PYE MODEL 715/3 'FANFARE' (CIRCA 1967)

The Pye model 715/3 was manufactured for G. A. Wooller & Co. Ltd by Akrad Radio Corporation Ltd in about 1967.

Other radios based on the same chassis:

2 or 4-transistor battery or mains portable record player (mono).

Vinyl-covered hard case with piped edging and padded top

The battery-powered units were designed to be fitted with a (now obsolete) 9V Eveready #739 and while a modern 9V battery could be used to replace it, it would not last very long as they are tiny by comparison - a 6-cell AA battery holder would be better and would probably fit neatly in the available space - although you should use 6 of the biggest 1.5V cells that will fit for the best battery life.  The red wire is PROBABLY positive, but, as they say, "assumption is the mother of all F*ups" - so check that before hooking it up wrong and blowing the germanium transistors (which are now mostly unobtainium).

It is likely that three different Fanfare variants exist - although at this time only the 715 and 715/3 circuits are held - the 715/2 has possibly been seen, but its service info is still at large.  Internal photos of any variant would be appreciated.

Pye 715/3 'Fanfare'
Early version at bottom, newer on top

Technical Information

Valves (4 Transistors):
P715 early: 2SB54 or 2SB77, 40264 or 2SC514 or 2SC515
P715/3 and other models: 2SK30/R FET, CS9013, 2SD96, 2SB370

Chassis Notes(most schematics can be clicked to download a full size version)

Probably the original P715 circuit - note the high voltages in-circuit!

Pye 715/3 'Fanfare'

Pye 715/3 'Fanfare'


P715/2 circuit not held, if you have it please get in touch


The following is the P715/3 schematic - the last of the Fanfare circuits, and is a more conventional transistor circuit design used in several other models

Pye M721 'Porta Player'

Pye M721 'Porta Player'

General Construction Notes for Akrad Radio Corporation Ltd:

Akrad sets often consist of 3 (or 4) numbers (eg: 518, 1059) or number-letter-number (5M4), and a common pattern exists for these sets: The first digit(or 2 digits in the case of 10-or-more valves) is the number of valves, the second is the number of bands and the third is the last digit of the year. Where the middle digit is a letter rather than a number it generally refers to the type of set - M for mantle, P for portable, G from radiogram etc

Often sets can be dated by the speaker, as many Akrad sets from the Pye era have the date of manufacture stamped on the back of the magnet housing.

Other documented models using this chassis (5 in total)

YEARMODEL NAME
1972 Pye model 721 'Porta Player'
1972 Pye model 719 'Party Time'
1972 Pye model 717 'Vagabond'
1972 Ultimate model 702 'Vagabond'