Phonoland

Thanks!

The one I bought on Ebay is a 274-DS77. It definitely does not work.

I'm going to pull the old one back off, compare it to your photos, and will report back when I figure it out.

FreeLantz, get the number off your cartridge and go from there. I'm sure you'll find a match for the right needle. Depending on your particular cartrdige, you may not have to completely "disconnect" the cartridge, there may be a big clip in the front to pop it out, leaving the wires connected. Please excuse the bad cell phone pics in the first two photos. My cam won't reach 50 feet out to the garage. LOL! If you pull that black clip forward in the first pic, the cartridge will pop out and dangle like in the second pic. You will find your numbers on the back of the cartridge.

I use the 170-DS77, 368-DS77, and the single, snap-in 558-D7. That center one in my previous post, with a longer rear stem is abit shakey. I don't know what needle that is, it worked, but it didn't seat tightly and wiggled abit. The needles were not expensive...$4.99 to $5.99.

I hope this helps you and others who may need new needles. This is not rocket science. Sit back, take a deep breath, and look at what's before you. After some observation, you'll figure it out. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Ok I think I have figured it out. That longer stem one you are referring to that didn't seat correctly is just like the one I also bought on Ebay last year. It would have probably worked but I was not happy with it being so easy to "pop out". I need one with a shorter stem and it appears either the 170 DS77 or the 368 DS77 would work as they look identical to what I have now, so I just grabbed one of each on Ebay.

FreeLantz,

Either one should work, but I think the DS-170 snaps in alittle tighter. One of my Astro-Sonics has an Astatic 165D with a Magnavox number 560335, while the others have an EV275 with a Magnavox number 560345. I don't have them side-by-side for comparison, but the differences are slight, dealing with how the needle snaps into place, and the length of that "stem", for lack of a better term. Recheck the FAQ where I posted something about similar cartridges with slightly different needles. There are several different versions of the EV275 and Astatic 165D out there. I haven't checked in years, but the needles were pretty cheap at the Radio Shack website. Some of the other sites want to charge $20 bucks for a needle, while they can be had at Radio Shack for $4.99 - $5.99.--BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Happy to report that the needle has been replaced finally. I finally broke down and disconnected the arm so I could really see what I was looking at. The old one -- it has to be at least 22 years old, probably much older -- is slightly different than any of the replacements I've bought, it has a much longer stem. But either of the two I bought on Ebay fit just fine, and thankfully I've now overcome my fear of breaking this thing.

Hello, new to this site and hope I'm in the right place for this question. I inherited my Dad's Magnavox Astro Sonic console stereo. I tried to play an old record and at first it sounded OK but then started sounding like it was skipping and very distorted. I thought maybe it needed a new needle. I have no idea how to change it. It has a little black lever at the needle end that goes back and forth from side to side. The arm only lifts up so far and it's hard for me to see under it. Can I lift the arm higher and if so how do I "release" it? The model number on the stereo is 3RP658 and I remember him buying it in 1966 or 67. ANY info is greatly appreciated!

Hurricane wrote:Hello, new to this site and hope I'm in the right place for this question. I inherited my Dad's Magnavox Astro Sonic console stereo. I tried to play an old record and at first it sounded OK but then started sounding like it was skipping and very distorted. I thought maybe it needed a new needle. I have no idea how to change it. It has a little black lever at the needle end that goes back and forth from side to side. The arm only lifts up so far and it's hard for me to see under it. Can I lift the arm higher and if so how do I "release" it? The model number on the stereo is 3RP658 and I remember him buying it in 1966 or 67. ANY info is greatly appreciated!

You can't raise the tonearm any higher. Grab that black lever between your fingers and gently twist downward, and pull toward the front of the unit. Should snap right out. Getting the new one in will be a bit trickier. You have to wedge the back end of the stylus under a metal clip and it should snap into place.

Here is an illustration:

Thanks so much, Gerry!

Welcome, Hurricane!

You were fortunate to inherit some type of Astro-Sonic "100" from the 1966/1967 era. They really kick butt. Take off the back and have a peek, you'll be impressed with what's packed in there. There should be a small date sticker on the amp (like "chassis 10/67") and another sticker on the receiver.

Be sure to check out the FAQ's for more needle info. This board covers just about everything that you can imagine, and I'm sure any additional questions/issues you encounter have already been answered, and makes for some interesting reading. There are many knowledgeable Techs and amateurs that contribute greatly and keep this board going, and all the info provided will help to restore and keep our cherished relics running.

Oh, thanks to Gerry for providing instructions. You do have to tilt that needle downward for removal and just reverse the process for installation. You'll hear the "click" when it's snapped in completely.

Welcome Again! --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Thanks for the welcome, Bobby. I did get the needle out and have already ordered one. Can't wait to hear some of my Dad's old records from the 40s! I'm sure I will have more questions later so I'm glad to have found this great site. The internet is amazing. Thanks again!

Hey, Hurricane...

Does your unit have a W621 turntable with an EV275 or Astatic 165D cartridge? Keep us posted on your progress. Victories are great, rather big or small, and you're gonna really enjoy listening to stuff from Dad's old record collection. I keep a collection of big band, jazz, tons of classical, blues, R&B, 60's/70's rock and Motown, country...you name it. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Bobby, not sure about the numbers you mentioned above but it looks like that picture. I will take a pic and post it later today. Thanks

During that era, the Astro-Sonic 100 was using these components. --BB

Seems every time I click on these links I get a long page-loading time (even with DSL) due to the multiple pictures - can't a LINK be posted instead to conserve bandwith and storage?
Eventually the server's gonna be full of pictures and no room left for text, good lordy.

Hello all, well I got my new needle and now another problem. Before I tried to play a record and got all this skipping and distortion sound. So I did get a new needle from eBay and it exactly matched the old needle when I received it. It says 557-DS73 on the new needle. Anyway I put it in but now I have no sound coming out of the speakers! When I have the dial turned to the radio I hear sound just fine. But when I turn it up to phono , nothing...except just the faint sound of the record without amplification. Did I do something wrong? Thanks! Hurricane