Funky Ariston RD-40 Turntable Restoration - Will this EVER sound good?

This video is covering my restoration of an Ariston RD-40 turntable - alternatively known by some as the 'biscuit tin'!

This is the upgraded version of the turntable with the extra heavy platter and the DC motor.

I wanted it to look a certain way so follow my progress with a repaint, a new tonearm, belt, and even 3D printing an armboard to fit my Rega arm.

Details of the turntable:

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[MagicMaus]

I have the same turntable and the same task in front of me. I bought it new in the late 80s and used it until the early 2000s. It has been in the attic ever since. I don't know when I'll get around to restoring it, but at least now I know a little more clearly what to expect :)

[JetmanUK]

This is very cool looking turntable. 👍🏻

[ernestfoster]

First class restoration on the old Ariston.

[Thesscollection]

I've had an Ariston RD40 for decades and use it every day, as you will see on any of my vinyl posts, the turntable has a wonderful blend of design over quality making it quite unique. I have on occasion thought about upgrading to a Lynn SP25, a turntable that has some distant Ariston Audio DNA in its PS, I live in Irvine, about 10 miles from Prestwick where these turntables were assembled, the platters etc were manufactured somewhere in the Glasgow area for Ariston.

[garyconway]

I was lucky enough to get an older version of this and paid next to nothing for it at an estate sale. Covered in dust and mouse crap! Got it home started cleaning in, polishing the aluminum bits realized it was really good quality. Is is the center piece of my system and the reason I started my vintage audio hobby. Meet some of the nicest people! If I ever do a full restoration this will be my go to video. Thanks for the great video! Cheers

[zaskardude]

I have one of these, i bought it new about 40 years ago, played it for years, trying all sorts of mods, weights, clamps and plinths to set the deck on etc.
Along came CD's and slowly the deck became dusty.
It is now in its original box in a cupboard in our house since we moved in here 28 years ago, and I recently began to itch to revive it, hence finding your video.
I am fortunate to be a toolmaker giving me access to lathes and milling machines, so before i retire, a restoration project should be no bother, I just hope none of the electrics are damaged from age,
also I don't recall my RD40 having speed controls or switchable 33/45 (I remember changing the belt position on the motor) I'm sure it was just on or off. so there may have been different models available at the time.

[vincentgregory]

Did chuckle at the "like a Linn" comment!
Interesting story - my old boss bought a container of shop tools (compressors, lathes, pillar tools, etc) from a local auction here in Ayrshire quite a few years back. As well as tool stuff we found loads of Ariston hifi parts and some complete items all marked up with labels like Prototype 001, etc. Funky looking CD players, tuners and parts for decks like yours. Nobody cared (we were a truck workshop) so it all got binned. What a shame.

[robertturrell]

If you check on line you will see there is a spring that goes from the switch box to the turntable frame to counteract the the pull of the belt on the turntable. I have the same unit with no spring and no counter weights and it sounds great with Ortfon red cartridge.

[MGLafoote]

There is a "captive" ball bearing in the oil cavity. The original tables came with a measured amount of lube.

[viderethevaccinatorfromhol]

It's such a cool turntable. I almost bought one a few years ago. I feel some regrets now 😅

[rosemeyer]

With the RPM app, if you sit something fairly light over the spindle... Toilet Roll! and then sit the phone on top of that - directly over the spindle, it seems to produce a more accurate reading, depending on the phone. And also, yeah, the static numbers blows my brain.

[philipcooke]

A good video. Much appreciated!
I would love to have one of these turntables. It looks brilliant.
Mind you, had I had been in your position and then had to read the comments made by @exenx2995 then like you, I would most certainly have NOT have given him the satisfaction of you giving up and effectively 'slashing your wrists'. Please keep up the excellent work with your videos!

[Krusty]

I have the bit older Mytek Brooklyn Bridge. And got myself an Ariston RD-40 turntable to connect to it. Music is good. But I can hear a low power hum in the background. I have a MM pickup and also set the Brooklyn to MM. Plus connected the Record Player's ground to the ground of the Brooklyn. Adjusting a bit on the knob on the ground, I can hear this is were I suspected the noise came from. Any idea how to remove that annoying low frequency hum/noise? BTW: I have connected the Brooklyn to an external power supply. Thanks.

[TheRealKaner]

Ariston also made washing machines (different company)...NGL that cast metal base looks like it was part of a domestic appliance...and came from Ayrshire...as did Graeme Obree...tenuous link...lol..

[jedi-mic]

What's happened to the original arm that's a lot better than the Rega why why not put it back?

[jameslaidler]

Surprised you don't favour S-shaped arms. Cute deck, but man I hate belt drive. For the money I'd rather have an SP-10.

[ta]

These were good decks if you couldn’t afford an LP12

[timleelim]

I thought Ariston made stoves and washing machines. Ariston ... and on ... and on

[bobsbits]

hi the price of records is now got silly went over to 1/2 tape and bigger reel to reel please i did £50 for one i have seen there was a shop in london i could get a record
50p each was along time ago there was a place in the shop they had them that you call them 2nd bad covers and small things made them hard to sell

i watched the cassette deck one as well with the big gears you had to make

[MGLafoote]

HOW did you get the spring pods apart and install the new foam in the springs?