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Telefunken Concerto 5306 MX REVIEWS?

E

EZ Black

New Member
I'm considering jumping into Console world with a Telefunken Concerto 5306 MX. Before I go down this route, Does anyone have any reviews of the fidelity and sound of a good working unit? Is it possible to connect any external inputs to this console? I can't even figure out from the ad if there are internal speakers for this console or not. Any real world advice is greatly appreciated.

This would be a second unit for me, I currently have a Solid State Sansui Quadrophonic amp, with Thorens TD160 turntable and Polk Audio speakers just as a reference.
 
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I have restored two similar Telefunken consoles but not that particular one. As German consoles go I think they are slightly better than Grundigs (which use some pot metal parts in the tuner that were not designed to last these 60+ years) and are probably on par with the other German brands of the day, if not slightly better. I do consider these, generally, to be "mid fi" whereas the system you described above is firmly High Fidelity, upper HiFi with your Thorens.

The Telefunken will have a ceramic cart turntable, smallish speakers and fairly low power output. It should have a DIN 5 jack and an input for TR (tape recorder) which is useable if you get the right patch cord. Some of the consoles look very nice and afford you points with the wife. They are also restorable which, although something like your Sansui is, but having done both I'd much rather spend my time under the hood of the Telefunken. And the tubes do glow, which makes me and a lot of people feel happy. The FM is likely mono, which is more easily pulled in and has less noise than stereo but of course, doesn't have the separation that some folks want.

If you have room for it and like soldering and reading a schematic and want an occasional alternative to your main rig, I would go for it myself, but with tempered expectations about what it will and won't do.

My opinions, of course. Two deutschemarks' worth.
 
There are domestic consoles (Fisher, Ampex, etc.) that can get you hi-fi. But most of those are either French Provencial or Early American.

As already alluded to, it is hard to get more than mid-fi from many of the European consoldes imported into the US in the 50's and 60's. The sound is okay, but may be limited to (effectively) mono, or very low power, or even limited range speakers. But they do have a great look.

If you like the European console look, but want hi-fi, you can improve the console so long as you aren't a purist. You can change out the turntable (Thorens or Lenco / Bogen come to mind). With a few, you can keep the tuner / preamp but bypass the amp for something with a bit more output. And you can strategically use external speakers if your desired console is too small for in-console upgrades.

Not the easiest solution, but it can get you close to the best of looks and the best of console sound.
 
New York, like a few other metropolitan areas, has buyers who will pay ridiculous amounts (at least in my estimation) for the "furniture". Most anything mid-century modern in decent condition, along with items from certain manufacturers and the oddball "trendy" styles can fall into this category. This affliction is limited, since the high-paying buyers will usually only shop at a store or with an individual that highlights the pricing and can provide an art gallery dissertation as to why the piece is important upon request.

I know some city dwellers who can't imagine ever leaving Manhattan unless they are heading off to somewhere exotic. They pay the premium so as not to be bothered by the details of getting the piece. They live in a world of too much money and too little time.

If, like me, you have the patience you can find something equivalent out in the boonies (Hartford, Albany, South Jersey, Allentown, or beyond) which can be had for a fraction of the price so long as you are willing to rent a van and drive a few hours each way. You might also have to do a little cosmetic refurbisment, in addition to any electrical work on audio components.
 
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