How to convert an old radio to a Bluetooth speaker with a TDA7294 amplifier
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- A simple way to turn an old radio to a classy bluetooth speaker, using a cheap TDA7294 board.
You can also use your smartphone, Google Assistant or Alexa to control this speaker via the app or using your voice.
The radio is an old Nordmende Rigoletto radio.
The board used is a SANWU® 50W+50W TDA7492 CSR8635 with Bluetooth 4.0.
Feel free to comment and don't forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked the video.
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE!!! Thanks!
Music:
Fig Leaf Times Two by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (creativecommon...)
Artist: incompetech.com/
This was fun build, and i love the look on those old radios, probably will do more in the future.
That's awesome! I see old radios for sale all the time in thrift stores. Cheap too, but electricity is not really my bag, man...but that kit looked rather simple, I may look into it!
Yeah, it's so simple even I could do it😂.
It gives these old radios a new purpose, and I love their look. Thanks for watching.
Cool video i fixed my old grandma radio and made a guitar amp sounds amazing
it really proves that anything that is vintage can get a second life!
Yes it can, and it looks so much better than those fake vintage bluetooth radios.
@@AtticBuilds it's still garbage as you threw away all the tube Eletrónics that make it worth it
@@BavarianM Yes it's a beatiful piece of "garbage" decorating the living room. As for the valves and all that precious stuff inside, they were long gone when I found the radio and saved it from the trash...what a crime....
I do wish you showed the music coming from the vintage stereo, but this was still very great and easy!! Thanks
Probably copyright issues.
The sound as expected isn't that good,after all it's a cheap board. Thanks for the support.
@@AtticBuilds so what's the point making a radio with a bad sound? putting in a bluetooth speaker for 20€ would be even better then.
@@zerobambiro And if I told you that I only listen to music in the car, now that is mindblowing...
I would have tried to add some yellow leds (sort of what filament bulbs like) as a backlight for that radio dial and an analogue radio(FM) board in it detaching the knobs on which the dial turned... And adding the radio pot there.. It would be nice if you add a volume control also on the same place of the old volume control pot.. Anyway.. Nice save buddy....Edit: Love from INDIA❤❤
You should be an amazon affiliate then link the board and speaker you used so when others (like me) click on the link and buy it, you'll get a commission.
Thanks for commenting in future videos I'll do that thanks.
Thanks for this easy way to add bluetooth. Be good if it could light up the front dial as well
Thank you, yes it would look great. I thought about it, maybe i'll do it in the future.
Could an l.e.d light be wired into the power of the module?
@@kiwiace625 Yes, if it uses 12V
I Don't wish to be negative, however i am hoping that the radio used in this video was beyond economical repair.. These radios have a beautiful sound, which can't be reproduced by any other means (than valves).. On the upside, it's good to upcycle things and give them a new lease of life.
I think it's repairable, that's why I left all the inside intact. The radio is more of a decorative piece, and it looks amazing.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@AtticBuilds Repairable?
It has nothing at all inside anymore !
Yes, just like I found it when I saved it from the trash...
Thank you for the great video!!! I was listening to great music from. 40s and 50s music on Spotify today (always tell people I am born in the wrong decade). I would love to do this. My question is, can I get the sound to be vintage? I love the raw sound these radios and turntables produced back then
This is a cheap board the sound isn't that good as expected.
I think with a more advanced board it would be possible.
Buy a working vintage radio and plug your Bluetooth box to the aux
@@BavarianM What vintage radios have aux jacks my dude? They didn't start showing up til like the late 90s/early 2000s
@@geologicksome of the higher end radios back then came with phono ports for plugging in record players and stuff and you can get phono to aux adapters then add an aux Bluetooth receiver from there
Cool vídeo, basically ur using the speakers, avoiding the radios controls (volume and tuner selection) and transistors (radio tuner)... am I right?.
Yes, it lacks some parts and I lack the knowledge 🙄.
It's basically a bluetooth speaker with that vintage look.
Probably in the future I will modifiy it to turn on with the original button and add some led lights to light up the display.
Great video but I'm having trouble finding that board to purchase. Could you please provide us a link?
