rca/collaro changer

[fonografmaniac]

here's something you don't hardly see in an rca unit

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[jasonl]

not the original

I'm sure that ain't the original turntable in that unit.

 

[bundtboy]

I dunno

I didn't think it was either, but it does say RCA on it in the left rear.

I'm confused about that.

Also, I have almost that exact same model in now for servicing, which uses the standard RCA type changer we're used to seeing. This is a model SHP-12 that I'm working on, whereas the one on ebay is a HF-190.

So...I wanna say I don't think it is original either, and yet, it looks possible~. If it is a replacement, the guy did a lovely job of it.

 

[bundtboy]

another photo

Here's a better photo of the record changer.

 

[rickr]

I think the changer was replaced also. That RCA emblem may have come from something else. (perhaps the top of a 45 rpm adapter??) Anyway it looks good there, over the Collaro emblem. <:

 

[fonografmaniac]

bundtboy, lol! that overarm and the record feelers looks like the ones in a vm changer.

 

[paulg]

CANADIAN unit

I believe the unit has a Collaro changer because it is a Canadian unit.
Not sure, but the Canadian market generally doesn't exactly follow the same traditions that we are accustomed to.
I've always found that Canadian equivalents of our gear is just a little different in some weird way.

 

[bundtboy]

Canadian

I bet that's the right answer.

It looks right, only perhaps a bit foreign.

OK - so - based on our collaborative experience - which is the better changer?

Also, I THINK the RCA changer is made by VM - it certainly does have several VM looking parts.

Cool thread.

Beats the hell out of nasty dead rodents and stale cakes~.

Also, Yes, phonographmaniac, I will be happy to post a youtube video of my cool Zenith console. I'm hoping to have another computer soon which will be near the Zenith so I can make the video.

Thanks.

Bob

 

[paulg]

Stumped.

I believe the Collaro changer was a better one overall. The VM units were a great bang for the buck.
And you're right, the other RCA changer looks Vee Emmy.
I would have to look at the guts to figure that one out. Now I don't stump easily on changers but the SHP-12 changer did me in.

 

[bundtboy]

Collaro & stacking 45's

Well, I can see that the American RCA changer was more clearly designed to accomodate the fat 45 spindle, which was very important here in about 1958 or so.

I'm guessing that the Collaro would require that you have inserts for your 45s and does not use a 45 spindle, as you can notice that the stabilizer arm only fits the Lp spindle size.

Also, what is that little black Witch hat in the left rear of the unit? Is that the little foreign 45 adaptor? If so, it looks like a manual play adaptor, for one at a time 45 cuing - which just ain't right. 45's are to be stacked on record changers (or used in juke boxes).

 

[fonografmaniac]

canadian models

i see other collaro changer like that with the rca logo and one time on ebay i saw a 1960's rca stereo console with a garrard changer and this unit was located in canada.

 

[rickr]

The Collaro changer was designed so that the balance arm was not needed for 45 rpm records. In fact it always stated in the manual not to use the balance arm when 45 rpms were played.

 

[panthera]

Collaro

and VM were competitors. If we discount the professional (and they were outstanding by any era's measurements) equipment VM built, then it is only fair to say that the Micromatics which Collaro was building at that time were considerably better.
Every one I have ever seen from that period has a little note pasted on in which that unit's rumble and speed variance is noted.
Personally, I think the VM units were a marvel of mass production and it is a pity they couldn't up the quality just a bit more.
Their last 2g units were astonishing examples of what you can do with tight production controls.
Why shouldn't that have been original? The cut-outs are so different between a trio-matic of that era and a Collaro, I can't imagine any repairman going to the trouble to put in a new base in exactly the same shade.

 

[jaxsunst]

Our neighbors had that unit with that changer when I was growing up. They only used it to play 78's, they had another console in another room for everything else.

 

[jasonl]

45s on a Collaro

I don't have the instructions for my Maggie but I found out the hard way not to use the overarm for 45s. They won't fall. Just stack'em and let it be. The Magnificent Magnavox does the rest. I've had some records that refused to drop but it was the record itself, not the machine.

I do like the VM machines as well. I grew up with a Philco console with a 1968 VM tt so I have a soft spot for them too.

BSR... ugh.

 

[rickr]

Website on Collaro changers

here it is....

http://www.geocities.com/[email protected]/collaro.htm

 

[fonografmaniac]

rickr

dude!, i go to that site all the time. it shows other changers as including some of the very 1st changers.

 

[jasonl]

Record changers site

I've read that whole site over and over again. What a wealth of knowledge.

The only thing is. He says Collaro made changer up until 1993. Is that for real? I guess they were made as replacements in aging Magnavox stereos.

The Dual 1006 is mentioned as well as the Thorens TD-224

 

[rickr]

I just ran across that site, and have not checked it out that well. I will have to take a good look at it when I have the time. Looks like a great site!