Console, Tube or SS

[b brian]

I am looking for a tube console, either to pull or keep as is, and these two are local to Seattle.
I like the looks of this one, but at $1400 I don't like the price
And Mognavoxthis one is priced right

 

[gogofast]

yaiks! the first one is beautiful (not so much what's inside), but for that much money, you can get an entire tube setup. second one looks ugly. be patient and you'll find one that you really like at good price. seen bunch of consoles on seattle CL. good luck.

 

[RWood]

They both look like SS to me, but I'm not as familiar with the GE ones.
On the Magnavox, you could ask them it it says Astrosonic anywhere on the control panel. If it does, it is surely solid state.

I've bought a dozen or so tubed consoles in the last couple years and haven't paid more than $35 for any of them. They are out there. That's about my limit for tube organs, too, although I might go up $50 if there is a Leslie speaker or some other interesting parts that come with it.

RWood

 

[b brian]

Could anyone list some key words or phrases that I might see to tell me if it is going to be tube or ss?
I am guessing that most of the sellers will not know if they don't say in the add.

Will a reel to reel tell me if its tube or SS?

 

[Saratoga48]

If the unit says "no user serviceable parts" it is SS

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

The GE is definitely solid-state. Who knows on the Magnavox. The picture is small, dark and blurry and doesn't show its components.

 

[relaximus]

Could anyone list some key words or phrases that I might see to tell me if it is going to be tube or ss?
I am guessing that most of the sellers will not know if they don't say in the add.

Will a reel to reel tell me if its tube or SS?

You can always ask the seller if it begins to make sound as soon as it's turned or if it takes 10-15 seconds. Instant on = Solid State.

As for an R2R being indicative, I have both SS and Tubed consoles with an R2R.

Dave

 

[EVBoy]

I have seen tubed GE consoles but they seemed cheap and low power with printed circuits. That price is $1380 too much. It is almost certain to be ss. Consoles with R2R's are usually ss, but as Relaximus says, sometimes they are tube. IMO the best tube consoles are RCA as they have nice amps and speakers and are usually cheap.

 

[EastPoint]

The Magnavox has "tape," and my guess is it's 8-track, which means solid state.

 

[gadget73]

I'm gonna say both SS. the Magnavox looks like its getting into mid 70s ugly design motif, complete with the fake chunkarillo plastic wood texture on the front panel.

 

[orthophonic]

They are both Solid State.

The GE is a 1966 model and is a very good sounding console. Many sellers
ask alot for those just because of the cabinet design, not worth that
but is a nice console.

The Magnavox looks like a 1970 model.

 

[EddyFranner]

Very nice cabinet. Low power but warm tube sounding SS probably much like my 1962 SS Packard Bell console.

 

[orthophonic]

I should have added that while the GE is Solid State, the reel to reel deck is tubed.

 

[markw300d]

The GE sure is a nice looking piece. I've been watching for consoles around here for a while and only one tube unit has came up. It was a very clean Voice of Music console but I didn't care for the styling. I'm waiting for a nice Magnavox to show up since they were made about 60 miles from me in Ft Wayne.