Phonoland

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to PhonoLand and own a vintage 1966 (?) Magnavox Astro-Sonic solid-state console system.

My father actually bought this brand new and I've been able to keep it all these years... even after several moves too! Damn, these consoles are heavy. I just got it out of storage and fired it up again a couple weeks ago. Think the last time this was turned on was back in 1995. I think this cabinet finish is Mediterranean, but I'm not sure as the model tag is difficult to read.

For the most part, the system works nicely. The cabinet is in real good shape still. I just cleaned up the Micromatic turntable and everything seems to work fine with both the audio and mechanical functions. Old Led Zeppelin LP's rocks again, gotta try some older 45's now... hmm, the Beach Boys or Beatles should do! All the FM functions work well too. I've also connected a 60gb Archos media tablet to the aux mode to play endless music thru the system, and have wired in 4 additional external speakers for music in the family room and main bathroom. So new technology meets up with old school... hah!

There are a couple problems though. There's a little problem with the AM, but I can see where there's three fine wires going to the antenna coil that are broken. I should be able to fix this and expect the AM to be OK. Had to replace some 6.3v display and power lamps, but that's no big deal.

I've been talking a little with Bobby Basham (senior member) as I have a problem with low volume on one side. He's been a "great help" with suggestions and what needs to be done. Thanks Bobby! We both believe my problem is in the preamp section, which is located on the tuner/receiver chassis. I'm hoping that it's just some defective capacitors that can be replace.

I would like to get the service schematics, manuals and any brochures for this system. Below are some chassis numbers and photos of my Astro-Sonic.

Hopefully someone can help locating some of these papers.

1) Cabinet: 3RP???? Finish ?
2) Turntable: Model W620 01-00, Ref# 6603, Part# 523698-1, S/N 35296
3) Tuner/Receiver Chassis: Tag 703141 12/65 M, also Tag R20701 OA (maybe CA)
4) Amplifier Chassis: Tag A57502 AC 01/66, and a 9 24 6 inked on the amp chassis.

I have two Astro-Sonic 100's; The Francisco 1-RP679 and the Santiago 1-RP667 that were featured in a 1966 brochure. Both of these have the exact tuner/amp/turntables that you pictured, but I think one may have the 15" super-sonic woofers with 48 oz magnets while the other may have the heavy-duty 15" with the 20 oz magnets. These units boasted 100 watts of undistorted music power.

Sams photofact Set 748, Folder 7 (dated April, 1965) covers amps A575-01-00, A575-02-00 and A575-03-00. Sams photofact Set 790, Folder 5 (dated December, 1965) covers receiver R207-01-00.

I believe I still have the old E-mails from Charles Kennedy, back in 2005, who sent me scanned Magnavox service manuals on the W602, W603, W604, W605, W606, W607, W608, W620, W621, W622, W714, W715 and W716 changers. They are very legible. The newer 700 series had the one idler wheel that operated the speed and the change cycle and some had the tone arm lift lever. He was retired at the time and was going through some health issues...I hope he's still around these days.

If anyone would like the turntable emails, I'll gladly forward them to you. That should answer alot of changer questions. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

On your lower volume on one channel. Did this happen before you added the four speakers? And did you try switching speakers from each channel? Try balancing the speakers with a non stereo record.
Bill

Bill... I remember having this volume problem back in 1995, before hooking up external speakers. I also switched the input RCA cables to the amp from the receiver, and the problem will switch sides. Got a feeling it's in the preamp section.

Bobby... I'll take you up on the service manual for the W620 turntable.

Thanks,
Cap'n Bry

Bobby:

Would it be possible to get a W603 service manual. I'm trying to resurrect one I found on the side of the road for the trash-man.

Thanks,

Rich

I had a few issues with my computer, so I erased everything, i'm computer major from the 1990's, but this bug was a pain in the ass.

Give me your private email. I'm at "rwbasham@yahoo.com." I will send you the W620 manuals that I still have.

capnbry wrote:Hello Everyone,

I'm new to PhonoLand and own a vintage 1966 (?) Magnavox Astro-Sonic solid-state console system.

My father actually bought this brand new and I've been able to keep it all these years... even after several moves too! Damn, these consoles are heavy. I just got it out of storage and fired it up again a couple weeks ago. Think the last time this was turned on was back in 1995. I think this cabinet finish is Mediterranean, but I'm not sure as the model tag is difficult to read.

For the most part, the system works nicely. The led lights in real good shape still. I just cleaned up the Micromatic turntable and everything seems to work fine with both the audio and mechanical functions. Old Led Zeppelin LP's rocks again, gotta try some older 45's now... hmm, the Beach Boys or Beatles should do! All the FM functions work well too. I've also connected a 60gb Archos media tablet to the aux mode to play endless music thru the system, and have wired in 4 additional external speakers for music in the family room and main bathroom. So new technology meets up with old school... hah!

There are a couple problems though. There's a little problem with the AM, but I can see where there's three fine wires going to the antenna coil that are broken. I should be able to fix this and expect the AM to be OK. Had to replace some 6.3v display and power lamps, but that's no big deal.

I've been talking a little with Bobby Basham (senior member) as I have a problem with low volume on one side. He's been a "great help" with suggestions and what needs to be done. Thanks Bobby! We both believe my problem is in the preamp section, which is located on the tuner/receiver chassis. I'm hoping that it's just some defective capacitors that can be replace.

I would like to get the service schematics, manuals and any brochures for this system. Below are some chassis numbers and photos of my Astro-Sonic.

Hopefully someone can help locating some of these papers.

1) Cabinet: 3RP???? Finish ?
2) Turntable: Model W620 01-00, Ref# 6603, Part# 523698-1, S/N 35296
3) Tuner/Receiver Chassis: Tag 703141 12/65 M, also Tag R20701 OA (maybe CA)
4) Amplifier Chassis: Tag A57502 AC 01/66, and a 9 24 6 inked on the amp chassis.

Yes looks in very good shape? DO you still have it and would like to sell? Waiting for reply ..

Bobby Basham wrote:If anyone would like the turntable emails, I'll gladly forward them to you. That should answer alot of changer questions. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

If you still have them, I would love the service manual to the W603! That would be a lifesaver.

Derrick Beasley
Louisville KY