This has to be the best 'for eBay' video I've ever seen. You have a great voice for narration and you're a very good salesman - this actually inspired me to keep the one I found in a storage unit instead of selling it on Facebook marketplace. 😆
I have a 73' zenith allegro console my parents bought new. By 1980 the speakers had been put through a lot of loud playing and we're getting a little crunchy so we had the best hifi shop in our area put in the best speakers and drivers they had. When people hear the sound coming from this console they're usually amazed. It came with a turntable, am/fm, and an 8-track player that recorded from every setting and had a microphone to record anything else you wanted. Still have it and it still sounds great.
Wow takes me back to my mom's prized Magnavox console that she had a bookcase built around. This was in 1971 and there were no legs on it, no carvings and narrow speaker screens on the front with larger speaker screens on the sides. Perhaps you know of the model. I keep searching for it out there hoping someone didn't discard it. When a TV repairman told her the tube was not worth repairing and to get a new TV, she did...BUT she kept the console and moved it to act as a side table by the sofa since that magnificent turntable kept working. We were SO sad to leave it behind or maybe it went into an estate sale when they had to downsize. It was really beautifully made and her model was pretty simple in its design so it never really looked dated but looked like a nice piece of walnut furniture by the sofa when the wood tv screen panels were closed. So civilized in design. A lot of money...like buying a car. But this is what so much is now too and you do not get near the quality. Thank you for walking through the tone arm functions which seemed miraculous and survived my childhood curiosity. It's so great to be old now and look back on how it all worked. We knew they were special and beautiful then. And just a decade later by the 1980s, the quality difference was significant although my mom stuck with loyalty to Magnavox with the replacement. It was a nice wood but just a TV and no panels to cover the screen which disturbed her (and us too.) Now everything is just a giant plastic screen on a wall and so intrusive and ugly. These consoles got criticized as conspicuous consumption but compared to today, they are a study in discretion, respect for quiet and high quality at every turn. They do require a sizeable room. Thank you for such a great job with this. And thank you for keeping people appreciative of the value in repair and restoration.
DIY Magnavox wrench- some of you may be familiar with Magnavox's practice of mounting the faceplate with upside down PAL nuts. They provided their dealers with the proprietary "handi-tool" to allow easy disassembly. In my console one nut came out easily with pliers, but the other absolutely refused to budge. After several failed attempts, I came up with a sure fire DIY tool. Get your hands on a 1/4-20 x 1 3/4" coupling nut (such as Grainger #41JZ35). Make certain that it measures 7/16 (.438) across the hex flats, some providers have other sizes here. Drill our the threads to 3/8 inch. I don't have a machine shop, so I had to do it a little at a time with successively larger drills from 1/4". When you are done you will have your own Magnavox wrench.
You have great taste in music love the smooth jazz on this Gorgeous Magnavox, My friend brought a smaller one for his apt and we love to listen to Sarah Vaugh on it, they all sounded so good
Hi Joyce...just Google 560344-2 and you will see a replacement stylus. The vast majority of your model will use that stylus...compare the images on your Google search to your stylus to confirm. Good luck! Cost should not exceed $15-20.
Nice demonstration video and such a nice unit in perfect condition. I find it amazing how much work they put into building such a horrible sounding stereo unit. All that craftsmanship built around a low-end ceramic phono cartridge changer. It wouldn't matter how huge the woofers and magnets are when the sound source is so substandard. For the price this huge pile of crap sold for back in the day you could have bought a nice, real high-end separate component system, or at least a much nicer Fisher or Pilot stereo console with a nice Garrard changer with a Shure magnetic cart and some real 3-way speakers with proper cross-overs. But none the less, my complements to how well you kept this piece of low-end consumer audio history. I hope some idiot paid you big bucks for it.
Thanks for going though all the features. I just bought one of these (works perfectly, once I put in a new needle and set the tone arm weight) and I found this video very helpful. Do you happen to know the Chassis model number? I can't find the number on mine, and want to find the literature for it.
