Magnavox Astrosonic Repair: Model 1P3701

Hello all,

Ive been collecting records for a few years now. Recently I had a chance to buy a Magnavox Phono console for 5 dollars and I did. I have no experience whatsoever with repairing radio's and phono's. So, im just diving in head first.

The unit powers up and the radio works. Sounds pretty good although Im not focusing on the details yet, like the bass knob seems to loudly crackle when I turn it up whilst listening to FM radio waves. The record player doesn't seem to work. Im hoping to get it spinning and see if it will play a record. I have discovered that the mounting of the record player looks home made and in the chassis, two wires going from the center console to the record player are spliced and covered with electrical tape. Also, Ive seen similar consoles on line (not my exact model) that look very different inside.

I was hoping to get confirmation that the record player has been replaced and is not original to my unit. Should I be able to retro fit this and have it work? I would love to find the exact record player that was original to it. Any other sort of information anyone may have on this unit would be greatly appreciated as well.









Thanks!
-Jeff

Jeff, that is a BSR changer and you are right, it was defiantly added later.

Some things to consider:

The original changer was made by Collaro. There were two types. The older one had a curved black plastic arm. The late 60's one had a metal arm with a squarish headshell.

The older one is more desirable in that it used standard 1/2in mounting ears for the pickup cart. The later one used a proprietary single-screw mounting for the cart and since you probably will need a new cart in either case, the later one presents a problem of either getting an original and hoping it is still good, or rigging some form of mounting for a more readily available modern sub.

In both types that cart's characteristics were the same and had a fairly low output (for a ceramic) to permit good stylus compliance and tracking. Some of the new subs have much higher output and may overload the input causing distortion on loud records.

The fact that the new TT was mounted on it's own baseboard and that was screwed into the original deck means that there is marring and possibly some original wood needed to be cut away to clear the mechanics of the new one.

In the original configuration when the receiver selector was switched to "Phono" the power to the receiver was controlled by the turntable so that when a record ended the who system would shut off.

It is fairly easy to mod a new changer to do this, but I suspect that has not been done and is why nothing works..

Do a Google search for "magnavox console" and you'll see images of both types of turntables.

Personally, I'd just do the work to get the existing one wired up properly and use it.

I have a similar model from 1965 an schematics which I'll post if you feel capable of working on hte unit yourself. Otherwise it's is best to seek someone with experience to help. This unit is at least 43 years old and will need some work on the electronics to get it up and reliable.

Rob/NYC

It's unusual that that BSR changer uses an Umbrella type spindle, but I'd have it cleaned & lubed up and use it - it's a few steps up from the clunky original Collaro 700 series that once was in that console.

That BSR is a step backward, unless it has a magnetic cartridge and a magnetic preamp.

From the styling of his tuner faceplate, it looks like something from 1966/1968, before those W700 series record changers kicked in, and it probably had a W621 turntable. Mine are two Astro-Sonic 100's (Francisco?) utilizing the same cabinet. You can see the difference in the tuner knobs and the record changers, the first pic being a later model. My 1966 Santiago Astro-Sonic 100 has the same setup as the later model with the newer W621. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona