• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Magnavox Tube Console? Worth checking?

VinylEargasm

VinylEargasm

New Member
Magnavox Tube Console? Worth checking out?

I really know very little about old console stereos. I know they come up for sale a lot (usually non-functioning) but I don't see tube amp powered ones very often. This Magnavox console came up for sale locally and it appears to have a functional tube amp. Is this thing worth checking out? The owner says everything works but the the speaker crossovers may need rebuilt...

Any info/advice is great! Thanks for your time.
 

Attachments

  • tubeconsole.jpg
    tubeconsole.jpg
    23.4 KB · Views: 67
  • tubeconsole2.jpg
    tubeconsole2.jpg
    35.4 KB · Views: 100
  • tubeconsole3.jpg
    tubeconsole3.jpg
    21.3 KB · Views: 58
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Output transformers are quite beefy and the whole unit looks unmolested. It would be a good project basis.
 
Its very easy to make that amp a stand alone unit if your not into the whole console. I think its a 9300 series, very nice.
 
If the price is right ($50) I'd pick it up.I like consoles but no room for them and they virtually need a restore at their age.
 
I turned that into this. Bout 18 watts per at 123v, around 40hz to pretty Damn high. Sounds real nice and cheap to rebuild. I have a schematic on a thread I made of the build. Search my posts for 9302. Has handles now. Nice amp. Wrth 100 if tubes are good.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    88.7 KB · Views: 44
Out of all the Magnavox console amps I have heard, this one is by far the best I have heard. Up the values of the coupling caps and add the balance resistors (390 ohm) and you will be pleasantly surprised.
 
Wow, some nice looking versions of that amp. Thanks for all the info everyone! Here's the thing. He's asking $150. I offered him $100 and he said he wouldn't take less than $125. Is that too steep? Maybe if it doesn't sell within a week or so he might consider my $100 offer. About how much would it cost to refurbish and make as a stand-alone amp? Also, would the speakers inside the console be anything special/worth keeping? Thanks again.
 
Give him the $125 for it. In the best case the speakers may be Jensen RP109 horns and Jensen or CTS 12" woofers. If so, you'll sell the horns to a speaker builder and the woofers to guitar amp folks and make back more than what you spent. If the changer is a Collaro, there's money there too.

Basically, with a bit of judicious parting out, you'll get the amp for free.
 
Make him wait.

I paid $35 for my Maggie tube console at the Goodwill.
The speakers are probably not going to get you any money. These are not rare.

It will cost $50-$100 bucks for the modifications, new caps, etc. Plus time. For $200 or so you can find already modded Maggie console pulls on Ebay.

Unless you live in a large urban area that console will sit a few more days. If it does not you can always find another one if you are patient.
 
roberttx said:
Give him the $125 for it. In the best case the speakers may be Jensen RP109 horns and Jensen or CTS 12" woofers. If so, you'll sell the horns to a speaker builder and the woofers to guitar amp folks and make back more than what you spent. If the changer is a Collaro, there's money there too.

Basically, with a bit of judicious parting out, you'll get the amp for free.
Click to expand...

This is how I used to do it. Even the cabinet has value. They can be converted into bars, record, or general storage. Use the resources you have and it ends up being worth more to you I've found. Sometimes being able to buy anything you want is the least satisfying.
 
icenine said:
...I paid $35 for my Maggie tube console at the Goodwill.
The speakers are probably not going to get you any money. These are not rare...
Click to expand...

True. These pop up enough that you'll eventually find one for cheap. I waited long enough and found two cheap Magnavox 175's that I pulled and rebuilt. But, some people don't have the luxury of waiting for deals... it can take months or years.




VinylEargasm said:
...Is this thing worth checking out? The owner says everything works but the the speaker crossovers may need rebuilt...
Click to expand...

Crossovers need to be rebuilt? No. This guy either doesn't know what he's talking about, or he does and is trying to play down other issues. These systems usually have no crossover on the woofers and a basic cap on the tweeters. It's probably an amp that needs new caps, or excessive oxidation built up on the control pots. If it were me, I'd pay up to $60-$80, pull the amp and speakers, sell off the empty cabinet in the furniture section of CL for $20 (people use them for projects all the time), then invest the $60-$100 in parts to rebuild the amp. They work great as standalone amps, and you could easily build open baffles or fun cabinets for the speakers... or sell off the speakers on CL for another $20-$40, as some musicians like to use them in guitar amps. But, the keeper is the amp!

edit*** Looks like others were posting the same thing, while I was typing my response. Glad others agree with me... or, I agree with them. I feel this is a great way to get a good tube amp for a great price!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom