Hacker RG200 Radiogram. Restoration and testing!

It's radiogram time! Here's an enormous beast from Hacker. It's in for restoration. The customer has asked for a full electronic restoration, plus a cabinet clean and polish. I think it looks lovely now....so here's the story!

[jamiemason]

That brings me back to the time of my dad used to do when he was at work

[dean]

I wish I had the ability to restore old Hi-fi and electricals, an amazing job!

[Retro_andy_]

Fantastic thorough job and really interesting to watch
I have a gondolier record player by hacker and love it to bits

[allthegearnoidea]

Wow that quite unusual I Have done a few of the record player in the past. I will have to get a small hand drill like that. Thanks for sharing regards Chris

[burmesecolourneedles]

Beautiful and impressive piece of kit - and such a great video, nice easy style, very enjoyable to follow you working through it.

[radiorobertakaandy]

Sounds truely amazing.ive had gondoliers, Cavaliers and all the sovereigns and heralds etc but this looks and sounds superb.

[darrencoe]

That's a lovely radiogram. I've been given a dynatron music center that's going to need a lot of work so hopefully be as easy to service. I never thought of idea of drilling holes for radial capacitors, so thanks for the tip.

[ntmdisco]

eye level by the simon park orchestra (van der valk theme tune)

[MichaelBeeny]

Was the replacement cartridge a Sonotone 9TA by any chance?

[craigscothern]

Back in the 70s my local TV/audio shop sold Hackers. As a kid I always wanted one as the quality was so good. It took until adulthood for me to find and buy the green suede Sovereign radio which I love. It needs a service now so I would be delighted if you could do this please.

[kennixox]

What is interesting between UK equipment of this era is that the radio dials and control knobs have an industrial/military look about them. The American counterparts of the era would have had gold/brass inlay on the knobs and "pretty" tuning dials.

[Vintage-Tech]

You mentioned a stereo decoder fitted but I didn't notice the stereo pilot lamp on the dial light up ? that's if it has one? I would assume so? I was curious about these Hacker radiograms as i've not had one come through my collection, nice to see how they look inside

[anthonylawrence]

I have one of these .Bought brand new by my parents in 1968.At the phenomenal cost of £216.It was recapped about five years ago and it also had the FXxxx transistors replaced in the tuner .It does sound good and with 12 watts per channel [ unheard of for a mere radiogram] it is very loud when cranked up . In all of its years i have never known the stereo decoder to work [yes it has got one ] the excuse being Stereo radio was in its infancy at the time and in order for this machine to get stereo radio you needed a very good Ariel and a good strong station broadcasting in stereo [bit of a rarity back in 68.Another novel thing i remember about this unit is that it was delivered in a wooden crate .My parents only bought Hacker products .Im sure they would have had a Hacker television if one had been available

[mikebrock]

Did Europe have the TV/Stereo/Phono consoles like we had in the states in the 60's and 70's?

[neilmansfield]

What is this music on the first record
Beautiful record player

[clairesouthon]

I have this exact radiogram. Is there a way to get in touch with you? I fear mines in worse condition but am so keen to try and see him restored…