Magnificent!

[whirlcool]

Jason:

Your turntable may need relubrication. What you describe about the set down point can be a lack of lubrication problem. You may want to check out the Service Manual to find out what should be lubricated with what type of lubricant. This should probably be done every three years or so.

 

[jasonl]

Ok. Know where I can find a service manual? I'll have to check that out.

 

[tolivac]

Are the Sam's "Photofact Service Folders" still availabe?They would have the service info on the portable "Maggie' Hi-Fi.Haven't had to look up something in years.I have some Photofact folders on some of my items.Usually many major electronic part suppliers had access to the folders.Sadly you had to get the set that contained info on your machine-the set had folders on others.It was well woreth it though-had parts lists,lube and mechanical adjsutment info,alighnment info,etc.

 

[tolivac]

Sams is still around-and it looks like you can order the Photofacts over the web from their site-just type in the model-chassis# of the machine you want the info on-they should have the infor needed to fix your Maganavox TT in your record player.

Where the pros shop for Photofact manuals, Quickfact manuals, service manuals and owners manuals | SAMS Technical Publishing

SAMS Technical Publishing previously known as Howard W. Sams offers high quality technical repair manuals. Manuals include our own original Photofact manuals, our own original Quickfact manuals, OEM service manuals, OEM user manuals and much more. To learn more please visit www.samswebsite.com...

www.samswebsite.com

 

[panthera]

micromatic by collaro

This turntable was one of the micromatics made by collaro. They were quite superior to most of the stuff VM was turning out by the late 60's...better rumble characteristics, better quality control, better speed control...
But well known for that positioning problem. The mechanism is quite a bit more complex than the VM of that period. There are some parts of it which need lubricating - and some which do not. Best to find a shop manual before you hit the oil can. There is a site in England where you can get parts and info from folks who are fans...not that I can find my link on this computer. When I get back to the uni tomorrow I will see if I can find it.
Most of these had an anti-skate system, by the way - so you might want to check that.
The two I had in the 70's needed cleaning and aligning every year or so - but they were in 24/day use (background music).
Collaro also put out some magnetic cartridges for their better tonearms...
A great machine and fun to hear. That cycle change with the "click!" brings back memories. Thanks for sharing.

 

[panthera]

just noticed something

Ok, just noticed something. That changer is running faster than my micromatics did. No, not the platter speed, but the 'automatique' as we used to say.
The micromatics of this era are a bit beyond my ken, but you might want to check if there aren't two idler pulleys under the platter if there are, then one of them is for the changer mechanism. You can reset that one down from 45rpm (which it seems to be running at) to 33. That tonearm is hitting the records a bit harder than I remember...and the set down of the tone arm is too brisk.
Just an idea - it may have run down on its spindle, you might have accidently lowered it - or some kid thought the super double clutch shift was 'groovy'. I know I experimented. (16 rpm was really weird).

 

[jasonl]

Hmmm

Yep, it has 2 idlers, the smaller one drives the turntable and the bigger one drives the mechanism. Well, maybe that's part of the problem is the automatic clutch is hitting the wrong spindle and running the changer into over drive. The turntable does spin at speed. I checked a 45rpm of Venus by The Shocking Blue against an mp3 copy and the speed/pitch is about right.

If I tweak that little set screw on the side of the tonearm it will play properly for while until I have to tweak again. But I know that's not the fix, so I need the Sams photofact.

But still, YAY for Maganavox and perfectly automatic record changing. I almost forgot how fun and hypnotic it is to watch a record spin and then hearing the changer click-clunk and go through all those motions just to change a record.

 

[rickr]

Jason, there is a countersunk screw on the right side of the turntable baseplate. Under the tonearm toward the back. That screw is the adjustment for the tone arm setdown.Only move the screw a VERY slight amount,at one time. The stylus should set down in the first part of the record lead in groove.

I like my Collaro changers to run slower during the change cycle. The reason for this,is that I do not like the stylus to set down on the record too hard. The facory sat the change cycle idler wheel to contact the 45 RPM "step" on the motor pulley. I have always changed the idler wheel to contact the 331/3 "step" on the motor pulley. Your change cycle runs so fast,the idler might be set on the 78 RPM "step" on the motor pulley.

If you have problems,email me directly.

Good luck,
Rick

 

[jasonl]

Rick

THANK YOU for the tip. I was sure you'd know how to fix it since you own a few Maggies.

Oh what a fun changer! Forget V-M! Once you go Collaro, you never go back.

Also, is the tonearm supposed to swing all the way back after feeling the record? I seem to remember it would touch the record, then hover there while the record dropped, then it would duck under the stack to lower itself into the groove.

 

[jasonl]

Slowing the change cycle

Mine has a "16" step on the spindle. I can imagine very slow, lethargic (but gentle) record changes. I guess the 33 is perfect.

Where can I get grommets so I can kill some of the motor hum? It isn't bad but audible.

 

[rickr]

Jason,the older Collaro tonearm would swing all the way back to the restpost after sampling the edge of the record. Collaro designers changed the design to "hover" about 1969,although the changers looked about the same. One way to tell if it is the newer style,is look to see if the baseplate has the lock down latches. Only the older style has the baseplate screws.
The older style is a far better turntable BTW. The newer style was built cheaper,and the changer was powered via a gear from the turntable,just like VM and the rest of the cheaper record changers. And the change cycle would speed up on the faster speeds,on the newer style,like most record changers did.
You have the good one there Jason.Your records will be pampered,played on that machine. Maggie will sound great cranked up in your new house!

 

[jasonl]

YAY for the older Collaro

YAY! So I have a "GOOD ONE". I had a later 70s Maggie that was like you described. I was able to make it work but never heard it play because of no stylus. I'm so happy I have the more "built like a tank" collaros.

Magnavox had everything right. The stereo just fills the room with music, no cranking up necessary. It's not tube but it's very warm sounding. It's as good as it gets as far as a tabletop stereo goes.

I have experienced a full-blown Magnavox console before and I'm hoping one day to find one to use for a home-theater system. An Astro-sonic with a 32" LCD Television set on top. Now that's a clash!

 

[panthera]

found it

Hi Jason,
Looks like you're getting better help than I can give, so will leave it be - I'm working here from memories from the 1970's.
The site I mentioned yesterday is British - they discuss everything having to do with antique radio and hi-fi.
Here's the link:
http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?p=55587 You'll have to navigate back from that a bit - and log in. But lots of interesting links and advice on these wonderful turntable.
Ok, one last piece of advice: The set screw is perfectly capable of exerting enough force to crack the idler pulley. Silly thing is not made of the best metal. So don't apply too much force. If it is set to high (45) then there is even a chance some fool put it on upside down.
Sigh.
I wish you all the pleasure in the world with this unit.
Oh, the motor mounts. If you can't find any, try one of those ubiquitous parts suppliers for model airplanes, trains and robots. Lots of that type of equipment needs similar isolation.

 

[jasonl]

WOW!

It's like a UK version of Audiokarma. Lots of Collaro information there.

Thanks alot!