Phonoland

Picked it up locally for $50. A Magnavox Credenza Console. It is the Venetian and part of the Stereorama Collection from 1973. This is my first turntable, 8 Track, console. Here are the pics:




















And the manual to boot!!


Let me know what you all think or if any of you have any helpful info such as a replacement needle.

That's really nice! I haven't seen anything like that out here in Australia.
It looks like it's in great condition. Is it all hand painted, or are the decorations decals or what?
It's very regal

Thanks Shane. It looks to be hand painted. The lady I bought it from had received it from her Mother when she passed on. She said she stuck it in the front hallway and put a cloth over it. She NEVER used it. The thing is in almost perfect condition and even came with the 45 adapter for the turntable. I currently have it in my small office connected to 2 additional speakers as the high end is lacking with the stock speakers. The radio is very good - excellent sound. I have a basic dipole wire antenna and can get all but one station. The only unit that can pull that station in is the pioneer tuner in my kitchen.

LOL. You've got to love these people who buy & cover these things. I bought a mid 20's Brunswick console about 20 yrs ago, with the same story. This guys mother bought it new, placed it in the front hall, and covered it with a sheet. This thing is as close to perfect as they come. All the albums were like new, full of records that couldn't have been played more than once or twice, brand new tins of Brunswick needles, and a record duster still in it's cardboard cover! It even had the unused record index for the albums. I think I've done more damage to it in the last 20 yrs than in the previous 60 yrs.
There wouldn't be many Mag Venetian's around in such fine condition I bet. It's a work of art.
I can just see it sitting in some grand mansion amoungst the vineyards in Tuscany...
Great score!

That is a beautiful finish on the cabinet! How is the amp section?

1970's Solid State - I have a CD player rigged up to the 8-track input and it sounds amazing. I need to replace the caps on the speakers as I believe I can handle it. That should improve things considerably.

I;m powering an external pair of speakers and the unit powers them fine. I dont crank the volume too high though.

Nice.
Is that 4 ch tape recorder 'QUAD' compatable?

I have a similar unit that is antique white with a very dark pecan(?) top. The speaker grilles are wire mesh with the pleated cloth behind them and the speakers are angled more forward/slightly outward. The curves at both ends wouldn't allow for the speakers to be mounted on the sides The amp has the switch for the 4-channel decoder and also has an extra pair of aux inputs/outputs so no need to disconnect the 8-track. I noticed that his unit has the 4-channel decoder switch mounted right there with the 8-track. My switch is on the receiver faceplate.

We have the similar turntables except mine has the shorter, almost flat, on/off speed selector, and has a cueing lever. It's either a W715 or W716. Previous owner replaced the cartridge with an EV-5606D which is also a replacement for Magnavox 560389-1. My unit may be newer, give or take a year, from what I can see.

Mine was sitting in a thrift store, they said it needed a needle. They didn't look hard enough, but the needle was laying on the shelf next to the 8-track. I put the needle in, played a record, then ran to the cash register to pay for it...just in time, 'cause when I went back to the unit, another lady was eyeballing it and wanted to buy it, but I told her I already paid for it. Oh well, ya snooze, ya lose. Not bad for $40 bucks. The sound is okay, the radio is loud, but the phono could be alittle louder, and I hate the slower speed since these newer turntables run slower than the older W610/W620 series...drives me up a wall. I do plan on recapping the unit and checking out the resistors and components in the audio chain.

Congratulations on your new acquisition!!! --BB


Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Hey Fletch and Folks...Here's what I have.

I don't have a digital camera right now but I have to send the pics to my email since my computer won't run the software downloaded from my cell phone. Somehow, the pics appear in reverse order. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

There's one on CL in New England right now that looks identical to the OP's.
I think it's under $100
No 8 track

I have one exactly the same but the plain jane version.
Love that headphone jack

nice machine never seen one before

This console was produced for several years. When it was introduced in the Stereorama line it was called THE MINI CONSOLE. After the Stereorama line was deleted it was called THE VENETIAN. Tuner is shorter in THE VENETIAN. It was still manufactured when the more component (blue light up} tuner was being used........Michael