Motorola Console - Tubes or not?
- Thread starter relaximus
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ya thats got the 3 channel in it, I think they called this orthophonic ?
In addenum...
That is the venerable Motorola Golden Voice Three Channel and as far as Im concerned, the best console amp out there if its the 6v6 version.
Take a deep breath and play it cool. Gotta get that one cheap.
If its the 6V6 version, heres a pic of the amp after a little refining.
All the components inside are gold (color) plated speakers and all.
GET IT !!!
That is the venerable Motorola Golden Voice Three Channel and as far as Im concerned, the best console amp out there if its the 6v6 version.
Take a deep breath and play it cool. Gotta get that one cheap.
If its the 6V6 version, heres a pic of the amp after a little refining.
All the components inside are gold (color) plated speakers and all.
GET IT !!!
relaximus
Consoles 'Я' Us
The seller is moving Friday, so is highly motivated! The problem is one of time versus distance. It's located down in Naugatuck, CT and I'm about a 2 hour round-trip from there. Just heard from the seller that it's a 1959 Motorola SK32W with Declaration cabinetry by Drexel.
Dave
Then your cost is in time and gas.
Id figure that one at $100 to start with
Myself......I wont go more than about a 20 minute drive each way.
That console isnt exactly like the one I got my stuff from but it was a '59 model too.
If you decide to get it, Motorolas have excellent electronics no matter what
Id figure that one at $100 to start with
Myself......I wont go more than about a 20 minute drive each way.
That console isnt exactly like the one I got my stuff from but it was a '59 model too.
If you decide to get it, Motorolas have excellent electronics no matter what
Just looked at my SAMs schematic list for my model and that console # isnt on it. My amp chassis is in models SK56*** and goes up in numbers from there with my chassis model in 13 different consoles.
My donor was a model SK79 and had a 20w 3-channel
Looks like that one being a smaller model number is probably a 10 or 15 watter
My donor was a model SK79 and had a 20w 3-channel
Looks like that one being a smaller model number is probably a 10 or 15 watter
clydeselsor
Lunatic Member
resound is right, most of the consoles that were solid state had a badge saying so. They were awfully proud of it in those days as it was the latest technology. These "three channel" units were usually single ended for left and right and push-pull for the bass channel. Be aware of the fact that this is NOT three discrete channels, the third channel is a sum of left and right and usually has limited frequency range to be used as a bass channel.
clydeselsor
Lunatic Member
BTW, someone on eBay took one of those chrome turntables, restored and polished it, then mounted it in a nice base to be used as a stand alone player. I think it went for a couple hundred bucks IIRC!
Yes, thats right. the signal from each channel is also diverted to the 3rd after being reduced to Bass freq's only.
I'll accept that people think Im half deaf but I think mine is extremely defined and actually sounds as good (relatively) as my Outrageously expensive system. (See Avatar)
Its dead quiet and the tone controls including a reverb are extremely sensitive
Whoo Hoo
Not a better deal to be had for an average $40 console purchase.
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The 2 Motorola's Ive taken apart in recent memory have had all Motorola branded tubes that seemed to be spec for Motorola. Really good quality. Clear tube, black plate, Halo getter RCA or Tungsol 6V6GTA's and Amperex 6BQ5's. The 12AXers were a mix of Sylvania 12ax7A's on the chassis and Amperex on the pre-amp. All branded Motorola.
Wanna hear somethin crazy?
The 3 channel amp chassis I have and Its matching 3 tube pre-amp have Exactly One (1) Electrolytic Capacitor between them and its a Motorola 10/25. Even the filter can is only a 3 in one.
The amp is quiet as can be but the preamp is really sensitive to tubes. The differences between two kinds is easily heard and you have to look for a quiet one.
I made a mistake though previously on this thread. My stuff is from a '62 model. Not a '59. So things are bound to be waay different.
Wanna hear somethin crazy?
The 3 channel amp chassis I have and Its matching 3 tube pre-amp have Exactly One (1) Electrolytic Capacitor between them and its a Motorola 10/25. Even the filter can is only a 3 in one.
The amp is quiet as can be but the preamp is really sensitive to tubes. The differences between two kinds is easily heard and you have to look for a quiet one.
I made a mistake though previously on this thread. My stuff is from a '62 model. Not a '59. So things are bound to be waay different.
relaximus
Consoles 'Я' Us
markus:damn dave -
that's an hour and a half from me - I'D GRAB IT
Believe me, I would if I could! The major problem is that my wife has a catering job and needs the minivan and all I'm left with is my Jeep Cherokee. There's just no way I could fit even a small console in that thing. The most I've been able to stuff in it was a KLH Model 20 System (with speakers) along side a pair of KLH 17s. I'm really bumming on missing out on this one.
As Maxwell Smart (the real one, Don Adams) would say, "Missed it by that much!"
Dave
audiomagnate
Addicted Member
I'm getting one of these in mint condition delivered to my living room tomorrow. I've seen the schematic for the amp, which looks quite nice, but what is behind those beautiful speaker grilles?
electrode101
Active Member
For stereo left and right, 8" jensen mid-bass, 4" jensen tweeter.
In the center, 15" Jensen woofer.
I got one about year ago. Love it.
Enjoy yours.
jD