Very glad that this was helpful to you. The chassis number is R214-06-AA . If/when you find the schematic, it will likely be identified as simply R214. The other 06-AA designation captures minor production changes.
It isn't hard. On the radio/amplifier chassis there are jacks for auxiliary (or tape) input. It's a bit of a pain to find them, because they're sort of hidden, but follow the changer's signal leads and you find the aux-in leads. I used a cheap automotive inspection mirror to find mine; it just a round 1" or 2" mirror on an extendable pole. Your bluetooth receiver should come with a set of adapter leads. Plug those into the amp connections and you're good to go. Caveat: Some of those Bluetooth receivers have a fairly weak output signal. You may need to turn the console's volume up a fair bit.
Hi Larry...actually, Magnavox began using Collaro changers back in the mid 1950s. Having an ample supply of quality changers for its growing console business was a problem for Magnavox, so they made a major investment in Collaro. I believe it was a 51% stake, which allowed them to control allocation of the changers. A bit later, in 1961 or so, Magnavox bought all of the remaining interest in Collaro and it became wholly owned by Magnavox. Virtually 100% of production - as Magnavox Micromatics - was installed in Magnavox products after Collaro was completely captive. In the late 1960s, the changer plant also made a less expensive changer for the lower-end consoles: the Automatic 400. It took a long time, but eventually the "quality" console market that Magnavox had dominated for decades, dried up. By the 1980s, cheaper changers were needed for this cheaper line of console product, so the old Collaro plant in Barking, England was sold. Personally, I would have liked to see Magnavox simply exit the console product category with dignity, but they bowed to market forces and built consoles of very inexpensive materials because that's about all that was left in the way of market demand. Only the very top of the line was respectable by historic Magnavox standards...and eventually they did exit the console business completely.
@@murphman76 in the late 60's and early 70's they used VM and Maestro changers in a few models but one particular Maestro turned out to be problematic so they resumed used Collaro exclusively
I still have my 1964 Magnavox console similar to the one in this video. My AUX is a open reel tape deck. I am looking for someone like the maker of this video to restore it. Please let me know.
Hi Ray...best thing to do is to try to find an "old timer" TV/Audio repair company in your area. Since few technicians repair late model TVs, your best bet might be to find a vintage audio servicer, since high-end audio components are worth repairing, while modern TVs usually are not.
So we have one just like this but some minor differences but it has the same name and everything I don’t know anything els about it but we have it just sitting in the storage shed collecting dust my mom says it was my great great uncles who was born sometime in the 20s or 30s I wanted to take it out the shed see if I can find out more about it and get a better look but my mom said it’s broken something about the needle or pin not being their anymore I really wanna know more about it I was able to kind open the top a bit and saw a ton of records that were old old but couldn’t go threw them and find out the names cause so much stuff was on it
If it's been sitting as long as I suspect, it will probably need some work. Needles are not hard to find; I get mine from theVoiceofMusic.com. The changer will likely need to be cleaned out and relubricated. The radio/amp chassis may need some attention as well, and in a hot/humid environment the speaker cones might have also warped. All of these things can be corrected, and when it's all done you'll have something really special that you can pass on to your kids as a true, working antique - a monument to a time when they made wonderful things.
Magnavox company buy the turntables from England, but we don't know which company is it, most of the Magnavox productions turntable is from the same company, I have Magnavox and I tried to find anything guide me to the name of that British company, I didn't find it.
In the 1950s, Magnavox began buying record changers from Collaro, which was the largest changer maker in Great Britain at the time. As Magnavox grew, it wanted to ensure a steady supply of quality changers, so they began to invest in Collaro. Eventually - by the early 1960s - Collaro became a wholly owned subsidiary of Magnavox. The main production facility was in Barking, England. Once wholly owned, Magnavox ceased referring to the changers as "Collaro" and they were re-designed/updated as the Magnavox Micromatic. Later, a less expensive changer was added to the product line, (with a 2-pole vs. 4-pole motor) and it was named " Magnavox Automatic 400".
