HI-FI s

[mrb627]

Record Changer

I love the operation of that Magnavox record changer where the tone arm measures the record size before dropping it on the turntable. Simply awesome!

Malcolm

 

[112561]

Collaro

In 1956 or '57, Magnavox stopped using Webster changers and ran the Collaro until they quit making consoles and Phillips really took off to destroy "Magnificent Magnavox". The late Collaros were sort of crappy from what I understand. A mystery to me is the lower level changer referred to as the 400, I think a company named Balfour made them. They have that touchy feely arm too. I love the way they fitted them to match the Magnavox theme in those years. Here's my 1966 Micromatic/Microsonic, it needs a new ceramic pickup. It rotates for a minute and a half after shutoff.

 

[112561]

Here's a 400

Before they switched to the single tower control to the right of the motorboard. (flickr image)

 

[MikeS]

I Miss Our Old Console

I'm a confirmed believer in component stereo, but when I was growing up, my parents bought a Sears Silvertone console stereo for the living room (circa 1969). It had the usual three-speed record changer and AM/FM stereo, plus it had a cassette player/recorder. I used to tape songs off the radio (when my sister wasn't hogging the stereo with her Bob Dylan, Stones and CCR albums)! Years later, it went into storage--we couldn't pay the fee at the time and lost it. I sometimes wonder if it's still around. Ah, memories...!

 

[112561]

Department store consoles

Those Silvertones were like the Kenmore washers, a lot of product for the money. Montgomery Ward had a furniture line in the late 1950s called Suburbia. One of their consoles had a Suburbia cabinet.

Silvertone Combo

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I've never seen a Magnavox with a Garrard. There were a few low-end Magnavox sets in the mid-50s with VM changers.

Magnavox bought Collaro in 1960 (see link):

Ken D.

Loading…

books.google.com

 

[panthera]

Speed

That Imperial Micromatic is a very good piece of engineering.

When you lift the platter you'll see two idler wheels. One is permanently set to just one speed and can't touch the platter, it is for the changer mechanism.

The other is supposed to move up and down against the stepped motor shaft to change speeds. The linkage to arm which moves it can slip out, dust and thickening lube can 'freeze' the post on which the control arm rests to one speed as well. I suggest you try gently shifting speeds while pushing/pulling very gently on the arm on which the wheel rides. If it moves easily and smoothly then springs back to one speed, then the problem is in the linkage, easy to just hook back up as one end will be hanging. If gentle pressure won't move it or it moves gratingly, then the post it rides on needs cleaning (and the resistance might have knocked the rod driving it loose).

Wonderful consoles, great turntables, Magnavox really built some good stuff.

 

[cfz2882]

forgot one..

forgot to add to my list my 1976,russian made, "kantana"
multiband phono-bought it on ebay from chisnau,moldova
(shipping cost a bundle!) It is all tube with selenium
rectifiers,so '50s era technology.has 1 woofer of about 8"
and 2 tweeters.The voltage switch on the back had a position
for 132v,so i set it there and works good on 115v. 50hz,
so phono runs fast on 60hz.

 

[spankomatic]

Speed

Thanks Kevin! Great information to check out.

Jim

 

[jeffg]

My favorite is Robert's:

 

[rickr]

.

My 1965 Magnavox

 

[rickr]

.

1950's Magnavox HI FI

When I purchased this, it came with a 1980's pos BSR changer in it. The original Webster changer was long gone. I rebuilt and installed a late 1950's Collaro, which is a much better changer anyway.

 

[rickr]

.

Collaro changer.

Love how it has "Feather Touch" printed on the tone arm...

 

[rickr]

.

Controls and tuner.

Anyone know where I can find a "print" for this? We cannot locate one, and the amp could use some work.

 

[112561]

Rick, love your consoles!

If you are not a member of Yahoo Group Magnavoxfriends, join them, they may have the schematics on it.

I have the 1953 "Playfellow" with the Webster changer. I borrowed the needle out of my 1965 set for it, and as long as you don't flip it, it plays fine. My '57 changer needs a going over, and a new cartridge. The '59 was nearly destroyed while I was in hospital and rehab for six weeks. I need a 12 inch woofer. The cabinet would not have been wrecked if I could have stayed home and brought it inside. The big '65 set needs capacitors.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

rickr wrote:
Anyone know where I can find a "print" for this?

A model number will not help here, we need the chassis number, often rubber-stamped on the radio/amp chassis.

Ken D.

 

[danemodsandy]

Rickr:

You might also join www.antiqueradios.com, if you haven't already - those guys can come up with anything, it seems. I recently posted a research question on an obscure '50s TV, with nothing more than a photo for them to go on. Within 48 hours, I had a model name and number, plus date, plus a link to where I could buy the Sam's manual.

They're very nice people, too.

 

[rickr]

Thanks for the information guys! I will check out those sites, and look for the model/chassis numbers also.

 

[jasonl]

Representin'

I own 4 at the moment

1968 Console
1967 Tabletop
1969? Portable with the small changer
1973 Console (now dead. Probably needs new caps or work on the power supply)

Here's the 68 console doing its thing.
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[cfz2882]

a big one!

that one is huge! -must have a large record stowage area?
do you know the amp output wattage?