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magnavox console and matching aux speaker...

BransonAuct

BransonAuct

Member
Just bought this pair from a guy about 50 miles from me, hes dropping them off today. I haven't gotten a chance to see them for myself but he said he collects old radios and that they worked well with no hum and such...anyways I decided I wanted them so I'm taking his word that they work.

Anybody know whats inside? I've done some searching but I can't find a match pair like this. There used to be a thread with lots of magnavox stuff but I can't seem to find the one I'm thinking of. I know its tube stuff but was wondering about the drivers. I'll get to see them soon but the anticipation is killing me.
 

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Looks to be a phono only model ? It also looks like a 12 and a 15", no horn. I'm guessing AMP148, which if memory serves is a 4 6V6 ppp amplifier without the bi-amp stuff. I could be wrong on the model of the amp but I'd bet thats the correct configuration. It looks like the same scrollwork on the bottom of the aux speaker I have which dates from 1957. Mine was the aux speaker to an am/fm/phono console.
 
OOooh. Magnificent Magnavox.

I dont know the model personally but if you are going to seperate it all, there is bound to be good stuff inside.

It is definately Toobish and the Speakers are probably some of the best made in that era. Magnavox got many of their speaker designs from Peter Jensen before he started his own Company. Magnavox 10" & 12" speakers are sought after by those that know. (guitar amp use)

Keep us posted and PICS also.
 
I'm really looking forward to getting them set up, I've had lots of consoles but never a pair like this. Now I have to figure out where to put them, kind of looks like my old b/w maggie tv console is gonna have to go. I'll definitely get more pics soon, kind of thinking about driving the 50 miles to get them instead of waiting for him to deliver tomorrow. I want these NOW!
 
BransonAuct said:
I'm really looking forward to getting them set up, I've had lots of consoles but never a pair like this. Now I have to figure out where to put them, kind of looks like my old b/w maggie tv console is gonna have to go. I'll definitely get more pics soon, kind of thinking about driving the 50 miles to get them instead of waiting for him to deliver tomorrow. I want these NOW!
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are going to use them as is. Good. Keep that old Boy alive.
 
I finally got them...jackpot.

Each cabinet contains a 15", a 12", a 5" and a 4" speaker. All the speakers are functioning. AMP 176 AA on the preamp, AMP 175 A on the amplifier- 2 12AX7, 2 5Y3GT, 4 6V6GT. Everything works perfect, the sliding doors on the front and top are all glass. None of this stuff appears to have been messed around with and all the tubes appear to be original with Magnavox printed on them. I am actually amazed at the condition of these consoles, Aside from a few light nicks and scuffs here and there they are in awesome condition. I couldn't be more satisfied.

I'll be using a Marantz 2250b as a preamp plugged directly into the PHONO inputs as the tape inputs on the Magnavox are mono. Now, if only the turntable would spin I could install the NOS cartridge I found inside...pics in the morning.
 
VERY NICE :thmbsp:

even though there's no hum (not uncommon with magnavoxes :D) you should consider recapping the amp to prolong the life of the tubes and transformers.

I converted a 185 maggie amp to the 175 circuit (removed the balance circuit though) and it's one of my favorites . . .

as for the turntable, it probably just needs the spindle bearing repacked with fresh grease.
 
After listening to these at a louder volume today (didn't get them set up until late last night, Neighbors) I've decided that they sound quite nice although there is a light buzzing from one of the 15" woofers when it hits certain notes. I guess I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for a beat up old console with similar woofers, or I was contemplating some that I have laying around...I'll want to make sure that I'm not going to throw the impedance way off. It's really not bad enough to warrant a lot of work until I can find the right drivers. All of the others are definitely functioning, both channels are equal volume, everything seems quite nice.

I have read many posts here at AK about the benefits of a recap and I will definitely be giving it a shot. I should be able to search around and get all the details figured out.

