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'65 Magnavox Magnasonic console record player

radiotvnut

radiotvnut

Super Member
A few weeks ago, I saw this Magnavox console record player at the flea market. When I first saw it, I noticed no indication of it being solid state anywhere on the unit; but, after I got it home, I discovered that it was indeed solid state and has a date of 2/65 on the chassis. The cabinet is in above average cosmetic condition; but, I had to fix one of the leg mounts where it had ripped out of the cabinet bottom.

When I pulled the back, I discovered that someone had robbed the speakers. The only speaker left was one of the original cone front firing tweeters. I had a couple of full range speakers that I salvaged from a cheap '70's Morse console; but, it would be nice to find some Magnavox originals. This originally used two 8" woofers and two 5" cone tweeters.

The changer mechanism works perfectly; but, the needle is broken and it appears that the cartridge output is weak. I got a very loud buzz when touching the phono input terminals of the amp; but, I'm going to recap the amp for good measure. I'm also going to do some cleaning/relubrication on the record changer in order to make sure it continues to work perfectly. From my experience, these '60's Magnavox Micromatic Collaro record changers were among the better ones that were more gentle on records. I've still got some records that were heavily played on such a changer and they sound fine when played on a component style turntable.

I've included a picture of the remaining tweeter. Hopefully, I can find a matching tweeter or possibly someone could recommend something that's currently made that would be a good choice. I've also included a picture of the warranty tag that I found inside the stereo. You're not likely to find this kind of warranty on modern junk.

This must be my week for finding consoles with missing speakers. The other day, I found a '63 Westinghouse that was missing it's speakers.

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In order to get a warranty anywhere close to that today, you have to pay for it. In many cases, the factory warranty is only 90 days and they'd probably not offer a warranty at all if they could legally get away with it. It really irritates me when I see how far down the toilet quality has gone since this stereo was made. It also irritates me at how many people think "newer is always better". If I someday decide to sell this and put a price on it that reflects what I have invested in it, I can guarantee that most people will not give it a second look because "it's old, obsolete, and probably won't last long." Yet, these same people will go out and spend anywhere between $100 and $300 on a new made in China plastic Crosley that sounds like total crap and won't last very long. The other day, I was in Sears and they had a stack of those Crosley all in one systems that had the cheapest looking plastic turntable of anything I'd ever seen and I think they were $119.
 
I have the '63 version of this unit. Mine is intact and restored by member Larry D. Let me know if you need any info about it. I don't think you're supposed to run the amp without the speakers attached.

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I was talking with I guy I work with earlier about old stuff that is fixable vs newer throw-away items. The radio on my desk at work was made in 1958, and all its had done is a re-cap and maybe a tube or so replaced. Thats a pretty small amount of work for it's age. I would wager most things now couldn't make the same claim in 50 years.
 
Neat. They dreamed up such cool names for things in the sixties. "Magnasonic"

I remember RCA had "New Orthophonic" for record players and "New Vista" for TVs.

Doug
 
I think they were using the Magnasonic name as far back as the '50's. During the '60's, their better solid state models were known as "Astro-Sonic".
 
Yes, you are, of course, correct and I even fixed a 1966 Astro-Sonic for a guy a few years ago too. It had a Collaro similar to yours but had a newer style tonearm.

And "Astro-Sonic" is even more sixties than "Magnasonic"

:D

Doug
 
I've got a '68 Astro-Sonic that uses the newer silver collaro changer with the metal tonearm. I think they switched designs around '66-'67.
 
We had that same solid state console when we were growing up....ca 1965.

I wouldn't recommend spending a lot of time searching for the original woofers for this. IIRC, it sounded like ass.

Probably the best part of this console is the intact Micromatic. There are better Magnavox consoles to spend time fixing.
 
weak cartridge

If you can find a good high output Tetrad cartridge, that would be a good replacement for the weak cartridge. Note that the tone arm has NO provision for tracking force adjustment. Good luck.
 
Try these from MCM only $8.00 ea no affil.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/MCM-AUDIO-SELECT-55-2971-/55-2971
8" Woofer with Poly Cone and Rubber Surround ***foam edge might rub baffle***
Rated Impedance: 8 ohms
Operating Bandwidth: 50Hz ~ 6KHz
Power Handling Capacity: 70W RMS
Sensitivity (1W/M): 89 dB

no affil
Or a much better solution $28.00 each are the Celestron Super 8 15W 8 Inch Full Range Guitar Speaker
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/CELESTION-SUPER-8-/55-4736
Sensitivity 95dB
DC resistance, re 6.4 Ohm
Frequency range 100-5000Hz

no affil.

Hate to say it .....................but Dadbar makes a reasonable point. couldnt find any efficiant suitable Goldwins at P.E.
The Celestron would be a good fit as they were efficient and used in open back cabs .
 
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vaguy1 said:
If you can find a good high output Tetrad cartridge, that would be a good replacement for the weak cartridge. Note that the tone arm has NO provision for tracking force adjustment. Good luck.
Click to expand...

The Micromatic actually has an adjustable spring that sets tracking force. The manual recommends setting it to 3g with the stock Electrovoice cartridge.
 
Some of you guys can say what you want about the sound of this or other consoles but the point is to actually have one of these that works. That is the goal. Time and money aren't so much the chief factors.

Oh, and Dude111, your problem is probably oxidation between the ceramic elements within the cartridge and contacts to them, which are just a pressure contact, and not the stylus. Particularly if the stylus shank is fitting snuggly into what is called the yoke. It may be possible to take the cartridge apart and clean these areas, depending on your skill and cartridge construction.

Doug
 
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Doug G. said:
Some of you guys can say what you want about the sound of this or other consoles but the point is to actually have one of these that works. That is the goal. Time and money aren't so much the chief factors.

Oh, and Dude111, your problem is probably oxidation between the ceramic elements within the cartridge and contacts to them, which are just a pressure contact, and not the stylus. Particularly if the stylus shank is fitting snuggly into what is called the yoke. It may be possible to take the cartridge apart and clean these areas, depending on your skill and cartridge construction.

Doug
Click to expand...

I agree, all of the old consoles sound like ass next to more modern components systems. That's not the point.
 
Dude111 said:
They knew how good thier stuff was then and wanted ppl to be assured they had them covered in case something did happen to it....

I have a Magnavox from 1968 i got for christmas from someone online,they apparently put the wrong needle on it I think as the audio keeps cutting out on 1 speaker when playing songs quite alot! (If i push the tone arm down it comes back so its obviously the needle or the wiring in the tone arm loose im not sure which but im assuming its not the correct needle (They didnt bother looking for the right needle for it so they got the first thing they found -- QUITE DISGUSTING FOR SUCH A FINE PIECE OF EQUIPTMENT))

www.vinylengine.com/library/magnavox/micromatic.shtml

@ first i thought it was the amplifier in the player but when i pushed the arm down and it came back,i quickly realised what it might be!
Click to expand...

The trouble is most likely an intermittent cartridge. Being from '68, it probably uses one of those slim cartridges with a long metal tail mounting bracket. Unfortunately, this exact cartridge is no longer made and was hard to find 20 years ago; but, www.thevoiceofmusic.com offers a couple of updated cartridges to replace the one that you likely have. One is a NOS EV cartridge that Magnavox used in the '70's and the other is a Pfanstiehl P191. The P191 is current production and is the same cartridge that's used in cheaper modern record players, with the addition of the metal mounting bracket glued to the rear. I can't tell you how either cartridge will perform in your unit. I figure the old EV cartridge from the '70's will be better.
 
Aerobat said:
I agree, all of the old consoles sound like ass next to more modern components systems. That's not the point.
Click to expand...

Some of the vintage 1960's maggie consoles have wonderful woodwork, nicely crafted tube amps and decent sound. The particular console in question had none of those qualities. I can understand the owner's desire to bring it back to original condition....it just seems that there are nicer pieces from that period to devote the effort to.

Just my 2 cents....
 
Dadbar said:
Some of the vintage 1960's maggie consoles have wonderful woodwork, nicely crafted tube amps and decent sound. The particular console in question had none of those qualities. I can understand the owner's desire to bring it back to original condition....it just seems that there are nicer pieces from that period to devote the effort to.

Just my 2 cents....
Click to expand...

Point taken.
 
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