Phonoland

It is a Magnavox 836 Stereo system. Serial Number - 11290842, and was built in January 1975. I bought it at an estate sale and have some questions...

1. What needle will I need to replace it with? It actually sounds pretty amazing for having a 35+ year old needle on it, but figured it's time for a touch up.

2. It sounds a tad slow. Not too much, just noticeable on my favorite albums. It is gears and stuff underneath, should I lube stuff?

3. The arm will not kick back. At the end of an LP, it just sits in the middle and clicks. How can I get it to register back? I'd like to put this one in my room but if I pass out before an album finishes, then it'll just run all night in the middle and maybe mess up the needle.

4. Is there any cleaning I need to do to make it better? It seems it was basically sitting in storage in most of it's life on a farm, here in SD.

5. The Cassette -> 8-Track converter thingy doesn't seem to work. Isn't that big of a deal, since the only cassettes I have are my Dad's 80's Hair Metal...

6. Is it easy or smart to swap out the speakers for new? I think it could make it sound better since speakers in 1975 didn't take as much bass as the do now.

Thanks,

-Antsman41

I don't know what the facination is with serial numbers on these things.
They are meaningless, except to Hitler.

As for needing service - either take it to a reputable service tech, or botch it up yourself.
Your choice.

That changer needs a complete cleaning and lube and if you are not well versed in things mechanical take Matt's advice. Good luck.

Check the shipping locks on the turntable. if they are locked down, some of these will not cycle, but others repeat the change cycle.