Trying to FIX a £199 Internet Radio CD Player
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- Hi, in this video I attempt to repair a £199 ($250) John Lewis Cello Internet Radio/DAB Radio/CD Player/Alarm Clock. It doesn't power up at all. Let's see if it can be fixed.
Remember that this is just for entertainment and I am not an expert in these repairs. The processes in the video may not be the best way, the correct way or the safest way to fix these things.
I do love fault finding and trying to fix broken things so I hope that comes across in this 'Trying to FIX' series.
Many thanks, Vince. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
We have 2 of these both about 6 years old. The bass driver on the bottom is the secret weapon. Placement in the room effects the sound greatly. It's very decent for the money. The carpet in the video cripples the bass. It needs to be placed on a shelf or table top.
The kids and I love watching Vince. Every episode we each guess if he's going to put it back together before testing and it not work, or break it when it was working. My son won tonight. Still love it.
Brilliant repair with all the patience to redo the re-assambly of the crammed internal.
The sound of true joy and happiness when Vince says yessss
I can feel his happiness all over to here if he does this.
Great video thank you! I have a 2nd hand one of these and CD player didn't work, so I have now been able to take it apart and fix it :) The video helped me to avoid all of the pitfalls with the cramped internal layout - especially the short ribbon cable that instantly came out and is almost impossible to spot! Cheers :)
Granted Vince it does look a good quality dab/internet cd radio combo looks good quality on the outside certainly does not look tacky and cheap 😊😊😊
Very pleasing, but it definitely looked hideous to work on! Well done!! My dad actually mended clocks, watches and electronics (and WWII American Jeeps left in the UK after the war) and similarly was largely working by his wits and native intelligence. You remind me of him, because he would never (or rarely) give up until all avenues had been exhausted! --Mike
I know so much about the John Lewis Cello now... that I'm putting this on my resume! THANK YOU! Cheers from the US
A strong early contender for the Vince YESSSSS!!! of the year award right there also i agree the dab radio job lot is making a great watch and also you are already in profit with them they are turning out to be a great buy.
After watching this I bought one spares or repair on ebay for £45, it was new still with film on, but no display, the fuse was soldered OK, and the display cable connected, but after disconnecting it and re inserting it, all was working again, thanks for the great video. I agree the sound is mediocre considering it has stereo speakers and a subwoofer, but looks very posh in my lounge.
Fun bit of diagnosis!
Durned ribbon cables!
Nothing better in time of Corona than watching the pure joy of someone fixing something. Nice video Vince.
Brilliant video, it had everything - hope, suspense, elation, disappointment and elation again! I relate to this completely. I've shown it to my wife to explain why jobs I say will take ten minutes actually take days to complete!
“YES!!!!” .... that is the sound of a very happy man :-). ... well done Vince, keep up the great work.
Great stuff. For the sound try adjusting the equaliser to personal. Turn off loudness, turn up treble to about +4 and possibly take bass down to -2. I have a couple of the bigger Tenor units (new) and reckon that’s the best setting.
Hi Vince you can get a better sound if you go into the menu and change the equaliser. I've looked at ours and for some bizarre reason you need to be in CD player mode (other modes may work, DAB definitely doesn't). Press the "menu/back" button on the top, then scroll down to "system menu" and "equaliser". I have it set to "rock" if I'm listening to a CD. Thanks for the vid - if ours ever goes wrong I am now more likely to try and fix it rather than chucking it into landfill and paying out for another one. Another thought - I believe it came with a remote originally, so may be worth looking out for on eBay if you're bothered (I'm not)
Thanks very much indeed worthy of a Friday night mystery thriller.
Lots of fun. Nice one mate!
Brilliant work Vince, delighted you selected RTE radio one
Just recently stumbled upon your channel, had to subscribe straight away. There's nothing better than troubleshooting with a working result at the end of it. Excellent stuff my man 👌
I love watching your trying to fix videos. I subscribed to your channel a while ago when you helped me sort my telephone socket out.
Great video! There is the possibility that the fuse overheated and de-soldered itself. This is more likely if the connection was faulty from manufacturer. However, when current is high (but lower than the fuse rating) the fuse will heat. The absolute last thing electronic engineers design is power supply boards. Mostly they have been standardized and are typically picked from a list of available off the shelf configurations. It is very likely that the fuse rating specified in this power supply board is too high. Any problems with the physical connection could only cause more heating than normal.
