Electrophonic cabinet stereo questions

[VintageFan89]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and have found a lot of interesting information about vintage receivers through this site. I found this system at an antique mall and wanted to know if anyone knows what year it is from (I'm assuming mid 1970s)? Everything on it works, and it is my first in-home 8-track player.

I had the refinish the top and replace the particle board lid with a piece of birch as the original lid was water damaged, but the birch bowed. I also replaced the baseboards for the same reason. The stain was pretty close to the original color of the laminate.

Also, the plate containing the connections on the back of the receiver says to disconnect built-in antenna leads before connecting an external antenna. Why is this? And does anyone know how to properly disconnect the built-in antenna leads as I would like to connect an external antenna in order to improve reception (or is this something best left to a shop). Thank you!

 

[ryuuoh]

Welcome to AK~
I think the antenna question has been solved years ago. I don't see the internal connectors, which should have been wires coming from inside the cabinet to the terminal block. Of course, I could be wrong~

 

[VintageFan89]

Hey. Hmm okay, I'm going to do some more research and asking around before I hook up an antenna, just to make sure. Thanks.

 

[chefg1]

Had one of these years ago the orange wire in the photo is the internal wire from antenna. its alright to hook your new antenna to your stereo.

 

[VintageFan89]

Hey. That's cool to find someone who also had this model of Electrophonic. I was wondering what that wire was for. This morning I hooked up the two polks I have to the two additional speaker outputs and am listening to an 8-track right now with the 4-D switch turned on and speakers arranged in vintage quadrophonic layout. Pretty cool little unit. Alright thank you :thmbsp:.

 

[dshoaf]

Almost every furniture store in the nation sold those consoles back in the 70s. Electrophonic was one popular brand name and they came in all sizes and configurations.

The BSR turntable on that one has a ceramic cartridge. The turntable will likely need cleaning and regreasing to operate reliably but I'd not recommend you run any really valuable LPs on it. Inspect the stylus - both sides as this is a 'flip-over' model that would run 78s with the other side of the stylus.

Takes up a lot of room doesn't it?

Cheers,

David

 

[cademan]

Also, the plate containing the connections on the back of the receiver says to disconnect built-in antenna leads before connecting an external antenna. Why is this? And does anyone know how to properly disconnect the built-in antenna leads as I would like to connect an external antenna in order to improve reception (or is this something best left to a shop). Thank you!

The orange wire looks to be the internal AM antenna, so if its dangling, its already disconnected from the AM terminal.

Just connect your external antenna to that AM lug. :yes: Your not going to hurt anything. You yourself, can also be an external antenna. Just touch the AM screw terminal and see (hear) the difference!

A different antenna can be used for the FM terminals. A dipole antenna is usually used here. It can be found at radio shack, and looks like 'T'.

 

[VintageFan89]

Almost every furniture store in the nation sold those consoles back in the 70s. Electrophonic was one popular brand name and they came in all sizes and configurations.

The BSR turntable on that one has a ceramic cartridge. The turntable will likely need cleaning and regreasing to operate reliably but I'd not recommend you run any really valuable LPs on it. Inspect the stylus - both sides as this is a 'flip-over' model that would run 78s with the other side of the stylus.

Takes up a lot of room doesn't it?

Cheers,

David

Hey David, thanks for your reply. Yeah I was reading some other threads about the Electrophonic brand and found out that it was very common in the department stores and very common in repair shops, and that they were a PITA to work on haha. So I will probably just enjoy what time I have with it. I'm happy everything works despite its age and reputation. Doesn't look like it was used much, so it'll be interesting to see how long it lasts without any repairs.

Thank you, I'll have to do some searching for what to clean and lubricate besides the shaft of the platter and the platter bushing, and what grease to use. In my short time using the turntable it plays well but has had times it's slipped on the rubber drive wheel.

I thought this one probably did have a ceramic cartridge. I'm getting a new needle for it just so I can get it as good as it will be, but I eventually will invest in a quality record player. All I can think of is some model of Technics. Any recommendations?

I played a Mike Oldfield album from 1984 on it and it sounded pretty good, but I don't want to damage the LPs I have anymore than they are. Besides this model's lack of any adjustment on the record player arm, why are ceramic cartridges hard on albums? What's the best material of cartridge you can buy?

Haha, it certainly has a presence in the room from its size alone and is a good conversation piece. Thanks David and Happy New Year.

The orange wire looks to be the internal AM antenna, so if its dangling, its already disconnected from the AM terminal.

Just connect your external antenna to that AM lug. :yes: Your not going to hurt anything. You yourself, can also be an external antenna. Just touch the AM screw terminal and see (hear) the difference!

A different antenna can be used for the FM terminals. A dipole antenna is usually used here. It can be found at radio shack, and looks like 'T'.

Ah that clears up why there is only one of it and two of the FM antenna stubs. Thanks. Okay, that's a welcome answer as I have had a tendency in my to short vintage car radios trying to hook them up. I certainly have noticed a difference when I've touched the antenna leads! I'm currently running an RCA model ANT121 from Best Buy, but since it was an F series connector I just cut it off and stripped the wires. I think I should just go with a standard dipole. I was originally going to get that 3 or 4 dollar one at our local Radio Shack but they didn't have any in, so in my impatience I bought this RCA one for thirteen bucks at Best Buy and have not noticed a huge difference on the Electrophonic, but I did notice one on the Pioneer SX 535 I have (especially since it has the signal strength meter). It seems like this model of Electrophonic has a light-up stereo logo next to the tuner dial, but I think I only got it to light up when it was out in the garage at my folks house. That was cool haha Thanks and Happy New Year.

Hey does anyone know the exact year of this model?