"Andrea" EL84 Stereo Console Restoration

[artsybob]

A little while back I posted about a pretty rare EL84-powered stereo console I had found, made by the Andrea Radio Company of New York (a successor company to FADA, a radio manufacturer from the 1920's and '30s). The electronics inside looked great, but the cabinet desperately needed refinishing. This weekend I finally got around to refinishing the cabinet. Here's what it looked like before:



I sanded it down and applied the wood finish. I still need to apply the polyurethane coat. Here's what it looks like so far:

 

[Pio1980]

Very nice! A friend refinished one of its predecessors, which I now own.
Like this one, I got an identical Rola horn speaker from the restorer for it:

https://www.bertibenis.it/FADA 192A E.htm

 

[tonyg88]

What changer does that use? Looks nice.

 

[artsybob]

What changer does that use? Looks nice.

It came with what I believe is some kind of flavor of the Voice of Music 1200-series changer. Debating whether or not to leave it in there or to replace it with something more audiophile-grade

 

[tonyg88]

It came with what I believe is some kind of flavor of the Voice of Music 1200-series changer. Debating whether or not to leave it in there or to replace it with something more audiophile-grade
View attachment 1686459

That is actually one of the better changers. I'd keep it

 

[artsybob]

I can't forget to not include pics of the goodies inside. The amp had four German-made (possibly Valvo) EL84's, though one sadly broke and I had to replace it. It also has two Raytheon-branded 7199's

 

[tonyg88]

I can't forget to not include pics of the goodies inside. The amp had four German-made (possibly Valvo) EL84's, though one sadly broke and I had to replace it. It also has two Raytheon-branded 7199's

View attachment 1686486 View attachment 1686487

Looks like bigger transformers than my magnavox pp el84 amp. Nice. Cool rectifier tube

 

[Dswankey]

Nice job!!!

 

[Pio1980]

I can't forget to not include pics of the goodies inside. The amp had four German-made (possibly Valvo) EL84's, though one sadly broke and I had to replace it. It also has two Raytheon-branded 7199's

View attachment 1686486 View attachment 1686487

The amp chassis looks pre-punched to be configured as a stand-alone control center amp without a tuner.

 

[artsybob]

The amp chassis looks pre-punched to be configured as a stand-alone control center amp without a tuner.

I noticed that too. I might make it a standalone amp if/when the tuner succumbs to silver mica disease.

 

[gadget73]

Not all the IF trafos do that, but they're fixable if it does.

 

[Pio1980]

Not all the IF trafos do that, but they're fixable if it does.

Yes, but required a instrument bench alignment afterward, which is why I don't bother and they go in the parts pile.

 

[gadget73]

I've got the equipment, but considering how little I really use FM its hard to justify the effort.

 

[artsybob]

Got the first coat of polyurethane on, the top looks like it needs a second though

 

[gadget73]

Did this by chance come from another AK member in your general area? I seem to remember a guy who used to be on here that did a lot of buying and selling, and I think he had an Andrea console somewhere along the way.

 

[artsybob]

Did this by chance come from another AK member in your general area? I seem to remember a guy who used to be on here that did a lot of buying and selling, and I think he had an Andrea console somewhere along the way.

He might have been that guy, though all I know about him was that he was really into Star Wars and wanted the console moved out of his basement to make room for more Star Wars paraphernalia lol. He lived over in Glen Burnie, MD but I'm pretty sure he wasn't AK member larryderouin

 

[artsybob]

Looks like bigger transformers than my magnavox pp el84 amp. Nice. Cool rectifier tube

Thanks! It's a Sylvania 5U4GB

 

[gadget73]

James something comes to mind. My second Garrard Lab 80 came from him. He was at one of @Ohighway's fall meets and put it in the "please take this for free" pile. I felt pity and took it, figuring it would be good for parts at least. It came with the single play spindle and 2 headshells. Its not the prettiest thing, but its far less cantankerous than my nicer looking one.

 

[63pontiacgp]

Very cool. I have a couple of FADA's.

Mike