Bobby Basham wrote:Hey Gary,
Bless yo' Bones and Happy New Year! I have a service manual for the W620 to W622 turntables.There may be some info amongst the junk about the W624. They are mostly cosmetically different on top, but operate the same underneath. Most of these turntables are interchangeable, the only concern being those plastic molex connectors. I can swap turntables from one console to another.
There are several cartridges that will fit made by Electro-Voice and Astatic. Garage-a-Records and other companies sell them, just can't remember the others right now. Oh, maybe the Needle Doctor, but their needles, in my opinion, are expensive. I can get needles at Radio Shack for $4.99-$5.99. If you read the Archives, I posted something about those needles and cartridges in March 2006. I don't have my notes in front of me, but if you remove the cartridge, it may have a Magnavox number (like 560315-1) plus an Electro-Voice/Astatic number (like EV-256D or EV-275)on it.
And, as far as the sound, these amps run very conservatively. There's something engineered in the amp circuitry called a "damping factor" to make those stiff woofers do what they do. I bought a Maggie console from the thrift store that had been stripped of its speakers and crosssover network. The woofers run full-range. Foam suspension woofers do not work well. The next best thing that I could find were a pair of "PA" speakers with a riggid surround. As far as those horns, they are, I believe, are midrange, not tweeters. I bought some tweeters from Parts Express, and they would make your ears bleed. Something like 104 decibels. I then bought their midrange, abit loud,but not as piercing. Just strap a resistor across the terminals to bring the volume down.
I'm no expert or know-it-all, just someone who wants to preserve and keep these big beautiful beasts functioning. I've got co-workers who want to get back into vinyl, and since I've finally got my own office (again), I'm gonna haul one of these beasts in there and give them a taste of the joy of vinyl, an rekindle their interest.
May you have a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year. --BB
Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona
Bobby,
I used to design and build speakers in the 80's. I have a tone generator and db meter that I will test the horns when they come in. I'll find out what their lower and upper range is. I've ordered speakers from Parts express since the 80's. Great company. I was thinking about changing over to mid and tweeter which a I have a few at home. But I want to keep the original sound. But curiosity will eventualy get to me and I will replace the horns with mids and tweeters eventually. I have a nice set with crossovers and pots that would work perfectly. Your right about the 12" being full range. Damping factor? Have to dind out more about that. I have the turnbable apart right now. Cleaning it up and greasing/oiling as needed. Just need the cartridge which is a Astatic 195 D. If you want, send me an email at gp57@yahoo.com and I'll send you a picture of the Unit. Maybe it will give you a few idea's. Will let you know the results of the Horns.
Gary
