I found this unit advertised on CL this past Saturday for ten dollars. Seemed like a great idea to have something to tinker with on a bitter cold, snowy weekend. First at hand was to search for it online and found no images or information other than a 10+ year post on a antique radio site that wasn't of much help. I proceeded to give it a thorough cleaning, removed the cover to blow it out/vacuum, clean all pots, tuner thing (PITA), strip the Garrard 3500 of old grease, re-lube etc. Checked with a dim bulb before powering up and away we went. The unit works well and sounds good though I have a few more items to sort out. Stylus is worn with electro voice ceramic cartridge (EV5254D), needs a bulb to illuminate the TT cabinet and the tuner only works with the TT powered on/spinning.
Some interesting things and features include the primary speaker jacks use guitar amp style plugs. Auxiliary speakers use 3 screw downs (L, R & common). There are separate on/off rocker switches on the back for both sets of speakers. Also has a tape input and auxiliary antenna hook up. Picks up stations very well with just the built in on both bands. Sounds very good with my Onkyo book shelf test speakers. All in all, I really like it and will keep it. I know it is not a console, but shares the same guts. It appears to be among the last of stereo mass production on US soil. I did not find anything to indicate it is imported other than Garrard changer. The sticker on the bottom of the cabinet says printed in Franklin Park, IL with several US copyrights shown in small print. The guts are pretty substantial in size/weight and doesn't have much printed circuitry. I did purchase a manual covering the tuner/amp section through SAMS though it is not model specific (dated 1/69). Would love to know more about it, including why the tuner only works with the TT running. Seems to be pretty scarce in numbers. All commentary and info is welcome including the jokes about it !
Regards, John
Some interesting things and features include the primary speaker jacks use guitar amp style plugs. Auxiliary speakers use 3 screw downs (L, R & common). There are separate on/off rocker switches on the back for both sets of speakers. Also has a tape input and auxiliary antenna hook up. Picks up stations very well with just the built in on both bands. Sounds very good with my Onkyo book shelf test speakers. All in all, I really like it and will keep it. I know it is not a console, but shares the same guts. It appears to be among the last of stereo mass production on US soil. I did not find anything to indicate it is imported other than Garrard changer. The sticker on the bottom of the cabinet says printed in Franklin Park, IL with several US copyrights shown in small print. The guts are pretty substantial in size/weight and doesn't have much printed circuitry. I did purchase a manual covering the tuner/amp section through SAMS though it is not model specific (dated 1/69). Would love to know more about it, including why the tuner only works with the TT running. Seems to be pretty scarce in numbers. All commentary and info is welcome including the jokes about it !
Regards, John
