Phonoland

Hey Folks,

Where is everyone these days? I know I've been busy still trying to get the new house set up and haven't been here much. I had two Maggies die this weekend; one has a dead channel that went in and out like a broken wire, the second one just went completely dead but still has power. No hiss or hum from either of them. I am not in the mood.

The newer 70's (1973) unit (not an Astro-Sonic) has a small amp bolted to the bottom and two huge styrofoam "bullet-shaped" enclosures for the woofers and the older 1966 Santiago Astro-Sonic 100 has one of those A575 amps with 100 watts music power. It's the one with one dead channel.

Since that A575 amp has the imputs right in your face, I could probably hook up a CD/Cassette deck with a variable output to see if the problem is there, or just reverse those two wires from the receiver to see if the problem moves to the other channel.

I haven't done a cap job on either of them and I don't like the fact that I'll also have to remove the separate receivers to check them out. I don't recall paying more than 25 bucks for each of them, and they are both beautiful and the sound is amazing.

Sorry for whining...I got the whole week off (much needed rest) and can finish building my shelving unit and get my workroom in order. I kinda miss the smell of solder. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Hello; as far as the dead channel is concerned, I've been there with my '60 Maggie (great pet name for these machines). Sounds great on both channels now, but it did take the isolation and replacing of three dead resistors. The caps were replaced wholesale while I was about it.

Starting with what you suggested, swapping inputs around to see if the symptoms follow the wire or remain, is a good idea.

Yeah, I know that I can fix it, but I'm more concerned about getting my house together and presentable to guests. The house is practically brand new, I'm just moving all my junk around debating what to donate to Good Will/Salvation Army. Too many record players, so little time...LOL.

I haven't touched a soldering gun or meter in over a year. It's on my to-do list. I just wasted a whole week of vacation laying around and watching TV and didn't get may projects done...I really needed the rest to take my mind off my job(s). I should have taken two weeks since I'm starting to feel "normal" and can start kicking butt on these projects. Oh well.

I've learned enough over the years to troubleshoot all the issues that I've encountered with these Maggies, it's just getting that motivation to do it. Too many projects going on simultaneously. Don't mean to unload my baggage on you.

I just wanted to check in to see how everyone is doing and see what new acquisitions/problems are hovering out there for newbies and whoever. It's the holiday season and folks are probably real busy. This room was really buzzing back in 2006 and that's what attracted me to it. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

I'm still around, but can empathize with your "downtime" usage: I'm the same way. I haven't found the time in a couple years to mess with the maggies on my project list: replacing the FM tuner section of a console, and restoring a portable, along with the tedium of replacing all the caps and resistors in the 50s Philco unit. That will probably wait another 30 years until I retire.

I've mostly been concentrating on my analog Victor and Edison machines.

Cheers,
Bill
Pittsburgh, PA

Well, after being lost for who knows how long, I'm back. Even forgot I registered here already. Old computer crashy.. Lost link. Lost info.
Ouch!
Bill Cahill

Welcome back, Bill Cahill and pghcoyote. Bless yo Bones!!!
Oh, Is "pgh" Pittsburgh, PA? I'm originally from Grove City, not too far from there, graduated in 1974.

I'm slowly gearing back up with alittle motivation. Built a couple of bookcases and some wall shelving units to store my CD's. That 4th BR/workshop is done for the most part. Built a huge hutch that sits ontop of the deep desk. It will hold all my manuals, solderings guns, etc.

I may have to let some consoles go. There are at least six (different brands) out in the garage plus two Maggie drum table units. Not to mention numerous reel-to-reels, turntables, cassette decks and speakers. Where's that 12-Step program when I need it? --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Hmmm. Wish I could find the correct 1946 Magnavox Regency that my father had.
Or, was it the Belvedere?
All I remember is it had the Amp 111A
a deluxe am, sw, old fm band tuner, with eye tube,
WC 78 changer, and, solonoid, with matching button on front of radio for lazy man record reject.
Two 12" speakers, tuner had manny tubes, inclucing one miniatre tube in front center, that I think was the fm oscilator.
Come to think of it, it was the Belvedere.
I miss that set. It was a beuty!
Bill Cahill

I have 6 classes to teach.