My 1970s Collaro changer

[xXSHADoW93Xx]

I picked this up for $20 a few weeks back, in AS-IS condition.

Has a factory-installed Tenorel 2001 magnetic cartridge:

The motor was completely seized up, and when I tried to repair the motor, the motor literally fell apart, the connections crumbling. The idler wheel also had several notches.

Fortunately, I found a replacement idler wheel for only $10 and it's in excellent shape:

I also jerry-rigged a BSR turntable motor for the time being, so I can at least use it for 33 1/3 RPM, until I can find a proper replacement motor (Collaro 600 series or Magnavox Micromatic W700/W800 series motor)

Even though its jerry-rigged state limits it to being a 33 1/3 rpm only player (because the 45rpm step on the BSR motor actually gives the turntable the proper 33 1/3 RPM, while the other steps are unusable), the changer mechanism works fantastic, especially the auto-size detection!

 

[jusmee]

Sounds like you have fun fixing old gear like this - as do I. I just posted about an old Garrard AT6 I fixed up this morning http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....the-at91-at3600l-in-a-garrard-changer.837943/. Happily everything is working on it. I need new motor mounts as there is a bit too much rumble, but other than that it is working fine.

I think your Collaro looks quite modern. Hope you find a motor.

 

[johnjhazel]

I always liked Collaro's. I had a Magnavox console with a Collaro Micromatic. I too like the auto size detection. Best wishes in restoring it fully.

 

[Guest126]

Looks great.

 

[maxhifi]

I picked this up for $20 a few weeks back, in AS-IS condition.

Has a factory-installed Tenorel 2001 magnetic cartridge:

The motor was completely seized up, and when I tried to repair the motor, the motor literally fell apart, the connections crumbling. The idler wheel also had several notches.

Fortunately, I found a replacement idler wheel for only $10 and it's in excellent shape:

I also jerry-rigged a BSR turntable motor for the time being, so I can at least use it for 33 1/3 RPM, until I can find a proper replacement motor (Collaro 600 series or Magnavox Micromatic W700/W800 series motor)

Even though its jerry-rigged state limits it to being a 33 1/3 rpm only player (because the 45rpm step on the BSR motor actually gives the turntable the proper 33 1/3 RPM, while the other steps are unusable), the changer mechanism works fantastic, especially the auto-size detection!

Can we see the broken motor?

I like it, there's an old and really detailed website about record changers which details all the models, and the guy who wrote it really liked collaro. I am sure you saw it at some point.

 

[revox-b77]

That sure looks like a nice unit. Good luck with the rest of the restoration.

 

[xXSHADoW93Xx]

Can we see the broken motor?

I like it, there's an old and really detailed website about record changers which details all the models, and the guy who wrote it really liked collaro. I am sure you saw it at some point.

The leads are what broke off from the original motor, when I was carefully removing the motor from its mounting holes and from the changer itself, as the turntable motor was completely frozen solid. Then pretty much everything started crumbling apart. The motor was locked solid, not even a bit of heat could free it up (even after pouring blue label 3-in-1)

 

[Nat]

I had one which had some sort of trouble that finally I gave up on. I have the idler, and I may have the motor. Let me poke around.

 

[xXSHADoW93Xx]

I had one which had some sort of trouble that finally I gave up on. I have the idler, and I may have the motor. Let me poke around.

Thanks! She runs like a champ now!

 

[stereofisher]

What Shure cart did you use^^^^?

 

[beatcomber]

I had one which had some sort of trouble that finally I gave up on. I have the idler, and I may have the motor. Let me poke around.

Thanks! She runs like a champ now!

What are the chances...? Wow!

The headshell is rather BIC-like...

 

[xXSHADoW93Xx]

What Shure cart did you use^^^^?

M75E

 

[stereofisher]

Good choice^^^^

 

[Chip2020]

The Collaro L630 (PH-1252) is a very nice record changer. I own a few of the 600 series changers (L620, 630 and 640) and have repaired/restored dozens of them. I would be interested to know where you found a replacement motor for yours xXSHADoW93Xx. Collaro offered the choice of 2 different motors on the 600 series changers it manufactured in the late 1970's, a 2 pole or a 4 pole. Your burned out motor was a 4 pole. Did you replace it with a 4 pole motor?

I'm in the process or restoring an L640 (PH-1253), which was the top of the line 600 series model back then, but unfortunately it had a 2 pole motor installed in it and I need to upgrade it to a 4 pole. I am having a hard time finding one, so if you, or anyone else can steer me in the right direction where I can find one, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Valenso]

Any chance of selling me your bad motor? I have a working one with a bad upper bearing....this could get my Magnavox up and running again. Let me know, Thanks

 

[KentTeffeteller]

People, Magnavox motors are hard to find. You may need to buy a whole donor changer. A note: This model is not a BSR changer or a BIC changer. Collaro and BSR designed this last two model family together (which explains the similarities). The motors are known weaknesses with age.