Need help with a Magnavox Record Player!

Hello all,
I am new to record players and inexperienced. I have collected records for a bit, but just got my record player today. It is a Magnavox Stereo AM/FM Record Player Cabinet style. I have been provided the Original Documentation and along with it came a card that has all the details and they are as follows:

Model Number: 1P3965

Finish: PECN

Serial Number: 7853641

Final Electrical: 1998
Final Mechanical: 9689
Final Performance: 1909
Final Cabinet: 4782M191G

I would like to know what year was it manufactured and how high is it viewed in your opinion. I believe the turntable is a Magnavox Micromatic and is Made in England and the unit itself is Made in USA. The record player, whilst it does play most of the records I tried, it did not play certain records. The first time I played it, I set the knob to AUTO and it played. However, the AUTO does not work wherein the needle arm makes a full motion and then rests back in its original position. On manual, I am able to play the record, but skips and missteps are imminent now during playback. Overall, I like the feel and build of this unit, but would like to get a general idea on how much would it cost or perhaps what would be needed to get this unit running? All your replies are greatly appreciated. Cheers

There must be a record(s) up on the spindle notch with the stabilizer arm resting on them.
THEN, auto is selected - the arm (needle arm) moves over, taps the record edge to determine its size, then the spindle drops the record to the revolving platter and the record is played.
If NO records are UP on the spindle, the unit will shut itself off.

MattTech wrote:There must be a record(s) up on the spindle notch with the stabilizer arm resting on them.
THEN, auto is selected - the arm (needle arm) moves over, taps the record edge to determine its size, then the spindle drops the record to the revolving platter and the record is played.
If NO records are UP on the spindle, the unit will shut itself off.

Hi
Thanks for your reply. I think I understand what you are trying to say and will try stacking records tomorrow morning. However, the first time, it played while there was only a single record on it. I am still trying to understand its workings, so please do bear with me.

Cheers

electric_king wrote:

MattTech wrote:There must be a record(s) up on the spindle notch with the stabilizer arm resting on them.
THEN, auto is selected - the arm (needle arm) moves over, taps the record edge to determine its size, then the spindle drops the record to the revolving platter and the record is played.
If NO records are UP on the spindle, the unit will shut itself off.

Hi
Thanks for your reply. I think I understand what you are trying to say and will try stacking records tomorrow morning. However, the first time, it played while there was only a single record on it. I am still trying to understand its workings, so please do bear with me.

Cheers

Watch this - learn something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FmwuKt9uM4

MattTech wrote:

electric_king wrote:

MattTech wrote:There must be a record(s) up on the spindle notch with the stabilizer arm resting on them.
THEN, auto is selected - the arm (needle arm) moves over, taps the record edge to determine its size, then the spindle drops the record to the revolving platter and the record is played.
If NO records are UP on the spindle, the unit will shut itself off.

Hi
Thanks for your reply. I think I understand what you are trying to say and will try stacking records tomorrow morning. However, the first time, it played while there was only a single record on it. I am still trying to understand its workings, so please do bear with me.

Cheers

Watch this - learn something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FmwuKt9uM4

Hi Matt,
That video was very helpful. Thanks a bunch. Also, would you have any idea what year might this unit be from given the information in the first post? I am really keen to get this serviced professionally and will upload some pictures to give everyone a better idea. Nonetheless, thank you.
Cheers

If it says Astrosonic on it, it's most likely mid 1960's era.

MattTech wrote:If it says Astrosonic on it, it's most likely mid 1960's era.

Hi Matt,

It does not say Astro Sonic on it. The face of the console is black with a glossy finish with the tuning for the FM being illuminated in orangeish-yellow on the black when in use. There are buttons for STEREO, FM, AM, TAPE, PHONO. I think its from the 1970's since the original documentation had an advert for the Magnavox Odyssey which was the first game console ever made. Funnily, this console had a short life from 1972-1975. Since the advert is for the Odyssey, I am assuming this was made during that time frame, probably in 1972 since it came out first in North America.

Otherwise, I am trying to figure out how to replace the needle myself to see if it would make any difference. Also, I will take pictures. I have been in the middle of a home reno and this happened really quickly, have not had time to do it.

Cheers

Hello all,

I am attaching some pictures of the console. Hope this helps identifying it. Cheers..

Looks like mid '70s to me. Certainly one to hang on to.

Thom wrote:Looks like mid '70s to me. Certainly one to hang on to.

That's about right, Thom.
The "4-channel" rocker switch at the rear of the phono compartment tells the story.
Some manufacturers jumped on the 4-channel bandwagon and added a dumb hookup for external speakers.
As I recall, 4 channel sound was at its peak around 1974 to 1980.

Check out the needle FAQ. There are some illustrations there that may help you. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

"As I recall, 4 channel sound was at its peak around 1974 to 1980."

Here in NYC four channel AKA "Quad" started to buzz in 1971, the big chains Lafayette and Radio Shack were flogging it heavily at that Christmas and in their 1972 catalogs.

A lot of really cheap record players with ceramic pickups that were barely stereo was sold with two more cheap speakers ad labeled Quadrophonic. That didn't help the public's perception of the system.

There were several faux quad systems and the only real four channel was reel to reel and I believe one cartridge format. Given the mediocre results from even fairly expensive decoders, I can't imagine what they could have incorporated into a console...Other than an enhanced price.

The added cost plus the oil price shock and resulting recession that began in fall 1973 seemed to kill most interest and by 1976 it was hard to find much four channel consumer stuff.

I do have a Fisher 601 from mid-1972. there are four 20-25 watt identical amps and an elaborate switching system to route inputs. There are no onboard matrix decoders -only the standard FM multiplex. It listed at $400 in 1971 dollars.

Rob

Rob-NYC wrote:"As I recall, 4 channel sound was at its peak around 1974 to 1980."

Here in NYC four channel AKA "Quad" started to buzz in 1971, the big chains Lafayette and Radio Shack were flogging it heavily at that Christmas and in their 1972 catalogs.

A lot of really cheap record players with ceramic pickups that were barely stereo was sold with two more cheap speakers ad labeled Quadrophonic. That didn't help the public's perception of the system.

There were several faux quad systems and the only real four channel was reel to reel and I believe one cartridge format. Given the mediocre results from even fairly expensive decoders, I can't imagine what they could have incorporated into a console...Other than an enhanced price.

The added cost plus the oil price shock and resulting recession that began in fall 1973 seemed to kill most interest and by 1976 it was hard to find much four channel consumer stuff.

I do have a Fisher 601 from mid-1972. there are four 20-25 watt identical amps and an elaborate switching system to route inputs. There are no onboard matrix decoders -only the standard FM multiplex. It listed at $400 in 1971 dollars.

Rob

Hello

So is this 4 channel stuff not so good? I did see there are speaker hookups at the back. Also, how do you rate magnavox? I would love to hear your opinion on this unit. Cheers

electric_king wrote:Hello

So is this 4 channel stuff not so good? I did see there are speaker hookups at the back. Also, how do you rate magnavox? I would love to hear your opinion on this unit. Cheers

4-channel sound from the 70's was IMO a gimmick and best mediocre.
The high-end component makers all hit the bandwagon, and so did the console makers.
It was a "new sound" and a cash cow, but never really impressed me - and at the time I had to sell that stuff.
The concept was laden with issues, (formats galore) and confusing to many people.
Eventually, it faded away, just as I expected it would from the start.
People got tired of trying to match a given source to their system, and sets included 5 or 6 different settings.
(I've always been a staunch supporter of a good 2-channel system)

As far as your console, use it as a simple stereo, and things should be fine.
I never recommended hooking extra speakers to these systems, so forget the option it has, and you should be ok.

Nevertheless, anything of age should be checked out by a reputable service tech to insure prolonged enjoyment, since aging takes its toll on everything.

So is this 4 channel stuff not so good? I did see there are speaker hookups at the back. Also, how do you rate magnavox? I would love to hear your opinion on this unit. Cheers

Magnavox on it's better sets came closest to true hi-fi in what was generally a "case goods" industry -that term means most of the money is spent on the cabinet rather than the electronics.

In my opinion, the best of the mass market consoles were the Fisher sets. They used genuine high fidelity components, albeit with lower powered amps. The turntables were Dual and used Pickering magnetic pickups. The speakers were what Fisher offered on their lower priced bookshelf units but the receiver's response is shaped to enhance the performance of them.

I have a 1965 Magnavox and after rebuilding the amp/receiver and adding a magnetic pickup with preamp, the set sounds quite good. These sets had a recessive treble and their intended market was often more interested in bass. In that respect Magnavox is clearly better than much of what else was available back then. Most sets used really cheap speakers with high resonance peaks, the result is a headache inducing thump instead of smooth bass. The ceramic pickup they used (in the 60's) was mediocre but highly compliant and didn't damage records. Those early transistor receivers used germanium transistors and these change characteristics as they are used. My set has a lot of inverse feedback in the tone amp section and due to the changed internal impedance of the transistors, the two channels have developed different response curves. When I rebuilt the set in Jan 1990 I was tempted to redesign that section using modern silicon devices, but everybody here was so interested in getting it going that I didn't bother.

The "four channel" system in your set is probably some sort of phasing network that gets switched into the output circuit. The unit probably just has a standard two channel amp. Open the back and have a look.


Given that it is approaching 40 years old, it should be gone over. At the very least the turntable should be lubed and the receiver tested for proper channel balance, hum and any signs of excessive heating of the output transistors.

Have a niece in Toronto, great city -very progressive...but those winters

Rob