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Magnavox Imperial - what's inside it?

MunkeyQ

MunkeyQ

Super Member
Hi everyone. There's a Magnavox Imperial console for sale near me apparently in full working order.

I'm wondering if it's worth buying for the amp inside as I've heard some of the older Magnavoxes were bi-amped with tubey goodness. However, I'm not sure whether this is solid state or not as it looks like there were quite a few versions of the Imperial.

Here's a photo:
2wqhpn9.jpg


Any info would be great.
 
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Very difficult to say without a pic of what's under the lid. Maggie consoles can often be (roughly) dated by the TT. My first impression is that it looks a tad small for an Imperial. There is a faint hint of a rectangle behind the right-front speaker cloth ... That's usually a good sign as it typically means a horn hiding within. Judging by the apparent size, there are likely 12" side-firing woofers. Without seeing the tuner/preamp face, it's a bit of a crap shoot. However if there are indeed horns in there, I don't recall ever seeing an Astrosonic (SS unit) of that (somewhat smallish) size with horns. The size/proportions/styling says early ('61-'62) 60's to me and perhaps an 88xx series amp, maybe even a bit earlier with an 86xx SE amp. Ask the seller for a pic of the TT and tuner face. What are they asking for it?

BTW: I highly doubt that unit is bi-amped (wrong Maggie era). That's not to say that there is not a decent SE or PP 6BQ5 stereo amp in there. If it's close to what I feel it may be, I'd not be likely to give more than $20-$30 for it. But then, I'd be buying it for a full resto and not to part out.

Dave
 
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Thanks for the replies. Here's a shot of under the sliding lid - I forgot to add it last time:
iprr4n.jpg



I'd guess it's one of the later ones judging by the reciever front panel, but I don't know a whole lot about consoles. It's actually in mint condition cabinet-wise so it would be a shame to part the thing out, but if it doesn't sell the owner's going to chop it up for firewood... The starting price is basically free as he just wants it out the house.

Only downside for me is that I don't have the space to keep it whole for more than a couple weeks so I'd be gutting it and giving the shell to the local charity shop. I'm not a fan of parting things out but when it comes down to parting out or scrapping, I know what I'd rather happen.
 
10" platter, no sign of the words "Astro-Sonic" - it's probably tubed. Best guess is an 8802 amp, I gutted a nearly identical console earlier this year.
 
Go get it!

I think that one is tubed all the way. Chop it if that's the only way to save the electronics. Better that then the rubbish heap....:D
 
Thanks for the replies - I'll throw in a bid. Seems like it could hold some good iron!

If I had transport for it I wouldn't think twice about picking it up, but the cost to me comes in hiring a van to bring the beast home.
 
Tube 6bq5

Probably is push pull stereo 6bq5.seperate power amp such as a amp9300 or maybe single end set up with 6bq5, you just have to pull the rear panel off and investigate. Either 10" or 12" side firing woofers and front facing tweeters. Your unit is from 1961,62 era. btw actually these are not called an imperial, that was saved for the top of the line units (big).Basically most changers in all magnavox consoles said Imperial on them.no one knows why This one definitly has tubes by looking at that tuner design.
 
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