Maybe not a new topic, but a new user!!! PLEASE HELP!!!

Hello, I just aquired a magnavox micromatic model no# 15T621R.... i have been desperate for a player that works, but this one was free, so i am tring to fix it... Problems- i'm fairly certain the needle is dead... i searched on ebay and found a few but not sure which to get... the speakers won't amplify, and it runs on magnavox tubes (different sizes)...it powers on radio works kinda, the tunrtable spins, and the auto switch works... i guess i just need some advice... Information....ANYTHING!!! My records are sad, cold, and getting dusty!!!

( Soundless in Seattle)

Hi, First thing to do is Replace ALL tubes. The tubes may be "burnt out" but
still appear to light up and "look" good. Second, replace the needle. This two steps will eliminate most problems.
Good Luck!

Sorry Les, but I dis-agree with replacing all tubes ! If you want, you could test all tubes, but remember that "tube testers" are designed to SELL tubes ! Any "shorted" tube should surely be changed, but tubes showing "weak" need to be compared with a new, known good one, on the SAME "tester", prior to changing.
"Soundless", Speakers do not amplify--they re-produce what ever the amplifier sends them, into sound. Since the radio functions, I would have to assume that the amplifier/speaker (and the "tuner") portion is operating. Needles do not usually "go dead". They usually loose the "point" or it gets "dull". Cartridges, on the other hand, do "die", however other things can cause "no sound", such as the needle not being installed correctly.
"Magnavox" never made tubes. They may have that word on them, but they were "made for " them by a (major?) tube maker. All tubes have a number on them, and will exchange with another brand having the same number 99.99% of the time.
Look in the phone book for a local "Electronic parts house" or "Radio/TV repair shop" and take your unit in if possible. They should be able to install a new needle, and check it out--it most likely also needs lubrication anyway. Ron Rich

Les wrote:Hi, First thing to do is Replace ALL tubes. The tubes may be "burnt out" but
still appear to light up and "look" good. Second, replace the needle. This two steps will eliminate most problems.
Good Luck!

WOW!..... what an UNeducated reply!
Please stay out of the kitchen if you don't know how to cook.
You'd never work in MY repair shop, you'd cost me too much money!

I would agree with Ron. Don't replace tubes, check for shorts. Tubes don't often "go bad" for no reason. Usually they go because of a bad circuit in the chassis. Check with www.west-techservices.com for parts or help with your restoration.

Before anything, all the old leaky capacitors HAVE to be replaced.
THEN, and only THEN, can other things be done to restore the mechanical problems, such as getting a cartridge (if it is really bad).

That cartridge might be still good, but aged capacitors can block the sound from reaching the tubes.

I wish people (mostly do-it-yourselfers) knew this and sought repairs before trying to jump to conclusions about things.

I'm only stating this because I'm a seasoned technician and an expert at troubleshooting problems in vintage as well as modern electronics.