New user with newly aquired Magnavox and questions

I have recently purchased a Magnavox Console in great condition and I would like to keep it that way. The model # is 1ST654A. It has tubes and plays well. I would like to get a few replacement needles. Can someone please point me in the right direction for where and what model needle to purchase? I have removed the needle and don't see any numbers on the stylus. And, do I need to be concerned with any damage to my precious vinyl when playing on this player.

I am also curious if the unit can be improved by replacing the stock tubes. It has a great sound, but i would prefer a bit better, but natural bass response. I mainly listen to 50's-60's jazz.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Somewhere on this site is a "sticky" post related to the " So you just aquired a...." but for the life of me I can't seem to search it out for you to read.
Maybe the Mods can locate the link for you.

With that stated, if you really want to keep this console, then avoid using it in its "as is" condition, and have it checked out, serviced, and restored properly by a knowledgable servicer.
Being 50+ years old, it's a ticking time bomb, and a failure can prove much more costly than having it serviced now, before something happens.
Honestly, the needle is a trivial thing to worry about at this point - because the tubes/transformers are much more important right now - and can possibly cook themselves to death.
It's like worrying about getting a manicure or haircut, while you've got a treatable life-threatening cancer that's being ignored.
As an experienced restoration tech, I've seen this tragedy many times before, due to people not being educated about the dangers of using "as is" vintage electronics.

As for the tubes - merely replacing them won't change a thing, except the amount of money in your pocket.
Replacement won't cure the nasty things possibly going on under the chassis.
Those deteriorated parts underneath are what ultimately control what the tubes do, and how well they do them.
Proper restoration would restore the original tonality, and reliability.
Also, the record changer with require a mandatory overhaul, to insure proper operation down the road, and eliminate record wear.
Lubricants and greases dry up over the decades of neglect - causing wear of critical mechanisms.

Thanks for your reply. Can you recommend a method to find a qualified tech? Obviously, a search for Magnavox tech will not yield many results. What type of person am I looking for?

nellison wrote:Thanks for your reply. Can you recommend a method to find a qualified tech? Obviously, a search for Magnavox tech will not yield many results. What type of person am I looking for?

No, the current Magnavox name will not yield suitable results, unless it's for flat-screen tv or DVD products.

The tech should be well versed on vacuum tube equipment - particularly amps and tuners, with experience in AM-FM and alignment procedures.
And the British-built Collaro record changers are more complicated to service than most American-made changers - so the tech has to know the particulars of these, and of course what parts to check & replace.
A qualified tech with a reputable reputation is the only way to go, for the right service.
I've seen the results of some so-called "techs" in the vintage restoration business - and they should be ashamed of themselves for the sloppy work they do - just slap it together and take the money types.
Shop around - get reviews - ask questions.
Their isn't many of us around, to be honest.

Matt was good enough to talk me thru my first Magnavox electronic restoration years ago. I would like to pass on some of what he taught me. Hopefully, it will be of help to the OP. While it is not a world record, I have currently gone thru five Magnavox instruments, up to and including my Concert Grand.

I would not recommend operating your instrument for any time without having it gone thru. I'd be willing to bet that 80% of the resistors in the amplifier have drifted high, as much as double their rating. Magnavox components like caps and resistors, are sometimes not the best quality. Every paper capacitor in that instrument will be seriously leaky. Filter capacitors should be replaced. The cathode by-pass capacitor and resistor have been known to be in need of replacement. The crossover capacitors may be leaky enough to affect the sound of the speakers. The Collaro changer will certainly need at least one new drive tire, a needle, perhaps a cartridge and a good cleaning and relubing. I personally find the Collaro changers a PITA to service. I do not play my "precious vinyl" on any Collaro changer. First off, they do not track the newer pressings accurately, and they track relatively heavy. I reserve the reproduction of my most valuable recordings for more modern turntables with lightweight magnetic cartridges. After the electronics are serviced, there are a number of adjustments that must be carefully made in order to obtain maximum performance. Magnavox was the king of hi-fi during the tube days, no doubt. Your instrument is almost 60 years old and should be thoroughly serviced if it is to be reliable and safe to operate. As far as bass response goes, going thru the instrument on a component level will give you all the performance that was designed into it. It was recommended to me, and I also recommend that you use JJ tubes whenever replacements are required. I would check the tubes currently there for shorts, gas and emissions. You can bet that some or all 6EU7 tubes in that instrument are weak or have a short. The larger instruments used 12AX7's in amplifier service, and I have had better luck with those. This may give you some idea of what needs to be done. You can actually do most of this yourself if you have electronic skills at all. There is generous working room in the amplifier chassis, but the tuners can be more crowded, depending on model. Your instrument was designed to be compatible with stereo FM. If you do not have a Multiplex adapter option on yours, these are available and I recommend their installation for several reasons. Depending on where you live, you may find that going thru your instrument yourself is your only option. Good luck with your Magnificent Magnavox.