Not all vintage electronics need to be recapped, although it is highly advisable with tube equipment of this vintage. Magnavox was the first to market a fully transistorized console (Astro-Sonic line in 1962). If the performance is in the good to excellent range, I don't usually re-cap the Astro-Sonics...and I have never had one damage itself under this practice. Of course, if you are very fussy, have the time and $$$ to re-cap, by all means do so - but recognize that the "don't fix what ain't broke" maxim could rear it's ugly head (i.e. when you run into unexpected problems caused by your re-cap efforts).
This has to be the best 'for eBay' video I've ever seen. You have a great voice for narration and you're a very good salesman - this actually inspired me to keep the one I found in a storage unit instead of selling it on Facebook marketplace. 😆
You are most kind...thank you. So glad you enjoyed it.
So glad to find this! We still have this exact model, have the external 8 track player box to go with it.
I have a 73' zenith allegro console my parents bought new. By 1980 the speakers had been put through a lot of loud playing and we're getting a little crunchy so we had the best hifi shop in our area put in the best speakers and drivers they had. When people hear the sound coming from this console they're usually amazed. It came with a turntable, am/fm, and an 8-track player that recorded from every setting and had a microphone to record anything else you wanted. Still have it and it still sounds great.
Thanks. I don’t believe anyone has ever demonstrated this brand named stereo as well as you have done. Very well done. Nice room and carpet too
Thanks for the kind comment, John...much appreciated.
I love the old consoles always beautiful sound!
Wow takes me back to my mom's prized Magnavox console that she had a bookcase built around. This was in 1971 and there were no legs on it, no carvings and narrow speaker screens on the front with larger speaker screens on the sides. Perhaps you know of the model. I keep searching for it out there hoping someone didn't discard it. When a TV repairman told her the tube was not worth repairing and to get a new TV, she did...BUT she kept the console and moved it to act as a side table by the sofa since that magnificent turntable kept working. We were SO sad to leave it behind or maybe it went into an estate sale when they had to downsize. It was really beautifully made and her model was pretty simple in its design so it never really looked dated but looked like a nice piece of walnut furniture by the sofa when the wood tv screen panels were closed. So civilized in design. A lot of money...like buying a car. But this is what so much is now too and you do not get near the quality. Thank you for walking through the tone arm functions which seemed miraculous and survived my childhood curiosity. It's so great to be old now and look back on how it all worked. We knew they were special and beautiful then. And just a decade later by the 1980s, the quality difference was significant although my mom stuck with loyalty to Magnavox with the replacement. It was a nice wood but just a TV and no panels to cover the screen which disturbed her (and us too.) Now everything is just a giant plastic screen on a wall and so intrusive and ugly.
These consoles got criticized as conspicuous consumption but compared to today, they are a study in discretion, respect for quiet and high quality at every turn. They do require a sizeable room. Thank you for such a great job with this. And thank you for keeping people appreciative of the value in repair and restoration.
I have the identical model. It is a complete joy to listen to it.
i too have the same model but can't find the right replacement needle. part of the model number is gone but ends in 621. can you help?
DIY Magnavox wrench- some of you may be familiar with Magnavox's practice of mounting the faceplate with upside down PAL nuts. They provided their dealers with the proprietary "handi-tool" to allow easy disassembly. In my console one nut came out easily with pliers, but the other absolutely refused to budge. After several failed attempts, I came up with a sure fire DIY tool. Get your hands on a 1/4-20 x 1 3/4" coupling nut (such as Grainger #41JZ35). Make certain that it measures 7/16 (.438) across the hex flats, some providers have other sizes here. Drill our the threads to 3/8 inch. I don't have a machine shop, so I had to do it a little at a time with successively larger drills from 1/4". When you are done you will have your own Magnavox wrench.
Very helpful advice to many. I have the original Magnavox "Handi-tool", but they are hard to find!
It's easy to see how Magnavox became the world leader in console manufacturers
it's like robert Goulet was there in person it sounds that clean
Beautiful console. Always loved the Micromatic turntables. And it all still works! Thanks for sharing.
beautiful piece. we had one when i was growing up.
You have great taste in music love the smooth jazz on this Gorgeous Magnavox, My friend brought a smaller one for his apt and we love to listen to Sarah Vaugh on it, they all sounded so good
Thanks so much! One of the great "men of Magnavox" that I knew in my 30 years with that company shares your name!
Mine was 1967 and had the Meditarran cabinet but the same speakers. I was sad to see it go.
I have this same exact model and I treasure it greatly.
I've got the model with reel to reel recoder
that has a very clean sound
What a beautiful piece 😍 ❤️
Love these record players
Think our grandparents had one-a these wee beasties...
We used to sell the heck otta those at the Western Auto. Sheryl Crow mentioned them in a song
Yes they did...and yes she did (...the Magnavox sighs)!
I have the same model and have had a terrible time finding the correct needle replacment.
Hi Joyce...just Google 560344-2 and you will see a replacement stylus. The vast majority of your model will use that stylus...compare the images on your Google search to your stylus to confirm. Good luck! Cost should not exceed $15-20.
What is the name of the song and artist being played on the smart phone blue tooth?
Nice demonstration video and such a nice unit in perfect condition. I find it amazing how much work they put into building such a horrible sounding stereo unit. All that craftsmanship built around a low-end ceramic phono cartridge changer. It wouldn't matter how huge the woofers and magnets are when the sound source is so substandard. For the price this huge pile of crap sold for back in the day you could have bought a nice, real high-end separate component system, or at least a much nicer Fisher or Pilot stereo console with a nice Garrard changer with a Shure magnetic cart and some real 3-way speakers with proper cross-overs. But none the less, my complements to how well you kept this piece of low-end consumer audio history. I hope some idiot paid you big bucks for it.
Thanks for going though all the features. I just bought one of these (works perfectly, once I put in a new needle and set the tone arm weight) and I found this video very helpful. Do you happen to know the Chassis model number? I can't find the number on mine, and want to find the literature for it.
Very glad that this was helpful to you. The chassis number is R214-06-AA . If/when you find the schematic, it will likely be identified as simply R214. The other 06-AA designation captures minor production changes.
@@murphman76 Thank you very much for the additional information. The more I listen to mine, the more I am amazed at the sound!
I just picked up the same one, how much you sell this for?
That would've been a dream come true for me
I have an almost identical unit; same receiver/chassis and changer, but it's a slightly smaller cabinet. Sounds fantastic!
I have this exact Stereo Console. Could you possibly do a how to on hooking up that bluetooth?
It isn't hard. On the radio/amplifier chassis there are jacks for auxiliary (or tape) input. It's a bit of a pain to find them, because they're sort of hidden, but follow the changer's signal leads and you find the aux-in leads. I used a cheap automotive inspection mirror to find mine; it just a round 1" or 2" mirror on an extendable pole.
Your bluetooth receiver should come with a set of adapter leads. Plug those into the amp connections and you're good to go.
Caveat: Some of those Bluetooth receivers have a fairly weak output signal. You may need to turn the console's volume up a fair bit.
I like this.
What is that black box you used for Bluetooth? Where can I find it
Do you know why they stopped using collaro turntables in the stereos Collaro didn't cease to make anything untill 1993
Hi Larry...actually, Magnavox began using Collaro changers back in the mid 1950s. Having an ample supply of quality changers for its growing console business was a problem for Magnavox, so they made a major investment in Collaro. I believe it was a 51% stake, which allowed them to control allocation of the changers. A bit later, in 1961 or so, Magnavox bought all of the remaining interest in Collaro and it became wholly owned by Magnavox. Virtually 100% of production - as Magnavox Micromatics - was installed in Magnavox products after Collaro was completely captive. In the late 1960s, the changer plant also made a less expensive changer for the lower-end consoles: the Automatic 400.