My real problem with these, and what's making me actually consider parting them out, is that they stink. I mean they really smell bad. The guy I bought them from lived one street over from a Tyson chicken processing plant, when I went to pick them up you could definitely tell how close it was from the smell. I have to figure out how to get rid of the smell or they will have to go. I've had other consoles that stank before, its hard to describe the smell but its definitely not pleasent. I can't decide if this is the same smell as the other consoles, the chicken plant smell, or a molotav cocktail of both. I think I'll start by blowing all the dust out and maybe a bit of febreeze on the grilles.

I've got these set up about 20 feet apart at 45 degree angles pointing directly at my listening area. Imaging is good, stereo seperation is excellent, I am overall quite pleased with my purchase and will be looking around Tube Audio for some easy mods and ideas. Thanks for everyones input.
 

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I love seeing stuff like this finding good homes. :)

I don't think I've ever seen glass sliding doors on a console before. That set is really something to be proud of. Congratulations!
 
They don't make them like that anymore! I absolutely love the time and effort put into cabinet back in the day. You can see the pride in workmanship, something you don't see even in a lot of the better stuff manufactured today. Congrats on your find. John
 
After messing around with it a little more I've found that if I just touch the cone with my finger the buzzing goes away and it sounds perfect...I'm thinking about turning it 180 degrees and reinstalling? It could work...and the cost of repair would be right...
 
BransonAuct said:
After messing around with it a little more I've found that if I just touch the cone with my finger the buzzing goes away and it sounds perfect...I'm thinking about turning it 180 degrees and reinstalling? It could work...and the cost of repair would be right...
Click to expand...

definitely try flipping that woofer ! :thmbsp:

if it doesnt work, shoot a PM . . .
 
Be a shame to kill such a beautiful piece for a little odor. You could try putting a box of baking soda inside and maybe cleaning the grills with upholstery cleaner or something. Oh, you have checked for dead animals inside right. ;)

mike
 
No dead animals although I have yet to take the back off the auxilary speaker...that was the first thing that crossed my mind. The chicken processing plant by the sellers house smelled so bad it almost made me gag. I hope it will go away after awhile, I think the grille cloth is what is holding the smell. I'm kind of thinking about recovering the grilles with black material. Febreeze...
 
mashaffer said:
Be a shame to kill such a beautiful piece for a little odor. You could try putting a box of baking soda inside and maybe cleaning the grills with upholstery cleaner or something. Oh, you have checked for dead animals inside right. ;)

mike
Click to expand...

also, it sometimes takes weeks for unmentionable odors to vacate old consoles . . . but it somewhere airy, use the baking soda, and revisit it in the spring :D

it'll give ya time to clean it up, rebuild the TT, and recap the amp :thmbsp:
 
As far as the turntable is concerned I have an old Maggie TV console with an identical TT. It works, but I've never had a stylus for it and really never took the time to mess with it since I really only use it once a month or so for watching TV or background noise. I just got it because it was cheap and I wanted an old tube TV to play with. I should be able to mix and match parts to make one work for the new console. I think the TT that's in it now needs a lot more than just grease, the platter spins freely but when you twist the knob to "start" the table just moves a little bit in the wrong direction and then nothing more. I've never had too much luck trying to repair old TT's, I try to only buy them fully functional since so many are available. It would be worth it to get this one running just to have the console fully functional. I'll be taking both apart and trying to get one playing. I was also thinking about dropping a Dual 1009 in and just running it through my Marantz 2250b, I'm currently using it as a preamp plugged into the Phono jacks so that I can run multiple sources. This setup doubles as a HT for me and will really get used a lot. Plus its nice to have more tone controls and I can run everything in stereo since the magnavox only has mono inputs for tape and tuner.
 
BransonAuct said:
I was also thinking about dropping a Dual 1009 in and just running it through my Marantz 2250b, I'm currently using it as a preamp plugged into the Phono jacks so that I can run multiple sources. This setup doubles as a HT for me and will really get used a lot. Plus its nice to have more tone controls and I can run everything in stereo since the magnavox only has mono inputs for tape and tuner.
Click to expand...

thats a cool idea . . . I almost always run my console amps with a SS (vintage) receiver for source selection . . .
 
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