There was very good problem troubleshooting in this video, you found the problem very quickly. I noticed that you didn't actually test the fuse for continuity, you checked for continuity of the circuit to the fuse. You might want to start checking the fuse on the lowest scale for ohms of resistance, I don't know how sensitive you DMM is, but fuses fail from age too (this isn't found often). The fuse's own internal resistance slowly increases with age and use. Something else to consider when bad fuses are found within a circuit; why did the fuse fail, what else may have been damaged by the high amperage condition that caused the fuse to fail, and did the fuse react quickly enough to prevent damage in circuitry the fuse was supposed to protect (this is unlikely, however be very careful with devices that have had their fuses replaced already. For some reason there are people that will replace a fuse with a higher rated fuse. If you can find the circuit diagram for the item being repaired, it is always good to check the specifications of voltages on each sub-board and power protection devices. Keep up the good work!
I used to work on construction sites and they would replaced blown fuses in building tools with aluminum foil or some fence wire or something, man was that scary to work with, I'm glad I don't work there anymore
"Let's get it over to the blue mat" I've noticed u saying that a few times lately. Is that your new catchphrase Vince? I like it! 😉😉👍
I wonder if Mr V and Tronicsfix have these pauses between videos so they can send the same mat to each other ;)
@@dodgydruid no Steve's at tronixsfix's mat is in much better condition 😂 but Vince had his first. I reckon Vince is just a trend setter 😉
@@dodgydruid also, what pauses? Seems like Mr. V is firing out the videos non stop lately! I dunno how you get them edited and out so quick Vince! Great work! 👏
You are an entertaining guy. ya know that ! Keep it up. Best wishes from Carlow , Ireland. Richie.
With the sad music playing through most of the video, I thought for sure you weren't going to get it working.
Nice surprise at the ending! Can't believe it was just a missing solder joint and a loose display cable.
Love your reaction when you fix a product Vince. Great video.
Thank you :-)
Great video good fix the audio will sound better when you take the unit of the carpet as the carpet is blocking the sub woofer so you will get no bass in the audio range. Stay safe and see you in the next
Another Rollercoaster of emotion on this one, well done ol chap
Wow they crammed alot in that I agree I think they focused on the style than the components and internal design layout probably because they don't expect people to take them apart.
yeah great video Vince, think you should learn the rule about fitting everything back together before the final test. yes if there are moving parts then use all the screws and bolts, like in a coiled spring, or belts and pulleys. but for electrics, then should be fine with 2 screws holding something into place like a back panel. because it is sods law! that it isn't just the fault that you have found that needs repairing. keep up the great work, basically made your money back in 1 item there without the other DAB radios you repaired so far.
“I’m going to be taking a look at this shower proof radio”
Place your bets on whether it’s water damage now....
you all probably dont care but does anyone know of a trick to get back into an instagram account?
I was stupid forgot the account password. I would love any assistance you can offer me.
@Rey Legend Instablaster =)
@@reylegend3678 if you've got a fb account, don't go through an app, go through your Internet browser and hit "continue using facebook"
@@reylegend3678 sorry. Just realised tha5 was 5 months ago
Vince you should do more tv and mobile stuff I really enjoy those videos👍👍👍
I'm addicted to your video's. Thank you for all your time and effort in uploading them for us all.
Another great one, thanks as always Vince!
Welcome to John gluewis.
Perfect! 😂
I’m ‘stuck’ for a witty response!! 😂
@@AndyJenkins999 At least you can stick it into the wall
Haha :-)
you know its high quality when they glue in the cables ahahah
To be fair, with a built in subwoofer you'd want to protect against the connectors rattling loose.
@@unimportant5122 to be fair, you can get cables with lock in connectors :)
@@JuicyJakeRepairs Agreed, unfortunately they too can still vibrate and detract from the overall sound, especially when it comes to sub woofers that have large excursions close to the connection, to which can be fixed by wrapping foam over whatever connector and then zip locking the foam.. 😉
@@KorAllRBare I don't know the patent name but it use to be a thing they used on all sorts of electronics, you could toss it around and the device would fall apart but the locked pins would not move at all. The connection of the lock was a tight fit you had to almost break it to unlock it. Stuff like that is barely used anymore at least I didn't see it in a while now. Laziness and the fact nowadays everything is made not to be repaired.
