Magnavox Micromatic Mute Switch

Greetings friends. This is my first time. Looking forward to learning and hopefully sharing information to keep our wonderful record changers alive.

I have a 30P252, circa. 1966. The mute switch that usually kicks on when the tonearm is sensing record size makes a loud poping sound but only on the right speaker. Is there a safe, easy way to clean the mute switch?

Also, where is the stylus set down screw? The tonearm goes in just a little bit too far and the music starts as the needle hits the record. Looking forward to any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

I have a 30P252, circa. 1966. The mute switch that usually kicks on when the tonearm is sensing record size makes a loud poping sound but only on the right speaker.

My circa-'65 Magnavox Astro-Sonic does the same thing....it's not an especially loud popping sound, but like yours, it's only out of one speaker. It has done this as long as I can remember.

If you look back between the base of the tone arm and the tone arm rest, about middle way, there is an inset screw. Turn it ever so slightly (I can't remember which way), to adjust the setdown. The other inset screw at the very back adjusts the height. You want your arm high enough to clear a stack of records, but not scrape the underside of a record on the spindle.

Model number does not reveal what turntable you have. You have to get the number off the under side (W602-10-xx etc.) You could have two identical consoles side-by-side, but have different tuners, turntables and amps. Since you mentioned micromatic, they are pretty much the same with only some cosmetic differences.

I believe there is some kind of adjustment for the mute switch, but would have to look through the stuff I have. I'll send you guys some turntable stuff which will really come in handy if you email me at rwbasham@yahoo.com. (lower case) --BB


Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Thank you so much for the information. You guys are very helpful.

Bozak, your info is on the way. --BB


Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

The pop could be a leaky input capacitor in the preamp. It places a voltage on the cartridge, until the muting switch shorts it to ground, causing a pop.

I am glad I found Phonoland but more importantly, it's members!!! THANK YOU for all the help thus far. Special thanks to Bobby re: set down screw. After about 7 tries, the tone arm now goes where it's supposed to!

Another annoying little problem with this same unit has "popped" up. (No pun intended.) Occasionally while listening to a record, the left or the right channel loses all sound. If I go over to the unit and gently turn the off/on switch to the OFF position and quickly return it to ON, the sound returns to the speaker. Seems like the more I use this unit, the less this problem occurs BUT it still occurs. What should/can I do to rectify this problem?

Question--not knowing that unit--is the switch simply an on/off power switch, or does it also control the volume ?
If the former, I would look for a "poor connection" either in some type of (tube) socket, or "plug". If the latter,
I would suspect a bad "switch". Ron Rich

I've had similar problems, but most times it's with dirty contacts on the volume, tone controls and selector switch. If I rock my selector switch back and forth, the opposing channel will pop back into play. Oh, don't forget the speaker selection switch, also.

I believe some folks on here recommended Deoxit to clean these contacts. I've never used it and supposedly it's not cheap. In a quick pinch, I've gone to Radio Shack to get some "tuner" cleaner. It's on my Honey-Do list...LOL
OH, AND DO NOT USE WD-40.

As a side, we have an excellent electronic supply store in Tucscon. They carry everything from caps, resistors, cartridges, needles, transformers, NTE/ECG components, Romex house wiring, cable wiring, connectors, plugs, anything for hooking up sattelite, home entertainment, phone installation, digital multi-meters(Fluke?)...you name it. They also display alot of old Bakelite radios on their upper beams and have an old tube tester. Truly a wonderful place. It's better than going to the Mall...LOL, LOL --BB


Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona