Phonoland

1965 Magnavox Astro Sonic Upgrade.

To begin the story step by step upgrade with pro's and con's:
First I tried using a Preamp into the Tape in connection of the amp.
Made it louder but didn't enhance the Fadelity.
Second I tried a Graphic EQ into the Tape input. Made a difference but
didn't reach what I was expecting.
Thrid, I hooked up a Amplified Sub woffer unit and WALA. What I was missing
is now present. Now I can play any era recording from Rock to Disco to Rap and
Fadility is there. And I can select wether to use the sub or not just by
selecting the exterior speaker knob on the Magnavox face plate. The Sub Amp I
seclected is from Parts Express (Dayton SA70 70W sub amp Part # 300-784). $59.88.
I had a 10" Sub laying around so I used it. It is a ported design. I keep it behind
the sterio cabinet. Now I have Full Fadelity and Frequency range to play any type of
music. The Sub Amp I have set less then halh volume and around 70hz cut off. The amp.
runs off the external speaker outputs on the back of the Magnavox and also follows
the volume from the main Magnavox Amp. So no double volume adjustments! Every thing
is in sync. Now the CD's sound great as does the tunner and phono. Since the sub is
not a part of the Magnavox cabinet it doesn't effect the phono at all. Since I have 2
Sub woffers I am going to make a closed box sub and try that. I believe an 8" sub
would work just as well. Thinking about trying that also. Try to get the smallest
sub cabinet so I can keep the Magy close to the wall. Thinking about 2 8" subs in
a tube design cabinet to lay behind the Magy's cabinet. Will update as I continue.
The important thing is to get a sub that will adjust to the Magy's volume. Trying to
keep the Magy original and not replacing the speakers in the Magy. May try that in
the future to see what the results are. Even with the Sub pumping every thing still
sounds clear and understandable to my ears. You can reach Parts express by
http://www.partsexpress.com Any questions feel free to ask. My wife likes disco music and
I can rock the house now. And no confusing remotes just simple Dials on the Magy. Low
tech operation for the wife. By the way I have the Cd connected to the Tape inputs on
the Magy. I could enhance more with the preamp and graphic EQ but the way it sounds I
don't think it needs it.
Well that's my story.
Gary

Hi Gary. Interesting writeup do you have any pictures of your setup now?

Hey Gary, it does sound interesting.

I don't know what Astro-Sonic model you have, but if it were something like Francisco or Amherst Astro-Sonic 100 ($650 in 1966) or the Santiago and Tuscany Astro-Sonic 100 ($595), They would truly blow you away. They were sporting 100-watts of music (not peak) power and could really shake a foundation. What gets me is that some of the models used 15" Super-Sonic woofers with the 48-ounce magnets or 15" heavy-duty high efficiency woofers with 20-ounce magnets. Either way, they sound awesome.

My one model kicked out so much bass that the lamp sitting on top actually WOBBLED toward the front and almost hit the floor, but I was there just in time to catch it.

I did replace the horns in one with some MID-Range horns from Parts Express...a little too bright. You can strap a resistor across the terminals to tone them down a bit. The original horns are actually midrange, not tweeters. Whatever you do, don't replace with tweeters...your ears will bleed for sure.

Sorry for straying, I'm glad the setup is working for you. I just enjoy the way my consoles sound for the technology that was available at the time and how those engineers meticulously/methodically designed these beasts. It amazes me how a turntable can sit above a 15" woofer and play without a bunch of feedback...must be something about that damping factor, etc.

I keep a small Astro-Sonic console in my office at work, with a CD-player connected and about 100 LP's, and my co-workers are just amazed at how the thing sounds. Truly, they are "Magnificent" Magnavoxes.

Cheers,

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona