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1962 Magnavox console restoration

R

reallyaduck

New Member
I recently scored a turntable from goodwill for really cheap. Everything works- the turntable, radio, and speaker are loud! After doing some digging, I’ve found it is a 1962 Magnavox Micromatic model 1ST622R. I barely found any information online other than forums. I don’t know anything about the inner workings besides what I’ve recently researched. I plan on contacting a local vintage audio repair person. Hopefully they have experience with this sort of thing. I’m nervous to touch anything because I read that tubes hold a lot of electricity and can be dangerous if you mess with it. I’d like to clean out the dust for the repair guy but don’t want to damage anything. Any tips or literature is helpful! I’ve read in other forums to replace capacitors and obviously the needle. Also deoxit or something for controls. Anything else I can do to make sure this thing is safe and not a fire hazard? I’d like to use it regularly if I can.
 

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The electrolytic capacitors should be replaced at the very leased. The amplifier at the bottom of the cabinet also powers the tuner/preamp.
That silver can on the amplifier is a multi section electrolytic capacitor for the power supply.
It's well past its prime and should be replaced. I wouldn't leave the console turned on and leave the house. If that old cap can shorts out it can cause other damage to the amp. You can also use individual capacitors to replace the cap can mounting them underneath the chassis.I found the exact same console model sometime back. It wasn't in near as nice shape as that one. So I pulled the amplifier, restored it and modified it to be used stand alone. I still have the amp and listen to it in another system. It looks like from the blotches on the sides of the output tubes in the amp it has Mullard's. They're good sounding tubes.
 
Thank you! I’m not plugging it in again until I have someone look at it. I’m trying to learn as much as I can. How can you tell the multi section capacitor is past its prime? Also I have been reading things about 60Hz and 120Hz hums and ground loops and such. Do you know anything about that? It makes a low hum sound when it’s on.
 
@reallyaduck

I see you just joined so welcome aboard and here's hoping you enjoy your time here.

reallyaduck said:
I recently scored a turntable from goodwill for really cheap. Everything works- the turntable, radio, and speaker are loud! After doing some digging, I’ve found it is a 1962 Magnavox Micromatic model 1ST622R. I barely found any information online other than forums. I don’t know anything about the inner workings ..I plan on contacting a local vintage audio repair person. ...Any tips or literature is helpful! I’ve read in other forums to replace capacitors and obviously the needle. Also deoxit or something for controls. Anything else I can do to make sure this thing is safe and not a fire hazard? I’d like to use it regularly if I can.
Click to expand...

A couple of things, Congrats on your acquisition!! also it's not a "turntable" what you have is a Magnavox model 1ST622R stereo console. Micromatic is in reference to the TT.

Your thought process is in the right place, if you plan on keeping the unit to enjoy for yourself then definitely have a an experienced tube technician give it a thorough going over.

They should easily be able to assess the amps & TT's current working state and repair, replace etc if need be. All that dust is a good thing in the sense that it looks like no one has been in there messing around and thus likely it's still all original stock parts. No need to clean it out the repair tech should be used to that and should clean it up themselves.

reallyaduck said:
Thank you! I’m not plugging it in again until I have someone look at it. I’m trying to learn as much as I can. How can you tell the multi section capacitor is past its prime? Also I have been reading things about 60Hz and 120Hz hums and ground loops and such. Do you know anything about that? It makes a low hum sound when it’s on.
Click to expand...

Not trying to be a jerk and it's cool you want to learn but at this point just let the tech decide with regards to the cap, he or she will have the equipment and knowldege to determine that.

Multiple variables when it comes to "hums" could be a dying tube, could be dying/dead internals so on so on, the tech will figure that out for you.
 
In the meantime if you wanna do some research and learn more about the components in your console you have a Magnavox AMP 93xx Series power amplifier in there.

They are well documented and well thought of around here. The AK "Search" feature is a great resource and you should find a lot of threads if you're interested.

Here's what yours looks like


Screen Shot 2024-08-24 at 8.23.09 AM.png
 
Lavane said:
These really are nice sounding amplifiers once sorted out. They're one of the better sounding Magnavox amplifiers.
Good luck with your console and welcome to AK.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your input! I just called the one repair shop within 3 hours and he refuses to work on tube amps. I have the original schematics sheet and a father in law who is an electrician. Hoping he can help me replace the capacitors and check the connections. Any suggestions on where I can get the right parts? I need a new needle too.
 
Also, if I can’t get anyone to help me fix the tube amp, should I just put modern equipment in? The speakers and everything work so idk if I would just have to put in a different amp?
 
There are several companies that will make multi cap cans for you.
Here is a link to one. You will need to figure out the value of each section of thst can. It has 3 sections if I remember right? And they have to be wired in the right sequence. The first section is the most important. You don't want to go up too high in capacitance.
Hopefully some one will chime in and post a schematic for the 93XX series of amps along with what values in that can that will work. I haven't worked on any Magnaxox amps in awhile and couldn't find the factory schematic.
The amp I have has been modified.
There may be an AK'r in your area that can help also?

HAYSEED HAMFEST LLC

Hayseed Hamfest manufactures new single and multi-section can-capacitors for vintage radio, audio, and electronic gear.
hayseedhamfest.com hayseedhamfest.com
 
You can use different speakers if you wish. The output transformers on these amps have 3.7 ohm speaker taps. 4 ohm speakers would be best.
The crossovers have two non polar electrolytic capacitors on them. They should be replaced also. It would be worth restoring the tube amp since the power supply on it also powers the tuner, preamp, and turntable.
It shouldn't cost much to restore the amp if the tubes are working. They probably are. I've still using a couple of the tubes from mine in another amp I built.
 
We here in the UK have little opportunity to be as successful. Our charity shops, by law, cannot sell any electrical equipment that hasn't been "PAT tested." This costs money, so usually they don't.

www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

PAT Testing Explained | Electrical Safety First

Portable appliance testing or PAT Testing is the process of checking electrical appliances for safety through a series of visual inspections and electronic tests.
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk
 
That's the basic wiring design. It's helpful somewhat showing how things connect, tube types used, etc. Not really helpful for repair.
The capacitor can will have symbols like a circle, square, D, etc, on the side and usually on the bottom. Along with the symbols on the side of the can will be the capacitor values. Like maybe the D symble being for 30uf, etc.
Be very carefull poking around inside this console. There are high voltages.
The power transformer takes the mains voltage, 120v these days and steps it up to over 300v in this amp. That cap cap can store that voltage for a time even after the console is turned off. Even though the amperage is in the milivolts, it can give you quite a shock and possibly lethal.
 
reallyaduck said:
... I have the original schematics sheet and a father in law who is an electrician.
Click to expand...

reallyaduck said:
Cleaned up this diagram that’s still inside. Not sure if it’s helpful for this
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if you're confusing the "original schematics sheet" with the wiring diagram pic you posted, if so that is not a schematic.

Here's the original Magnavox OEM schematic along with the original parts list (see attached .pdf) for that model amplifier


93XX series Schematic.jpg
 

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reallyaduck said:
I’m in southern Oregon the Rogue Valley Area
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A lot of Ak'ers from Oregon, Maybe start here and introduce yourself and hopefully they can point you in the right direction for a technician near you

Any Portland Oregon clubs?

I have seen a few AK here from Portland Oregon, Vancouver WA area. Any interest in a local club? I am not an expert, but would love to learn and network with more knowledgeable members.
www.audiokarma.org
 
Dswankey said:
I'm not sure if you're confusing the "original schematics sheet" with the wiring diagram pic you posted, if so that is not a schematic.

Here's the original Magnavox OEM schematic along with the original parts list (see attached .pdf) for that model amplifier


View attachment 3281346
Click to expand...
Thanks for posting the schematic. I couldn't find the original I had. All I have is a modified schematic from Batradio that I used for mine years ago.
 
Good news! I found a record store 45 minutes away that has a technician willing to work on my amp! At first they said they can’t do a console, but when I mentioned I could bring the amp, they said they’re happy to test and repair it. I guess it’s just a small shop so they don’t have a lot of room. I’m going to have my father in law help me remove it safely and reconnect it when it’s fixed up. Any tips for transporting it safely? And anything else I should consider? Thanks for all your help.
 
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