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Curtis Mathis Console

jcon109

jcon109

Active Member
Picked up this Curtis Mathis console last weekend at an estate sale for $20.00. This thing is in perfect condition and sounds fantastic. Just wanted to know if anyone has any info on Curtis Mathis equipment. The amp uses 6bq5 output tubes. I hear they were king in there day but I can't find much information about them.

Thanks
 

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is it SE or PP? Did you check to see if there are any wax paper caps? if it has them I would stop playing until they are replaced. It looks nice. Nice score, 20 bucks is my magic number.
 
I am new to tubes, how do tell if it is a SE PP? This console was in regular use till I bought it. They would listen to Cardinals baseball on it, and I will continue that tradition!
 
How many output tubes. If two (and it is stereo) then it must be Single Ended as there is only one power tube per channel. If four the Push Pull (unless it is a three channel unit in which case it would be SE for mid/treble PP for bass). Ain't this fun? ;)

mike
 
That explains a lot. It has 2 and is stereo and I wondered why there was only 2 output tubes. Thanks for that info and yes I am hooked on this stuff.
 
even if they used it a lot the the capacitors (if wax) will be bad, running it will ruin the output tubes sonner or later. Easy to fix do it ASAP you can look at the tubes in the dark, look to see if the output tubes show any sign of a dull red, not the filaments but the actual metal tube plate. If there is even a hint of dull red, then that is because the grids bias is messed up due to B+ leaking thru the wax cap (they ALWAYS leak by now). Due the tops of the tubes look nice and silver or brownish? (brown is bad). It is also hard on the power tranny. Not trying to discourge you but that really needs to be checked. If they are bad and it sound good, then fixing them will make it sound GREAT!!

Of course this is only for wax paper caps if it has disk or orange drops you are prob good to go. A simple quick test would be to check the grids of the output tubes for any DC voltage, should be nearly 0 vdc (actually a better way is to check the votage from the grid + to the cathode -, should be negative about 7-8vdc IIRC).

wax paper caps are sometimes hidden inside black or other color plastic bodies, still a paper cap, still needs replacing.

Another thing is the eletrolitic (sp) caps, they will be in a metal can or in a big cardboard covered can. These "may" be ok, esp due to regular use, but again cheap to replace now, IF they go bad, then the expense to repair can go up about 100 fold.

If you know how to solder, then all this stuff is easy to do and cheap to do now. If you smoke tube and a PT then you will be kicking yourself later.
 
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Beautiful console. I have some info that may or not help you.
 

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2 output tubes means it's a very low powered Single Ended amp.....figure 2 1/2 - 5 watts per channel.
You are gonna need VERY efficient speakers (95 db or more) to get any kind of volume level.


Steve
 
I will pull the amp out and take a look at what kind of caps are installed. I have recapped a tube amp before and had good luck so I am game for another. I am sure it does not have a lot of power but it has a good sound and works well for what I am going to use it for and if new caps make it better than that is a bonus. I will use the schematics above, they look like they might actually be the same model. Thanks for all the info!
 
if you're leaving it in the console, then the volume should be fine, they designed it to work together. I have a SE RCA, driving some alnico 12" speakers, plenty loud enough, very low distortion. Have fun!!
 
that schematic shows a pretty decent tuner. You should check it for wax caps too, and also any electrolyitics. Tuners are a little more "busy" as far as part counts, but if you take your time you will be rewarded with a really nice system. I have gotten so many receivers, sold as "works great" sometimes with a qualifier "for its age". A recent kenwood 44 I went thru and must have replaced 20 plus out of spec resistors and at least that many caps (it was VERY busy), anyway when I got it it worked but far from great, now it is just plain fantastic sounding used PP 6bm8s and very sensitive tuner.

I am sure you are going to be happy when done. My last Magnavox just fills the room with great sounding music, super retro look and all.

You should replace the needle on the TT as well, I know some folks frown on these old TT's but I think they work pretty darn well for any age. Perhaps I would not spin my best vinyl on them but older vintage albums that are already used I have no problem putting on and enjoying it as is.
 
I am going to leave this one complete right down to the turntable. The tt looks a little cheesy but what the heck it is original. I really like the retro look of it..plus it is solid walnut. I am sure I can find some place to put it if my wife wont mind (well we will see)
 
jcon109 said:
I am going to leave this one complete right down to the turntable. The tt looks a little cheesy but what the heck it is original. I really like the retro look of it..plus it is solid walnut. I am sure I can find some place to put it if my wife wont mind (well we will see)
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I'm glad you are leaving it original. You should have a nice sounding unit when it's restored. I have a little Magnavox console that uses a single ended 6BQ5 based stereo amp and it has plenty of volume. That turntable was made by BSR and any trouble that it gives will likely be due to hardened lubricants. BSR liked to use some kind of lubricant that turns to cement after 40+ years. If that TT has the cartridge that I think it does, I'd upgrade the cartridge. I'm not one of those people that thinks a record should only be played on a $10,000 turntable setup; but, many BSR's from that era used a cartridge that will ruin a record in short order. If possible, I'd mount something like a Pickering NP/AC magnetic cartridge, set the counterbalance spring for the correct tracking force, and add one of those cheap solid state phono preamps between the turntable and the input of the amp. The magnetic cartridge will give you better fidelity and won't be quite as rough on your records.
 
A pic would be helpful to confirm the kind of cap. disk caps are most likely fine, orange drops are generally safe.
 
You should replace the needle on the TT as well, I know some folks frown on these old TT's but I think they work pretty darn well for any age. Perhaps I would not spin my best vinyl on them but older vintage albums that are already used I have no problem putting on and enjoying it as is.
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Agreed! The '59 Silvertone console in my living room has its original ceramic Sonotone 8T cartridge, and with a NOS stylus sounds surprisingly excellent.
 
hmmm sounds like paper in plastic, I would not trust them.

Of course some guys will think they are part of the "tube sound", distorted sound from incorrect bias.
 
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