Magnavox Stereo Console

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mr_jms

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Joined
Aug 31, 2007
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My Magnavox Stereo Console from 1968 seems to have a problem with the left channel speakers. I no longer get sound from them. The right channel speakers work fine. I've checked the wiring in the back but cannot locate the problem. This particular model has the turntable on the left, radio on right. The tv which was in the center had been removed in 1995. The left channel spearkers worked great until about a week ago. Any suggestions on what might be the problem? Thanks.
 
I find with these older units it is usually in the selector switch. This is the switch that controls am/fm/turntable/tv/aux. I use some tuner cleaner and keep moving the switch around for a minute or so. The other culprit might be the speaker selector switch. Do the same with this switch. If you have had no smoke from the unit that usually means nothing too drastic is going on. Have had the transformer go and you can smell and see that happening. Hope its an easy fix.
Jon
 
If you had a transformer fail-something generally caused it to fail-like a bad filter cap in the power supply-or a shorted rectifier in the power supply.Its very rare transformers fail on their own.And if a transformer failed "on its own" be sure to check ALL power supply parts-the failing transformer may cause the parts to fail at that time-or fail when a new transformer is installed.
 
Magnavox Console

Whirlcool: Correct....I do not get any sound at all on the left side. I get full sound on the right side.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try this.
 
Switches

I concur with the speaker selector switches. Oxidation over time causes speaker dropout. My Magnavox console did the same thing.
As a coincidence I am repairing a 1972 Fisher this July 4th morning with exactly the same symptom.
 
I'd do the following:

Check speaker leads for connectivity.
Clean Switches with a product called "DeOxit" available at Radio Shack. Clean them from behind the switch. There should be a little hole in which you can squirt this stuff directly into the pot.

If all that fails it could be a bad cap or bad output transistor. This will require more detailed investigation. Do you have the schematics for this unit?
 
In the Magnavox Hi-fi described-sounds like the selector switches and volume control may need cleaning as others have mentioned.Over the years switch contacts and volume,balance,tone control "pots" get dirt in their contacts causing the intermittent operation.If the "pot" is sealed-then it will need to be replaced.
 
My Family Retired Business But I Am Going To Be Saleing The Magnavox Trouble Shouting Manuals For Repair Dealers Or Repair Shops And I Also Have Some Old TElevelsion Knobs And Also Some Spindle Adapters For 45 R.P.M. Records The Kind You Can Put More Than One Record At One Time Depending On The Model Has I Have Some Diamond Needles I Also Would Need The Model Number And Brand.You May Contact Me By Email @ [email protected]
 
and speaking of $40.00...

After searching several years for a "close" Magnavox Concert Grand I managed to find this one on Craigslist, 975 miles from me in Eugene Oregon. The seller had it orignally listed for $80 with no takers so she cut the price in half. I told her it was really worth a lot more but she wanted it to go to "someone who appreciates it" since it was her parent's and she's in the process of clearing out her late mom's house. She couldn't be nicer to deal with either. She said the stereo has sat in the same spot for decades and looks and sounds like it did in 1959. I found a large company that will wrap and ship it to me for $320 which seems like a bargain since this power-hungry beast is very heavy...40 vacuum tubes between the 4 amplifiers, tuner with multiplex adaptor and the innovative radio-controlled remote. I can't wait until it arrives.

twintubdexter++7-28-2012-15-31-29.jpg
 
I'm not sure how much use it's had in the past few years. Her mom passed away in January, her father a number of years before that. She said it got more use when they both were together. Mary, the owner said she had the radio on and listened to a few LP's and she felt is sounded great, no hum. I just feel so fortunate to get it. I hope it arrives in good condition. I'll have to move my 68 "freebie" console out in the garage since I have limited space. I think the Winsdor, the Concert Grand and the Imperial Armoire are a nice collection of Magnavox stereos...any more than that and they ask you to be on "Hoarders."

twintubdexter++7-28-2012-20-01-28.jpg
 
Capacitors

I dare say you already know about the dangers of leaky capacitors in these old sets but thought I would mention it just in case. Looks like a lovely piece of kit anyway!
 
Beautiful 1959 Magnavox tubed HI-FI-still looking for one like that.My Mom had one.Loved listening to it-FM tuner or records.My Mom donated her Magnavox to Salvation Army after she got a new Onkyo receiver and Infinity Speakers.Told her I would have paid for the shipping to get it to me.
 

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