“Whoever has this apart before probably knew what they were doing” - clearly not good fix Vince!!
I thought I had the video on 1.5x at first. You talk really fast at the beginning. Love the channel! :)
RTE packed their DAB broadcasting up I hear ............Thanks for this video ...........
Call me weird but for some reason I love it when you get excited when something you doing works/comes on etc.. lol
Craig Finlay you are weird 😂😂😂
Yes I am 😂😂🤪
He’s nearly as bad as that Ben shepherd on tipping point lol
Quick Question for Vince: Great Videos. Thank you so much. Quick Q, I have one of those Cello units. CD audio is VERY very quiet. Can assume that is probably one of those ribbons come a little loose? Won't know till I check, but as you mention, these aren't the easiest units to get into / work on - so thought I might ask you first!
This is the channel i've been looking for for ages.
Love the “victory” music! Keep up the great videos.👍👍👍
The quarantined being in me thanks the quarantined being in you. I always loved your videos, but now they are specially welcomed. Thank you!
Thanks Mr Keebs :-)
I got a cheap factory reject for the same reasons from Ebay and found your video. The power supply delivered 15.175 volts to the extra low voltage board. The front fascia connector on my board is the other way round to yours when seen from left to right (black brown red orange yellow) whereas your factory reject (18:36) is yellow orange red brown black. I do not intend to rewire before checking whether the ribbon cable to the front screen has come loose (the low hanging fruit you identified). Thanks too for the tip about Isopropanol alcohol making glue easier to remove...works like a charm. I have hope of a fix now, and they are nice units. Thanks.
The biggest jinx to any repair project is reassembling before testing 🤣🤣
Well done, you cracked it in the end,🙏🙏
I have one of these. At first I was disappointed with the dynamic range. It lacked treble. Tried all the equaliser settings but they were very poor. Then turned off the sub woofer. The treble response was much improved. Try that trick.
What a beautiful device, really good design choice!
Hey could you make a video on how to get started with soldering, like what paste you use and what solder you use, and give us tips on soldering, I would love to learn
Yay Vince has fixed it!
Checks time line.....oh :(
One other Point Vince, always use ESD protection (Electrostatic) Wrist strap and grounding kit, lot of this stuff can easy be damaged by body static (some of the devices fail with just 20V overload)
its photo veneer so no even real wood. Not surprised at all Vince that this didn't sound good great video., though i suspect that the damage was caused through vibration from transit to from the factor to store. I suspect that's why the screen was unplugged too. Great video
I like to look your fixing videos
Greetings from Germany
Nice to get a fairly easy fix like that, some you win and some you lose. I guess it never got a proper soldering in the factory.
I just got one of these off ebay - it works ok but the remote control doesn't work. I checked that the remote is working (you can see the light working when you look at it through a camera) so I'm guessing there is a problem with the infra-red receiver. I'm guessing that it must be somewhere in the front panel. Do you have any advice about this sort of problem? Thanks
21:16 Nice choice of CD, Vince
Your the best youtuber ever vince
Vince.. if you are keen to get this unit to sound a whole lot better, source some acoustic fibre sheet "insulation that looks like a thin layer of cotton wool" a thin layer of foam can also give good results and line inside of the enclosures external surfaces with it, if you get it right you will be amazed at the warm rich result you can get, in fact you could go crazy and do a video on "Improving your Bluetooth's tinnie sound" APU I dropped a like..
Awesome. You got it working!!! Enjoyed the video
that back on/ off switch never ever gets bad. :)
The first time you checked power from being plugged in..you hadn't turned it on at the back of the radio.. but great job on fix as always.
The plug connectors were glued to try to prevent them shaking loose and possibly rattling, because of the internal subwoofer. If it really was cheaply made, the wires would be directly soldered probably.
Interestingly following this video I bought one of these units pretty cheap and described as not working. Turned up today. Found the fault was the neutral line had become disconnected (was never connected) on the rear switch under the heat shrink, soldered on and powered straight up. The unit looks almost if not brand new. Thus given my experience and this video I would conclude the quality control of these when they left the factory was garbage.
That is a very good good radio, I really think your underestimating the sound quality, please check the tone control settings, you also download an app that will allow you to control the radio on your WiFi extra options from the app includes longer sleep timer visual list of all your preset stations. Please check EQ settings or better still adjust it yourself.
