which is better? Astro-Sonic or Tube Amp?

Hello,

I purchased a Magnavox Astro-Sonic Stereo, a little over a year ago
at a local flea market. The stereo was manufactured in 1963, and
was probally one of the first models to be made with out tubes.
Prior to that I had another Magnavox Console that I inherited off of
my great aunt. That one was made I believe in 1960. or 1961.
It was a little smaller than the one I have now, and it was a tube
model, It had a tube amp and pre-amp.

I purchased this stereo because I just had my other stereo refinished, and it didn't turn out so well. However, all the parts worked. This
one is the Italian Provincial Model. It has a few more controls
than my other one had. It has, controls for Loudness, Bass,
Treble, and Timbre. I am positive that my other one didn't have
a Timbre control.

I am curious to know different opions here. Which is the better Magnavox? The ones that have a tube amp, or the Astro-Sonic
models? I am trying to get my neighbor to sell me her Magnavox.
It is a 1961 Magnavox Imperial Micromatic French Provincial.
Now, I am certain that one has a tube amp.

This Magnavox that I have works. It sounds wonderful, and plays
very well. It has a wonderful Micromatic turntable in it that functions properly and at all the correct speeds. However, I think my Amplifier may be in bad shape. For the last year, It's been making this loud humming sound thats been coming and going. Now, I took the back
the back off and took a look at my Amplifier, and it had no control
knob, for hum. Just a control for balance. I don't even know if the problem is in the Amplifier, it could be somewhere else in the stereo,
but I know it's not from the turntable, because I had the turntable
pluged into my portable Magnavox Unit for a while, and the stereo
hums, on all options, even on the Radio, and Aux.

I am certain that it's time for the stereo to be serviced as it probally has never been worked on, and that the stereo is definately over 40 years old. I am not sure what I should do. I am not sure if I should sell this one, or Repair it. I might consider trying to find one like my neighbor
has, or a Concert Grand. They were both made around the same time.

So, if anyone has any advice for me, let me know. Any advice is appreciated.

Check your audio connections, they could be loose. And you could check for interference from other appliances in the house, lamp dimmers and especially cell phones can be very offinceive to audio equipment.

If you have some humming going on, it may be time (long overdue) for a cap job. Also, these older units did not have polarized plugs and you may have to reverse the connection to the outlet.

Hi Jefferyb....how ya' been?

VERY GOOD. FINALLY GETTING USED TO THE NEW FORUM.

Phonomike did pose a question about which is better, and hoped that some answered his question. I've only come across one tube model, about 36" long in some type of Danish/Contempory styling, definately one of their cheaper models. It has 10" side woofers and 5" front tweeters. I'm not terribly impressed with it but it does sound okay. It does have a micromatic changer with the small platter. Would be nice to run across a big honking tube model.

I do like the Astro-Sonics that have the Timbre control...sorta sweetens and enhances the treble. I do have the Santiago Astro-Sonic 100 model that was featured on the cover of a brochure from around 1966. The manager let me have it for $25. Built low and long and has killer bass. The brochure was in a Coronado Astro-Sonic 20 that I picked up at the same place. That one may have cost about $40. It was interesting to see the prices back in the day.

Now that I think back as a kid, my aunt gave me an old maggie. It had the changer in a drawer on the left side and a door on the left that had the radio. I believe there was also short-wave. It was mono and had two 15" front woofers and was LOUD. Being a kid, a probably broke it and gutted it for some other use.

Having a higher-end tube model would be great, as I believe Magnavox put a lot of time, technology and effort into making their products. Enjoy the best of both, whether it be tube or solid-state. --BB, Tucson

I'm guessing the Astrosonic would sound better. I have a 1970 Forest Hills Contemporary Magnavox Astrosonic with the styrofoam speaker enclosures. The unit has the timber control. This is a big heavy 66" long handsome console, and it rocks.