Help for a Magnavox console

Hi!
Hope I'm posting this question in the right place. I have a Magnavox that I "inherited" when I bought my home. It seems to be in really good shape (in appearance). The problem is, there's no power. I've asked around and have been told it might be the fuse, or tube. It's says Magnavox Imperial Micromatic on the turntable, by the knobs it says Astro-Sonic. Model no. LS600, Serial No. 683433 (I found these on the actual turntable). On the back of the console: Model No. 1ST681A and serial 1985139. I hope some of this information is helpful! Thanks for any thoughts and suggestions!!!

(Collector's Lounge is for more general comments and for non-hobby related topics. I moved this to the Electric Gramophones section, so more would see it. Good luck. --JDS)

Hi, just in case. The on/off is on the "timbre". It's pull up for on and down for off. It must be up so the phonograph will operate too. It's overlooked a lot from my experience, lots folks call with same problem. The small lettering may be worn off.
Bill

Thanks Bill, I'll give that a shot. My dad is suggesting that possibly the tube will need replaced, or possibly the fuse also. Any thoughts on where to get replacement needles?

First off, Magnavox "Astrosonic" stereos are transistorized.... there's no "tubes".

There are no "fuses" either.

The problem might be a defective switch, or quite possibly a bad power transformer, power supply, or worse.

Tried the on/off with the timbre know, but no luck. I'm really as huge a newbie as I could be with this, but it is such a beautiful stereo I would really love to get it going again. Any thoughts on how to find the year of this model? (Hope the image isn't too large, it's been a really long time since I've posted on any forums!)

I have a unit the looks exactly like that one, with exception of the hinges and the base. Mine is on small legs. I opened it up a few years ago and found little stickers on the amp/receiver saying something like "9/65", so I'm assuming at least the amp was assembled in 1965. It also has a 600 series turntable with the black tonearm and a tall post with a 9 1/2" turntable.

In my unit, the on/off switch is on the Treble and there is no Timbre. Some models have the on/off switch on the Bass. Turn on that switch and make your selection for radio, etc. If in phono mode, there will be no power until you turn on the turntable.

If you get a chance to remove the back, look for little stickers pasted on the amp/receiver. That should give you a clue to the age.

Best of Luck,

BobbyB
Tucson, Arizona

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll give those a try!

Bless yo' bones....LOL

Let us know what you find out. I'm hoping it's something simple. The only dead one that I've across was one that bad electrolytic caps that had "popped" at their ends. The turntable spun but no sound, not even a hum through the speakers. I think the pilot lights on the receiver were burnt out, too, so it "appeared" to be dead. I think the bulbs are something like GE-1847. Replacement for capacitors and bulbs was only a few bucks and the thing sprang back to life.

I have another unit where the phono worked fine but the FM was dead. Did a cap job on that and it's fine now. I've never come across one where there was no AC period.

Oh, please check your power cord...you don't wanna burn the house down. Also check the molex connection underneath where the AC also goes to the turntable.

In instances like these, it would be nice to connect up with people who have Web Cams so you can actually see what's going on. I threw mine out, but hope to get a new one when I upgrade to a newer computer. --BB

BobbyB
Tucson, Arizona

Thanks for the suggestions! The stereo looks like it's in perfect condition so it seems like I should be able to plug it in, turn it on, and enjoy! I'm only able to get to the "plug it in" part. Even after turning it on, nothing happens. The controls from the top down are: tuning, stereo/am/fm/aux, loudness, bass, treble, timbre (on/off). Do you think that maybe it's a bad power cord, would that be a good place to start? (I'm thinking that eventually all my questions will lead to: "do you know a good repair shop?")

You said that nothing[u][/u]happens. Does the turntable even come on? If so, you're getting AC to the unit and the cord seems to be okay. If not, I would take a good look at the wire and see if it hasn't been stressed at the plug. Some folks used to grab the cord (and not the plug) and yank the thing out of the wall like they were using a vacuum cleaner. The stress at that plug could be a fire hazard.

First off, I am a total amateur but can navigate my way around these things pretty well from years of listing to the retired (and still working) techs in several forums. I'm sure some of the heavy hitters in here chime in and give excellent advice.

Just my opinion, but I would probably check the power cord. I've had one unit where the cord plugged into the back, like on the old floor model televisions, or think of a computer or printer where you have to connect one end of the cord to the back before plugging into the wall outlet.

If it's just a straight cord that is hardwired into the chassis, maybe snip off that old plug and replace it. You can find them at ACE or even Walgreens in the electrical section. I usually replace the entire cord and re-solder in the chassis.

Yes, take off that back and peek real good...what a view!!! Take a wiff...old record players smell good...LOL! The more you look and see how the exposed wiring goes, then it starts to make sense. Check out the speaker wiring diagram and/or a turntable-to-receiver-to-amp diagram, too. It's probably pasted on the floor. And, it is possible that your receiver may not be integrated but separate from the power amp, and it will be mounted on the floor of the unit.

There may be numbers stenciled on both to tell you what you have. Model numbers on the cabinet give no clue as to what actual components you have inside. As I mentioned before, my cabinet looks exactly like yours except my sides run all the way down creating small legs, no beveled edge running around the base, and I have no Timbre control, so your setup is slightly different.

Let's hope it's not serious like a power transformer. I'm rooting for ya and hope you solve this mystery...HOORAY!!!

BobbyB
Tucson, Arizona