radiotvnut
Super Member
Anyone recognize this Philco console and what kind of amp it might use? It's at a local flea market for $100; which, is way too much. Also, shouldn't there be a door to cover up the front?
Tube Philco console at flea market
- Thread starter radiotvnut
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Looks like its edging out of the tube era into solid state. If its tubes, I'd guess its a 6bq5 amp, probably push-pull but I wouldn't guarantee that. There was a recent thread about a different Philco console that had what appears on the surface to be a p-p 6bq5 amp, but the schematic shows its a funky 3 channel rig using more or less conventional p-p topology but with a strange transformer configuration to sum the bass frequencies together, but leave the highs seperate.
NeonDriver
Well-Known Member
I have a very similar Philco tube console, model# M-1680-124, got it recently from a relative. I don't know a lot about it, but I was happily surprised how well it sounds. It pulls in stations very well too, even in the basement. It has only one woofer, but mids and tweeters on both sides. Mine has sliding doors and straight legs. That one with the angled legs looks a bit more MCM to me. Are those sliding doors with grill cloth on the front?
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Roving Sign
Active Member
Do the panels slide inward? Perhaps there is another speaker grille back there?
Turntable almost looks a little older than the console...
Turntable almost looks a little older than the console...
radiotvnut
Super Member
I was being rushed and didn't get a chance to look at it real well. I actually know the guy who has this and went to school with him 25 years ago; so, I'm planning on going back when I'm not rushed and, in the meantime, get my speech together. Something like: "Hey man, I might be interested in those consoles; but, you're way out of the ballpark on your prices. I don't mean to sound cheap or come across as a know it all; but, most of the consoles that I find are in the free to $50 range and I've never gotten over $75 for one that looked and worked perfectly. I realize you want to get as much as you can for them; but, $25 will be about the best I can do in the condition that it's in." If he says "NO", I'll just tell him that if he changes his mind down the road to please get in touch with me.
I can't help you with the Philco console but I DO admire those Bronze Age hula hoops in front of it. (Don't try to convince me that they are barrel staves.) Hooping with those bad boys wouldn't be too comfortable, I'm thinking, but you'd look very manly doing that while wearing a kilt. 
Back to your question, a line of approach with the seller might be to say that any old tube unit will need a lot of work to bring it back to safe operating condition. Drop a horror story or two about exploding electrolytics, then say that you'll take all that liability exposure off his hands for $25. Good luck.
Back to your question, a line of approach with the seller might be to say that any old tube unit will need a lot of work to bring it back to safe operating condition. Drop a horror story or two about exploding electrolytics, then say that you'll take all that liability exposure off his hands for $25. Good luck.
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orthophonic
Super Member
Looks like the 1963 model, should have 6Bq5 outputs and those speaker grills slide
over the center.
A bit of Trivia, that is the same model that was in the second season and up on the Hazel TV show, the first season had a Zenith.
over the center.
A bit of Trivia, that is the same model that was in the second season and up on the Hazel TV show, the first season had a Zenith.
I don't know what all was involved with this Philco unit you're looking at, but I can tell you that I recently acquired 2 of them.......and found them to be VERY problem-prone! I can't say the my experience would apply to any other......but at least it's something to consider. First, the 'build quality' was NOT GOOD! A LOT of 'blobbed' solder on joints and connections! Some were so close to shorting it was ridiculous....and on one, the solder blob actually did cause a short. From a design standpoint, the output transformers in mine were mis-matched.....in that one was double-wound. This was because Philco had some kind of weird 'center' circuit included on the amp. Also, mine had a separate HV supply on board for extension electro-static speakers! In all.....it was perhaps 'high-tech'....but in reality, compared to other 'console' amps like Magnavox, Pilot, GE, RCA, etc......I think my Philco units were at the absolute bottom of my list of acquisitions! So, if you're still considering this purchase......all I can say is: "Buyer Beware!" TSD
radiotvnut
Super Member
Thanks for the information. I knew that Philco really went down the toilet with their Predicta TV sets from the same era; so, I shouldn't be surprised that their stereo consoles are not up the same standards as other brands. Unless I can get this one dirt cheap, I'm probably going for forget about it. Given the price he's asking, I doubt he'll come down to what I feel would be a fair price. Besides, I don't have room for what I've got (I know I'm the only one here who has that problem).
radiotvnut
Super Member
I went back in the store and had a long talk with the owner. He said that the stereo's are not his and agreed that the prices were too high. He said the owner deals in real estate and he has a wearhouse full of stuff that came out of old houses that he buys. I told him that I might would go $25/each on them and I explained what all was involved in bringing one back up to safe, reliable operation. I think the store owner understood; but, making the owner understand may be different. The store owner said the guy who owns the stereo's is on vacation this week; but, he will talk to him about the prices when he gets back.
I also like vintage TV's and while I was there, I spotted an old GE 15" B&W set with a "FREE" sign taped on it. The lady had been trying to get $10 for it and when nobody bought it, the price was reduced to zero.
I also like vintage TV's and while I was there, I spotted an old GE 15" B&W set with a "FREE" sign taped on it. The lady had been trying to get $10 for it and when nobody bought it, the price was reduced to zero.
radiotvnut
Super Member
OK, the guy said he'd come down to $50/each on the two Philco's; but, didn't want to go any lower right now. I really don't see anyone giving him $50, especially for the one that needs work; so, I might just let them sit for awhile. Or, I could look at it from the standpoint that $50 won't even buy a tank of gas anymore and buy the darn thing.
NeonDriver
Well-Known Member
I'd pay 50 bucks for that, if it plays. Mine sounds very nice, better than expected. And it looks awesome, if your into MCM that is.
radiotvnut
Super Member
I learned that someone is looking at both of the Philco consoles for the purpose of gutting them for a flatscreen TV cabinet. They had already come down to $40 for the tube one and $45 for the SS model. I can't afford to save both of them; but, I'm picking up the tube one tomorrow. I know the owner of the flea market and he said he'd hold it until I got there.
radiotvnut
Super Member
I agree; but, I looked at it closer and it is a Philco branded changer and it looks like it belongs with the stereo.
orthophonic
Super Member
That is the Correct VM made Philco changer for that model, has the Philco Floating
Jewel tonearm.
Jewel tonearm.
radiotvnut
Super Member
Well, I got it. I suppose it would now be best to start a new thread in the tube audio section with the technical details.
janikphoto
Lunatic Member
I got a pair of Norman speakers that way. They needed a re-foam, but otherwise, they were nice speakers for free!
The design on that console is nice! It would be worth $50 in Dallas, just for the furniture. It's the ugly 70's era consoles that don't sell well here, but those sexy 60's ones will bring $100.