I got this one from banggood
banggood.com/50W+50W-TDA7492-CSR8635-Wireless-bluetooth-4_0-Audio-Receiver-Amplifier-Board-NE5532-Preamp-p-1109777.html?cur_warehouse=CN
here I show a way to add Bluetooth and keeping tube sound + kepping the radio 100% original
When I watched this video I heard my Saba Freiburg 6 3D whispering "don't you dare....."
Thank you?
A beautiful Nordmende FM valve radio with 3D sound in a wooden cabinet .. perfect!
How did using one channel of a stereo amplifier work ? What about matching the 8 ohm amplifier to the radio's 5 ohm speaker or the 50 watt amplifier on the radio's 6 watt speaker ?
I see someone had already removed the components from the radio chassis, I wonder if they ever thought that they could have used the radio amplifier and put the signal through the pick up input .. shame they didn't realise that. It would never sound as good as the original radio with it's Class A valve amplifier and 3D sound and added bonus of FM as well as auxiliary input.What a pity. It's now also worthless too.
Too bad you didn't show us how it sounds :( great video btw !
Thank you, it doesn't sound awesome, but for that price you get what you pay for. It was a fun project and I use it a lot.
Hi thanks for this video! I have a 1940's radio I'd like to do this to, could you answer a few questions? My radio still works so far as it turns on and the light comes on and when I turn up the volume I get a fuzzy buzz from the speaker, do you think my radio is a good candidate for this treatment? Most of the other tutorials I've seen have been on radios that are just completely dead and the person working on them does not use the old speaker. It looks like you are using the original speaker, is that correct? This is what my preference is. Is this a project someone with no electrical experience can take on? It looks very simple but I'm worried I may be wrong.
As for experience I have zero so anyone can do it 😉. The buzz in the speaker probably means it's not in perfect condition, but that is to expected after all it is a 40's radio.
You can replace it with a new one. But I probably would mantain all intact and add a new speaker directly connected to the Bluetooth board.
The buzz could be interference from a switched mode power supply, or a defective H.T smoothing capacitor.
No, putting the Bluetooth amplifier onto the radios original speaker should not be done because the amplifier is stereo and the radio only has one main speaker. Also the impedance of the speaker and amplifier do not match. The radio speaker is only rated at 6 watts and the amplifier will be more.
It's about 1957. The buzz will be either RF interference or a duff H.T smoothing capacitor.
I just picked up a small wood tabletop 1940s radio that I’m going to put a smart speaker inside. I’m looking for a led lamp solution to make the dial glow. I’d prefer one that runs off of a battery pack so I don’t have to run a second cord into the radio. Any ideas where I could find this or what to search for on eBay?
People are replacing their CB radio knobs with backlit ones and from what I could find this is a good place to start www.worldwidedx.com/threads/source-for-led-light-ring-for-controls-aka-nitro-knobs.225451/
This video has a diy solution if that may interest you czcams.com/video/LhBer4TtjmY/video.html
I hope that helps, thanks for commenting
Does this board come with everything needed? Or do you need to buy the power supply jack? Am I correct in assuming the bluetooth receiver is part of the circuit board?
You need to get a power supply.
Yes the bluetooth is part of circuit board.
@@AtticBuilds is it just any old 120v single pin power supply?
I used an old 12 V DC power supply with 3.5 jack, it will run from 8 to 25 V.
Nice video...very helpful, only one question...in this video it's shows on the screen TDA 7492 but you wrote on your headline TDA 7294 ? wits one isn't the correct one to order ?
Thanks for commenting, and for spotting the error it's tda7492.
Here is a link to it
banggood.app.link/D4hFgxPJ6ab
Attic Builds Thank you so much..Great idea...gone do the same thing...
It's a simple project, but these old radios look amazing. Good luck.
Attic Builds thanks...👍
Thank you for the video!
What type of converter have you used?
I used a simple TDA7294 amplifier. tHanks for the comment.
@@AtticBuilds I meant the adapter. But it's ok. I figured it out.
Buongiorno e grazie per aver condiviso il video! Un domanda, ho notato che un primo momento hai inserito i cavi dell'altoparlante alle prime 2 uscite e poi ho notato che i cavi sono di un colore diverso ed ahi utilizzato le altre 2 uscite. Sei intervenuto in quanto non ti funzionava nei due primi canali? Grazie ancora! Sandro
I cavi sono stati sostituiti da quelli interi, quindi ho usato le altre uscite. Grazie per il commento.