Hi Paul, do you know the name of the App?
When you clap and say welcome to John Lewis, I just imagined an emloyee at John Lewis doing that at the doors when customer come in 😂
Hi Vince. Could you do a video on the Amazon Spot. Many have flashing screens and can't be fixed. Any chance??
If all peoples be "my mate vince" the earth would be saved👊
Great work
On the contrary; if all be Vince, i be unemployed. 😉
This unit can sound amazing for its size! Try playing with the User EQ in the settings menu. If you don't get some nice deep bass then maybe your subwoofer isn't connected properly????
"Welcome to John Lewis!" is now my exclamation of choice.
Great fix Vince. Am I mistaken or did Sainsbury used to label their own brand electronics as 'Cello' ?
Ours always says "no disc" and stuff - we think it's struggling to read older format CDs
Have you found that?
Nice Fix once again 👍🏻
great job Vince
Vince , where did you get you blue screw tray and little hard brush from ? ( If you don't mind me asking 😉😁) , keep inspiring us 😀😀
Thanks :-) Both from Amazon (UK). Blue mat is called a 'soldering mat'. Brushes are called 'flux brushes' and you cut them (the bristles) down to size, the shorter the bristles the harder they are, longer they are the softer they are :-)
I love 7:03 where the power switch turns itself off as you unplug it. 🙂
Awsome fix. Sad on that sound. It is a looker!
Hi Vince. I've bought four of these from Ebay (I think JL are disposing of stock from store closures through re-sellers). They are great pieces of kit but one oddity is that they all have different software versions & when checking for software updates, three state as none available but interestingly one did have an update which I downloaded & installed. One of the differences is that this update includes a handy clock standby option in that you can choose either the digital display or a very nice circular analogue style dial. Any thoughts as to why the other three all have different software versions and will not recognise & update to this later version with the afore mentioned additions to the clock settings? Thanks. J
Fixed!
*oh* vince.... :(
That moment when you hit power and you're certain you've fixed it and nothing happens 😍 "Ahhh forgot the mains switch duhhh" *click* _STILL_ doesn't work....pass me the rope :/ I've been there countless times.
"Stay well and stay sane." Words to live by.
Great Job.. Happy you hear to The Killers..
(21:50) - Looks to me like the previous person had two of these Cello DAB radios, both faulty.
One had a faulty power supply, the other had a faulty main board.
So what does he do ?
He takes the good power supply and makes one good unit.
Meanwhile, you get the radio with faulty main board and faulty power supply.
Never mind.
You're half way there at this point.
>
Nice to watch but I never box up before testing. I replace LED strips in TVs and always test before reinserting screen
Vince you are the man!!
try and mess around with the eq on the speaker for bass and treble controls?
"yeeees well yessss, welcome to John Lewis" - Vince 2020
What kind of soldering equipment do you use Vince? Be good to see a video on the subject :)
Yes,the box is just MDF stuck together, finished with a veneer DC fix/ Fablon .
Oh the John Lewis radios are lovely... How come i keep seeing them broke then? lol.
You watch too many repair videos?
@@Jeff121456 Possibly lol. I've just bought a JL one so I'm paranoid as well 😂
@@Scott-M1 Nah. I think they're internally crap for the price. ¶=
another great video just shows you these Chinese manufactured products there quality control must be rubbish hopefully British companies will start to manufacture all electrical goods again i rather pay a lot more and help the British economy but it was a very cheap fix for you are you keeping this unit or selling it on Vince
When your connectors at the front were discovered to be disconnected, perhaps the stereo performed this check where whenever it tries to turn on, it will be like "ok my speakers are connected, my display is connected, wait a second! Hold up! My dvd player is disconnected! Abort start up sequence!"
Same thing happened with my camera. The display was disconnected, so it wouldn't turn on until I pulled it apart and connected the display
7:34 you pulled out the black cable Vince.
Which toolkit do you use
The piggyback module looks like a Frontier Technologies unit. If you go into Settings > Equaliser > adjust bass & treble.....the sound will come alive.
vince your the man love videos keep it up
Great video Well done 😊👍
Thanks AR :-)
Great fix 👍 nice stereo !
Thank you Paul :-)
Good god I love this channel I do.
I think it something to do with the ribbons one looks lopsided which means something is not making contact.
Like the Edvard Greig music morning from Peer Gynt.