That is a lot to digest. I'm sure I will have follow up questions. Thank you. I'm not much concerned with the radio. I'm mostly interested in playing vinyl on the unit. Thank for answering the concern over my more valuable vinyl. I have a modern table, so ok with using this one only for the easy to find and duplicates. I have mostly been enjoying using it for 45 singles which I typically don't play without a changer. I do have mechanical skills, but have never dealt with older electronics, transistors, capacitors or tubes before.

nellison wrote:That is a lot to digest. I'm sure I will have follow up questions. Thank you. I'm not much concerned with the radio. I'm mostly interested in playing vinyl on the unit. Thank for answering the concern over my more valuable vinyl. I have a modern table, so ok with using this one only for the easy to find and duplicates. I have mostly been enjoying using it for 45 singles which I typically don't play without a changer. I do have mechanical skills, but have never dealt with older electronics, transistors, capacitors or tubes before.

The Collaro (Micromatic) changers are fine with records - IF - properly serviced and some "upgrades" are done.
They can track at a light 2-3 grams just like a fine quality "hifi" turntable, and can be upgraded with a better cartridge - however some careful modifications must be done for this.

As for the mian interest in playing records - the tuner MUST be serviced anyway, due to the fact that the phono "signal" passes through it on the way to the main amp.
Any issues within the tuner chassis will compromise the sound of records.
You can't "half-ass" or cut corners on a restoration, because the end result will be less than optimal.

I found the post you were referring to.

"So you just aquired a neat old console stereo, a vintage radio, or an old tape recorder?
Great!
And you're probably anxious to enjoy this new aquisition too!

It's probably in beautiful cosmetic shape too! - but what about the insides?
I mean, the guts, the workings.
Remember, it's vintage, decades old now, and has never been serviced.
Even though ole' Granny kept it shined up, over time those guts inside still succumbed to the normal aging process that effects everything electronic.

So what's the answer to keeping this new aquisition in shape?
Get it overhauled, restored!

Don't trust that just because it works now, it'll work a few years down the road.
It just ain't gonna happen! - trust me, I've seen enough "cooked" consoles, etc due to people using these sets without a clue that internally they're subject to catastrophic failure.
People come in my shop and explain their horror story of how that set bit the dust during a party. - and smoke came out.

And it's a shame this happens - because some parts are no longer available or scarce today - so why tempt fate?

I'm an experienced restoration tech, but I'm also a great fan of keeping the Good Old American products out of landfills.
It's a "green" thing in a way, and I appreciate the style and quality these old gems have.
I even posess a collection of vintage sets because of their rich sound quality and design.

But please, do yourselves a big favor - Don't be curious and plug these things in just because they "power up".
Don't ignore the fact that at any time an aging inexpensive component could wipe out something far more expensive.

You want to enjoy these sets for a long time, and expect them to be safe to use.
Locate and contact a local (if possible) reputable restoration tech that's experienced on the unit you just aquired.
It may be a bit costly to have done, but it's only a one-time investment, and insurance that you'll have peace of mind."

So that I know I'm not getting taken for a ride, what does the restoration consist of and how much should it cost?Mechanically the unit is in great condition and works very well I fully understand your point on the electronics and have tempered my use. On the source dial there is an FM and FM stereo selection. I notice a significant degradation in volume between the 2.

nellison wrote:So that I know I'm not getting taken for a ride, what does the restoration consist of and how much should it cost?Mechanically the unit is in great condition and works very well I fully understand your point on the electronics and have tempered my use. On the source dial there is an FM and FM stereo selection. I notice a significant degradation in volume between the 2.

It all depends on:
*The components needing replacement. (tubes, capacitors, resistors, changer parts, etc)
*The labor involved in restoration. (and if extensive re-alignment is needed - previous putzing was done, etc)
It's a tedious job, so not many care to do it.

Expect anywhere from around 250-450 for a full & proper restoration - a one-time investment to reverse decades of aging and neglect.
However, your mileage may vary.
Best to get if possible, some references about the servicer in question.

As for me, I've got 5 star ratings, and numerous letters from happy people, so I've got no worries.
And neither should a good tech worthy of their practice.

Thank you sir.