@@AtticBuilds Grazie per la risposta, il modulo ha due uscite per due altoparlanti, quindi presuppongo che facciano effetto stereo, tu hai collegato soltanto un uscita e l'hai collegato all'unico altoparlante della radio, come si sente con un solo altoparlante? Grazie ancora
That is not converting the radio, it is ripping out everything and replacing it with modern electronics. You could add the bluetooth module to the origional tube amplifier and do it in a manner that is completely reversible. instead this destroys irreplaceable electronics that are no longer made.
Ok read the other responses to that same question. The radio is exactly as it was found no ripping was done
@@AtticBuilds o, it looked like it was, my bad
No worries, you are actually the 1st to akcnowledge that.
I would add a light and an use of the switch and volume knob.
The idea of adding a light as crossed my mind. Using the volume knob or switching it on using the original buttons is a bit too advanced for me.
You only hooked up one side of the sound output. Does that mean you'll not get the full stereo sound and only left or right sound, or is it in mono??
Yes it's exactly that, the other speaker was dead anyway.
Any have links as to what to buy?
can i ask a question? I followed your video and have converted a couple of vintage radios now and they look and sound great, but when you switch them on and connect to a bluetooth device the volume of the connection sound is so loud!! is there any way of turning this down so it doesnt scare me to death?
It will depend on the board used, assuming it as a volume control I think it should be possible.
Dont damage originality of antiques i am very sorry
What poweradapter did you use?
The board uses a power supply from DC 8 to 25V, I think I used an old 12V adapter.
Not liked why you destroyed German made Grundig antique peace rare model 😢😮
And about twitter?
"Ze Bluutooth devaice is readee to PIAR!"
Ciao , bella idea , vorrei mettere in funzione una vecchia radio in questa maniera , dove hai acquistato il kit ?
50W+50W TDA7492 CSR8635 Wireless bluetooth 4.0 Audio Receiver Amplifier Board NE5532 Preamp Module Board from Electronic Components & Supplies on banggood
banggood.app.link/n8D6BpcEujb
like it a lot, great idea!
Yeah for such a small price, about 9 € it completely tranforms an unusable radio into a smart speaker👍
Thanks for the GREAT tutorial. I just ordered the same board you used and I have my eye on a very nice old radio (which doesn't function anymore) I just want to know what are the specs of the power adapter you used?
I'm using a 12 V power adapter, the specs are 8 to 25 V so anything in between will do the job.
I'm glad to see someone inspired to do this and save another of these old radios from the trash👍
@@AtticBuilds You are so right. In the days they made beautiful radio's. I am looking for one which doesn't work anymore and re-animate it ;)
Today I bought a Telefunken: Allegro 2183. It’s in mint condition from the outside. From the inside it’s dead. But I will try to fix it. There are 3 speakers inside. What’s the best way to connect the card?
www.radiomuseum.org/r/telefunken_allegro_2183_1.html
This is a working radio, same as mine.
czcams.com/video/IDaIhn5GwS8/video.html
I am looking for a light for inside which will light the front panel. And I will look for a small blue light as seen in the original one... 😋
If all the speakers work, you could connect the middle one to one channel and one or maybe the two in the sides to the other channel. Test it out mine is using only one speaker and works fine, it's not stereo though. But for the board low price the sound quality is not amazing, so... I decided to do this project so this old radio would become more than just decoration.
@@AtticBuilds That's a GREAT idea. I will try that when I receive the card. I also think to place a led strip at the back which goes inside too to provide the inner part of the radio too.
For watching: turn volume off and go 2x speed
Thanks for the sugestion, and for commenting.
i never destroy a nice antique radio w/ modern junk parts ,,,,,, china parts ,,,,,,,
I didn't destroy it so... I really don't understand your comment...
That's a stereo board and you're using one speaker?
Yeah I know, but the other speaker is dead, and I didn't have a replacement.
But it works just fine, this is just for fun, instead of just buying a bluetooth speaker.
@@AtticBuilds Most solid state amps will not tolerate having one channel not connected to either a speaker or a dummy load (it usually blows out the the output transistors). Also, by not connecting the other channel, aren't you missing all of the sound from that channel?
Thanks for the info, I will probably go and connect a 2nd speaker.
how expensive thou
It's a cheap board so about 10 euros
Could you off that background music is disgusting to hear nobody can hear the Bluetooth music playing
wtf that was a 35 dollar restauratioon??
Actually it's a 10 bucks "conversion"
Does it auto connect with phone?
It's just any bluetooth speaker so I assume it will do that. I have it disconnected and then ask google to "play music on the old radio". It will turn on and connect the Bluetooth and play music.
@@AtticBuilds Ok, great. I'm trying to find out which one suit's best for my old boombox. I think this one will do the trick. Thanks!
Proof most can not live without that phone!
Che bestemmia 😞
this is a crime. That BT-module can be connected to the tube-amp of the radio via the turnable-input. Just keep those antique radio's alive and kicking!!! Sorry ... I dislike the way you're treating old technique!
So the fact the radio is just a box with most components inside missing doesn't matter... You may dislike all you want but the fact is that this old radio was saved from the trash.
@@AtticBuilds you didn't save the radio.
You re-purposed it, using the box and speakers.
And that's ok. I didn't know the radio was already totally empty except for a metal chassis and some speaker .
So I can only blame the one who cannibalised this radio before you.
The video is intended as a demonstration of simple and quick way to bring life to these old radios rather than go buy one "old looking" modern radio.
I didn't even screw the board down, just hot glued it to keep the radio exactly as it was before.
What a crime ....
So saving an old radio from the trash is a crime...
Nice touch to be honest, the enhancement barely touched the original hardware and the Bluetooth transmitter can be taken off easily. Well played 😉
Not really. I have just converted a very similar Grundig model. If I had got it running, what medium, long or shortwave stations are still available? My plan was to leave the old interior intact. But as I accessed different areas inside the box, old plastic just crumbled. Pulleys broke at the touch. It looks great, sounds great, lights up like the original.
The radio chassis had been touched, the mains and output transformers as well as valves have been removed.
What a waste of a beautiful valve amp and tuner.
Really, and how many "valves" did you see inside...
@@AtticBuilds Yes really.
I saw none ... no valves but I said waste of a "valve amp and tuner" not a waste of "valves".
As the chassis is still there but stripped clearly someone butchered it to put in a cheap shitty two bob Chinese Bluetooth board with equally rubbish integrated amp. Probably because the valve amp was too complicated/High current to maintain/repair.
I notice the original speaker is used too but not the tweeter ....probably because its electrostatic and needs more current than that board has so and more complicated wiring .... that still wouldnt sound 1/10th as good as the original valve equipment.
As I said .. a good sounding radio ruined. It would've been so much better just putting a Bluetooth board in and activating it through the phono circuit and powered by the original valve amp, couldve also retained the tuner and volume control on the front knob instead of fancying about with the small button on a phone.
If you can wire a plug you can do whats in this video but you'll be making something with a great tone sound mediocre and be more complicated to use.
You haven't "repurposed" or "upcycled" anything here ... you've simply ruined something nice because it was far easier.
@@Rush-gz9sx The radio is exactly as it was found, so I saved it from the trash and gave it a new life.
Now it sits on my living room mostly as a decoration piece as I don't even listen to music so much.
You clearly missed the point of the video, the fact that's easy to do is the point, as not everyone is as capable as you sound.
@Attic Builds the radio isn't as found. They didn't come from the factory with the internals absent and just a chassis. So as I said above "clearly someone butchered it" whether it was you or a previous owner ... its been butchered.
The 50s to early 60s German valve radios were the best in the world at the time ... by quite some margin. In fact only unnecessarily expensive solid state audio today can get close to the sound of a well sorted valve amp.
Nordmende was one of the middle to upper brands. I think yours is a 1959 Rigaletto and was lower to middle of their range. The Rigaletto is quite a rare model now as everyone wants the top of the range Tannhauser model... so even more of a shame its missing its very essence.
Whoever stripped it instead of fixing it ruined a very good radio. I stand by what I said.
@Rush2005 You clearly like to miss the obvious, either you don't understand or don't want to.
So let me make this very easy... You win.
Crap the radio needs to light up