random record console question

[classiccaprice]

Just curious, since there are so many vinyl lovers on here, who do you think made the best record player console (or player period?)... Magnavox, Sears, Emerson, Stromberg-Carlson, RCA, Montgomery Wards, Fisher Price, or somebody else I forgot? I'm just curious to see the responces.

 

[selectomatic]

Perhaps predictably,

I'm gonna cast my vote for Seeburg.

-kevin

 

[frigilux]

Don't know that it's 'the best', but my favorite record changer is a late '50s Magnavox (Collaro (sp?) changer). Watching ours buzz through a stack of 45s provided many, many hours of enchantment when I was a little kid.

Maybe that explains why I've also become so fond of my Frigidaire TL'er with its indexing tub. Sorta kinda hypnotic.

 

[lightedcontrols]

Roanoke Robert (aka Lady Kenmore) has that very model Seeburg console and really loves it! I on the other hand, love my Magnavox console, and my RCA Color TV console Stereo that I use as a daily driver at the West Virginia house. The RCA has the floating cartridge with the StudioMatic changer. The Magnavox sounds the best though as the RCA has a cartridge that is so sensitive that it picks up LOTS of vinyl noises and pops that the Magnavox filters out. Mark

 

[whirlcool]

I was always partial to the TOL Zenith consoles with the 2-G tonearm.
Voice of Music consoles were great as well!

 

[djmjlcst]

Mags and Burgs!

No question, it has to be a Magnavox console (or portable) stereo! Many of their portables had sound that would rival some console models! Plus, the Collaro record changer was the most fascinating mechanism to watch! I've had a lot of comments from friends of mine that weren't familiar with the action of the tone arm touching the side of the record for precise indexing! They thought it acted weird! For the convenience of coin operated phonographs, it has to be the Seeburgs! The Pickering magnetic cartridge just made the 45rpms come to life! I wish Seeburg was still in business - I miss them!

- Mike

 

[63getelevision]

The Magnificent Magnavox

I am anxiously awaiting this from eBay. I have four champagne colored changers, and two later model black changers.

 

[drewz]

Magnavox !

While I am a RCA Victor Collector, I must say that Magnavox always used the highest quality speakers available, which put their sets out in front of everyone else. RCA Victor had gone cheapo with speakers right at the point when they went from tube to solid state. Problem with RCA was they had alot of special order units (high-end) that most dealers would not stock because of the price, I know I have thousands of pictures of all of them, beautiful but in the $$$ in the early to late 60's. Then by 1974 they decided to make a quality line called the "Showcase Series" a little too late by December 1974 RCA annouced it was totally out of the audio business, which it remained until purchased in 1986 by GE then the real trash came out. GE sold to Thomson Electronics and got more trashy. It is a true shame all our Great American Companys are gone, RCA, Zenith, and Magnavox. Let's see how long we can hold on to Whirlpool? We really can't consider GE because they out-source so much you never know what you buying with their products. At least Whirlpool sticks with it's own divisions to make appliances all over the world.

 

[63getelevision]

I do love RCA Victor also, but of course, Magnavox is my first love. General Electric was a fantastic company, in my opinion, until like you say. I love my General Electrics. GE had high end hi-fi in the late '50s through part of the '60s. And they had wonderful console sets, plus table top components.

 

[hydralique]

What a wonderful catalogue, 63getelevision! I especially like that Danish Modern "Granville" on the left . . . just load it up with some good jazz and classic pop (Ella, Sinatra) and some easy listening (Percy Faith, Bert Kaempfert) and I'll be a happy camper!

 

[bundtboy]

zinnia on my Zenith

Of all the consoles I've owned so far, this one has brought me the most joy.

Snowball does not care for the sound of it, however, and I think this is due to the alignment of the horn tweeters too directly at her sensitive little ears. I think it sounds louder and clearer than any other console I've owned, although I can tell it's no where near as accurate as my best sounding stereo, it's still very impressive.

This thing will play a 78 like nobody's business. LOUD and clear and with wider frequency response than you might be used to hearing from old records, and with the 2g tone arm is sure to be as gentle as a feather and not cause much wear.

It is a model Y940 and it was born in December of 1967 so I guess you'd call it a 1968 model. The operating manual says it has 70 watts power output. There are also 942 and 946 models mentioned but not described which may have had 8-track or open reel tape decks built in.

 

[63getelevision]

Whoa Daddy!!

What zinnias? Here's a shot of the opening page of the 1970 brochure, with my favorite 2 Gram tonearm. Haven't successfully learned how to scan yet. You look like Aaron Tippin.

 

[48bencix]

Zenith

63getelevision

Your brochure is my Zenith with the touch control panel and 320 watts (music power). It does have a great sound and fun mediteranean styling.

Zenith gets my vote.

Martin

 

[63getelevision]

Richland

Hydralique, I almost got this GE "Richland" reel to reel stereo console at Salvation Army, the house is really cramped now, but this was a prize. The sound! And I love the type of music you mentioned. And Zenith is on my console list, saw a gigantic one like Martin's, don't know if it worked. I'd MAKE room for that.

 

[hydralique]

OMG . . .

that Richland looks to be about 10' long! Sure to guarantee lots and lots of stereo separation, and also to hold several pitchers of Martinis on the top (on appropriate Danish Modern woven-wood trays, of course) should friends drop in to listen to a little Gleason (most preferably his album "Music, Martinis, and Memories").

 

[63getelevision]

Close But No Cigar

68" wide, 25" high, and 17.25" deep. "Lonesome Echoes," anyone? It could have flanked my television, replacing the two smaller sets next to it. God knows where it went. People around here aren't very high minded. 1955 album cover by Dali.

 

[lightedcontrols]

Last year I found....

a Motorola console with tape deck STILL in THE ORIGINAL BOX! I posted photos and was the first to open the boxes of attachments! Maybe Robert can find the post and pix. Can't wait to get it in the new home. Mark

 

[rickr]

1965 Magnavox

I say Magnavox first, and Zenith for second.

 

[selectomatic]

An iPod!?!!!? I should smack you right in the zinnias!

You're ruining it for me, Bundtboy!

-kevin