It took a long time, but eventually the "quality" console market that Magnavox had dominated for decades, dried up. By the 1980s, cheaper changers were needed for this cheaper line of console product, so the old Collaro plant in Barking, England was sold. Personally, I would have liked to see Magnavox simply exit the console product category with dignity, but they bowed to market forces and built consoles of very inexpensive materials because that's about all that was left in the way of market demand. Only the very top of the line was respectable by historic Magnavox standards...and eventually they did exit the console business completely.
@@murphman76 in the late 60's and early 70's they used VM and Maestro changers in a few models but one particular Maestro turned out to be problematic so they resumed used Collaro exclusively
@@larryshaver3568 Those were used on low-end models only...before Magnavox designed the Automatic 400 for that purpose...then those were "out".
I still have my 1964 Magnavox console similar to the one in this video. My AUX is a open reel tape deck. I am looking for someone like the maker of this video to restore it. Please let me know.
Hi Ray...best thing to do is to try to find an "old timer" TV/Audio repair company in your area. Since few technicians repair late model TVs, your best bet might be to find a vintage audio servicer, since high-end audio components are worth repairing, while modern TVs usually are not.
Nice carpet.
So we have one just like this but some minor differences but it has the same name and everything I don’t know anything els about it but we have it just sitting in the storage shed collecting dust my mom says it was my great great uncles who was born sometime in the 20s or 30s I wanted to take it out the shed see if I can find out more about it and get a better look but my mom said it’s broken something about the needle or pin not being their anymore I really wanna know more about it I was able to kind open the top a bit and saw a ton of records that were old old but couldn’t go threw them and find out the names cause so much stuff was on it
If it's been sitting as long as I suspect, it will probably need some work. Needles are not hard to find; I get mine from theVoiceofMusic.com. The changer will likely need to be cleaned out and relubricated. The radio/amp chassis may need some attention as well, and in a hot/humid environment the speaker cones might have also warped.
All of these things can be corrected, and when it's all done you'll have something really special that you can pass on to your kids as a true, working antique - a monument to a time when they made wonderful things.
That was a lot for the 1960s.
Magnavox company buy the turntables from England, but we don't know which company is it, most of the Magnavox productions turntable is from the same company, I have Magnavox and I tried to find anything guide me to the name of that British company, I didn't find it.
In the 1950s, Magnavox began buying record changers from Collaro, which was the largest changer maker in Great Britain at the time. As Magnavox grew, it wanted to ensure a steady supply of quality changers, so they began to invest in Collaro. Eventually - by the early 1960s - Collaro became a wholly owned subsidiary of Magnavox. The main production facility was in Barking, England. Once wholly owned, Magnavox ceased referring to the changers as "Collaro" and they were re-designed/updated as the Magnavox Micromatic. Later, a less expensive changer was added to the product line, (with a 2-pole vs. 4-pole motor) and it was named " Magnavox Automatic 400".
@@murphman76 That was really amazing informations, thank you so much.
Has it been Recapped.?
Not all vintage electronics need to be recapped, although it is highly advisable with tube equipment of this vintage. Magnavox was the first to market a fully transistorized console (Astro-Sonic line in 1962). If the performance is in the good to excellent range, I don't usually re-cap the Astro-Sonics...and I have never had one damage itself under this practice. Of course, if you are very fussy, have the time and $$$ to re-cap, by all means do so - but recognize that the "don't fix what ain't broke" maxim could rear it's ugly head (i.e. when you run into unexpected problems caused by your re-cap efforts).
@@murphman76 very true.
I.would.like.to.them.make.these
Great.looking.consoles.again.
I.think.alot.of.people.would
Buy.them.put.cd.in.them
Hello michelly Brazil thank you kiss Brazil thank 😙😚🤗