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DSVW
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 246
Location: Maryland
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 Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 2:12 pm Post subject: Sapphire Radio |
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Hi,
I did a search on this topic and could not find anything.
I have a '69 Ghia. It came with a SAPPHIRE XV radio (which I do not believe is correct for the year). It is not working, although it was getting power and the light came on until yesterday. The left knob is now turning without a stop and the unit no longer comes on. I wouldn't be surprised if it had other issues but it is a very clean unit.
Can someone give me a reliable contact that may be able to rebuild this for me?
Thanks. |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2507
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: Sapphire Radio |
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I've used Radioman in San Diego a few times and he did a good job with quick turnaround. He offers a 1 year warranty on all repairs too.
http://www.radiomanrepair.com/
Be prepared to spend a bit to get your radio fixed. Many times, it can be cheaper to just buy another one that's already working. There's a refurbished Sapphire XV on eBay now for $185 (I'm not the seller).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-Volkswagon-Sapphire-XV-...2548.l4275
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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bunkington
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2009
Posts: 285
Location: Bethesda, MD
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| Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 8:22 am Post subject: Re: Sapphire Radio |
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I had my radio gutted and replaced with modern internals. All of the benefit of a classic-looking radio, but with modern performance. Can do bluetooth as well.
Not cheap, however.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QjsTWPsscc |
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KGCoupe
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
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| Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 8:45 am Post subject: Re: Sapphire Radio |
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| bunkington wrote: |
I had my radio gutted and replaced with modern internals. All of the benefit of a classic-looking radio, but with modern performance. Can do bluetooth as well.
Not cheap, however.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QjsTWPsscc |
 That is super slick!
From the R and B Vintage Auto Radio website ...
| Quote: |
... Bluetooth audio, hands free
phone, USB audio playback, USB charging,
Voice Command... |
... and as if that wasn't enough, ...
| Quote: |
New Tube Emulation Mode allows the
FMR-2 to mimic the “warmup” and “cool
down” of an original tube radio fooling even
the most seasoned judge on that concours
restoration, or just for that nostalgic feel! |
I won't ask specifics, but when you say it's "not cheap" can you give a ballpark estimate of roughly how many new Retrosound radios you could buy for the same price?  |
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NOVA Airhead
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 5221
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: Sapphire Radio |
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I had the conversion done on my last Ghia by a RetroSound dealer. Worked great. Worth the money.
_________________
Ghia Owner Emeritus |
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mfitzsimor
Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2004
Posts: 171
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:42 pm Post subject: Re: Sapphire Radio |
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My '69 came to me with a Sapphire VI. It's a 67/68 radio so it might be original.
I sent it Nick Stokes for repair: http://vwradios.com/FAQs.html
It came back working on both AM and FM bands and it looks great!
_________________
portland, or
69 cypress green ghia coupe
82 vanagon TD
86 quantum syncro |
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hopkin 
Samba Member
Joined: June 25, 2012
Posts: 2480
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 5:50 am Post subject: Re: Sapphire Radio |
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| DSVW wrote: |
Hi,
I did a search on this topic and could not find anything.
I have a '69 Ghia. It came with a SAPPHIRE XV radio (which I do not believe is correct for the year). It is not working, although it was getting power and the light came on until yesterday. The left knob is now turning without a stop and the unit no longer comes on. I wouldn't be surprised if it had other issues but it is a very clean unit.
Can someone give me a reliable contact that may be able to rebuild this for me?
Thanks. |
The left knob is a potentiometer with a switch, the click turns the power on/off, and just before the switch the volume is at zero. (Meaning that as you turn the knob toward the off position, the resistance increases, thus reducing the volume). It sounds like that switch is broken and the volume is stuck at zero, assuming the radio worked before the stopped 'stopping'. 
You may be able to find a new one the same size and fix the radio yourself.
I did a quick search and found Mouser Potentiometers, but are lots of options. If there is a local electronics store you find one there.
http://ca.mouser.com/Passive-Components/Potentiometers-Trimmers-Rheostats/Potentiometers/_/N-9q0yp
_________________
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1974 SunBug (past)
1972 914 (past)
1991 Honda Civic (Original Owner)
1996 'Open Air' Mexican Beetle (current)
2015 Golf (current)
2017 Dune Edition (daughter's car) |
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