Hello... New to the Forum

badcj5 · by **badcj5** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:42 pm

Just wanted to take a moment and say Hi to everyone. I am new to the world of vintage record players. My girlfriend gave me a Magnavox stereo/record player for christmas. It worked when she saw it at the store, but now the record player only plays softly, even when the volume is turned all the way up. The stereo is LOUD. Can anyone offer any advice. I have included pics, and if anyone has any idea on how old this piece is, or anything else, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, and I look forward to learning as much as possible. The model number on this Magnavox is 139F. I look forward to hearing from anyone with any information.

Sincerely,
Andy

Bobby Basham · by **Bobby Basham** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 3:30 am

badcj5 wrote:Just wanted to take a moment and say Hi to everyone. I am new to the world of vintage record players. My girlfriend gave me a Magnavox stereo/record player for christmas. It worked when she saw it at the store, but now the record player only plays softly, even when the volume is turned all the way up. The stereo is LOUD. Can anyone offer any advice. I have included pics, and if anyone has any idea on how old this piece is, or anything else, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, and I look forward to learning as much as possible. The model number on this Magnavox is 139F. I look forward to hearing from anyone with any information.

Sincerely,
Andy

Hey, Andy...Bless Yo' Bones....

You've come to the right place. There are many experienced people here to help you, especially my Hero, Record-Changer. I drool everytime someone mentions Magnavox. Before investing any money, make sure that any wires didn't become disconnected from the cartridge during transit. These units can be a bear to move at time.

Do you have one of the infamous Astro-Sonics? Look at the face plate on the radio....maybe something from the 60's; Magnavox Astro_Sonic, High Fidelity. If it played well before, maybe something happened during transit. Another possibility is the cartridge died, and time for a replacement. Take liberty, plug in a CD or cassette player in the AUX/TAPE PLAY/RECORD jacks, if they're on the back...you'll be pleasantly surprised.

If this is a console and want to know the age, take off the back and look for small stickers on the radio/amp chasis that may say something like "09/65 (Sept '65). There is also a sticker on the base of the cabinet that shows Model#, Run#, Power/Watts, etc. Usually, a speaker wiring diagram is included for the cross-over network. Check out the Archives concerning Magnavox or anything by Larry Robinson (Record-Changer).

Your girlfriend did good.

. We need more like her to keep us guys happy with our new/old toys.

BobbyB
Tucson, Arizona

Record-changer · by **Record-changer** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 6:58 am

On the Collaro Conquest stereo changers, the mica blades in the muting switch are easily broken in transit (they get brittle with age). Then they don't separate the contacts of the muting switch. The cartridge is always muted without the mica blades.

I drilled holes in some plastic guitar picks and used those. They have been in service since 1972.

It's also possible the stylus is not centered in the saddle of the pickup.

chuckie · by **chuckie** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 6:23 am

hey everyone, my name is chuck and I have purchased a Magnavox astro sonic hi fi at an estae sale reminded me of my grandparents so had to have it. I am not sure the age or worth (if any) of this but its is in perfect condition with manual still in envelope even! Any info would be a great help

Bobby Basham · by **Bobby Basham** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:14 am

Well, Chuckie:

Give us a little more info on the unit....That's like saying "I BOUGHT A CAR". These beasts have labels and numbers like any electronics you buy nowadays. Get nosey and take off the back and look at any date stickers, model#, run#.

On the underside of the turntable, you may find something like a W608 or W620 series number, on the radio chasis, you may find a little sticker with the model number and date of manufacture. And, if you blessed with a separate power amp, like those Astro-Sonic 100s, there may be a number and date of manufacture on there, too.

Please be alittle more specific about what you got. There are plenty (and I mean plenty) of folks here who can help you out and possibly provide some history on your unit. At least we can narrow it down to the Solid-State Astro-Sonics that appeared in the early 1960's, which were the crossover from tube units. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Thom · by **Thom** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:12 pm

"Give us a little more info on the unit...."

And pictures Bobby. Don't forget about the pictures. Lord knows we love pictures.

Bobby Basham · by **Bobby Basham** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 1:07 am

Oh my, Lordy be...how could I forget that we are visually stimulated, too. I know it gets me going...LOL! --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona