanA]

Well, some songs with not a lot of deep bass sound really good (Crocodile Rock by Elton John) while others with a deep bass have a muffled sound whenever the deep bass is played (Fire by Bruce Springsteen). So maybe its the subwoofer? Going to check out all the wires first and make sure they are not loose

[Ron Rich]

Ryan,
It's a "jukebox"-- not a commercial Hyped, specialized, sound machine-- No "woofer's", or "sub Woofers" are used !
Are your speakers set up correctly-- is there any old wire, hanging from the speaker connections ? How's the needle-- gen-u-whine, or aftermarket, knock off ? How about the cartridge-- what one is used--- is that the correct one for that model phono ? How about needle pressure-- still factory set, or did some jackass decide he knew better ? Ron Rich

[RyanA]

Those are good things to look into, I will check them out. I do have a force gauge for the needle pressure and it is set between 4-5grams as per the manual

[RyanA]

I decided to listen more closely to the speakers while playing, and the bottom low frequency speaker is playing fine which is good.  However, I noticed that the right speaker (when looking at the front of the jukebox) was producing much more sound than the left--it was quite noticeable.  When adjusting the balance to try and get more sound to the left speaker, not much volume was produced.  I am thinking this could be a cartridge issue.  

I opened up the back where the two speakers are and something caught my eye (see pics).  The right speaker (the one that works but still produces some unwanted noise depending on the song) is not hooked up to the capacitor but the left one (not working one) is hooked up.  I am too much of a novice to know what this could or could not be causing.  Thoughts?  I also posted a pic of the manual page that shows the wiring to the capacitors. 


    

[jukenorman]

Ryan,
The capacitors simply prevent low frequencies going to the side speakers. From your description, it appears that both of the side speakers may be damaged (possibly by being presented with lower frequencies?)? Best to connect the speakers as shown on the diagram in any case.
Norman.

[RyanA]

Norman

Thanks for the reply. I am going to assume that the one capacitor is bad, hence why it is no longer hooked up. So I will look at getting a replacement and hooking the wiring up correctly. The speakers may have an issue in them as well, but they look good from the outside. Obviously that does not mean they do not have internal damage.

Ryan

[Ron Rich]

Ryan,
What is the model number of your phonograph-- I have a hard time reading that print, and may have the book ? Ron Rich

[RyanA]

Rich

It is a Rowe AMI MM3 Model 1100

[Ron Rich]

Ryan,
It's a MM-3-- "1100" is the mechanism model number-- I do not have a book on that one-- sorry-- Ron Rich

[RyanA]

Ron

Understood. Is there a way I can easily check that capacitor to see if it works? With a voltmeter? If not, I will see about purchasing one and getting the setup back to print.

[Ron Rich]

Ryan,
Caps can not be tested with a "voltmeter"-- Some meters will show an open, and or, a short, but quality is a very difficult thing to establish with a volt-meter-- Cap meters, are made. Ron Rich

[RyanA]

Ok, another potentially "novice" question.  The pic is the capacitor that I took out and a quick google search shows that Mallory is no longer in business and I cannot find this capacitor.  Is there a modern day equivalent I can find that meets the specs that I need?  What type of performance specs are critical for these capacitors?

[Ron Rich]

Hi Ryan,

My bet--- it's still good ! Try it on "the other side"-- Is that cap marked with a "+", or "-" ? Are both side speakers "original"--- is the disconnected one working at all--are you sure ??

Ron Rich

[RyanA]

Ron

Yeah I should try this one out before looking for a replacement, it still may work! The cap has no markings on it and as far as I know, the speakers are original. The disconnected speaker works but distorts when there is bass in the song. That distortion makes sense because these two speakers are the mid to high frequency speakers. If the speaker is not hooked up to the capacitor, then low frequency bass is getting into the speaker and the speaker might not be equipped for that. At least I think that is how it works!!

[Ron Rich]

Hi Ryan,
Yes-sir-- attzahow it'z suppozzzed to work ! Ron Rich