Phonoland

I have the opportunity to pick up a RCA Victrola stereo console with AM/FM tuner and turntable at a local vintage modern furniture store. Its in working condition, sounds great, and looks gorgeous. I cranked up the FM tuner and the sound is warm and clear, but only played with the turntable briefly. The model number is VFR-05W – one of the “new vista” models. Anybody know about these?

I want to make sure its not going to be a nightmare to service it and keep it running in the future. I would imagine it needs a cap job and 3-prong plug upgrade. I haven’t popped the back off, so I’m not sure if its solid state or tube. They’re asking $400, which seems reasonable – I just don’t know. Not a lot of information on these things out there. Is there anything I should look for or beware of? Sure does look cool!

Thanks…

I'm sorry but $400 seems way out of line. It is a tube set with power rectifiers and signal diodes dating to 1965. Are sets such as it selling for prices like what they want where you live? I could handle some buyers with that kind of money where I'm located.

Turn around and walk away as quickly as you can. Regardless of how nice this set is, it is in no way worth $400.00. Unless of course it has $350.00 in $20s stuffed inside it somewhere. My advice is to go to auctions and moving sales by older couples. These sets can sometimes be had for as little as $0.50. I know because I bought quite a few of them that amount. I don't have the heart to see them junked. Most were transistor but there were tube sets as well.

Last year I saw an RCA console circa 1970 on Craigslist for $50. I called the guy and he said it had great sound, but you had to plug in a dvd/cd playing in the aux. jacks to get the good sound. The record changer needed some work and new cart. Some of these old console can have great sound, but they are almost impossible to sell today. So when I hesitated to buy it, the guy said it was free if I came to haul it out. So I got it, but it took up so much room that I in turn gave it to a teenager on my block.

That VFR05W isn't too swift.. it's only got a single-ended 6BQ5 output, Low wattage, probably a bargain set.
If you want a decent RCA console, look for a push-pull amp, they kick azz.