1962 "Magnificent Magnavox" Danish Modern Console
Refurbish / Modernization Project
All tube Receiver / Preamp and separate Tube Amp
Finished value in 2024 about $3,600
After initial cleanup: Preamp, Amp and Turntable pulled out for Refurbish ..
Shown below is the glass window we added for view of the (16) Tubes Glowing ..
All connections were extended to the back, available to the owner for flexibility. Power outlets added inside the compartment with available AUX/TAPE connections ..
The original speakers (tweeter, (2) mid and Woofer on each side) were all in good working condition, new capacitors were installed in their crossover circuits ..
Images above may be clicked for full sized images.
Following is a copy of the "User Manual" we made.......
1962 Magnificent Magnavox
Danish Modern Walnut Console
Tube Stereo with Dual Turntable
User Manual
A 1962 Magnificent Magnavox Console Radio / Record Player in a refinished timeless Danish Modern cabinet. On top of the console is the 57 Series Magnavox Radio Receiver / Preamp with (9) tubes and then the famous 9302 Magnavox Power Tube Amplifier with (7) tubes is sitting on the bottom. All tubes have been tested and replaced as needed (replacements are still readily available). Capacitors were replaced, controls cleaned, bulbs replaced, and all connections snugged up. The speakers are all original with their crossover capacitors replaced. External Speakers can be connected.
The Fully Automatic Turntable is a famous 1966 Dual 1009 that utilizes a standard Pickering MM Moving Magnet Cartridge. A separate Phono Preamp had to be added, accessible from the back to use the HiFi MM Cartridge. This HiFi Dual turntable provides great sound and treats your valuable vinyl with great care.
We then made all the connections and inter-connections for the components available on the back of the console for versatility.
Since it is so popular now to make the “glowing” tubes visible, we added a glass window inside the left compartment to show off the (16) tubes in their glory.
This is a “Daily Driver” Stereo Console for enjoying Analog LP Records or connecting Modern Digital devices.
Console Model: 1ST657S Finish: SWAL Serial Num: 1362051
Receiver / Preamp
Controls
TUNING – Tunes in Radio Stations
ON OFF – Powers entire console off and on, the tubes take a few minutes to warm up.
Function Selector:
TAPE – Plays any type of “Tape In Device” you may have connected to the Front or Back TAPE IN connection. It plays in stereo.
AM – FM Radio Stations
FM AFC – Helps to lock in FM Stations
FM MPX – Was for a “FM Stereo” Option that this unit never had and in this position FM is very weak
STEREO – Is for the Turntable and plays in Stereo
LOUDNESS, TREBLE and BASS control volume and tone of all the functions.
A “Tape In Device” would be any “Line Level Output” audio device, it is the same connection as an AUX input on most stereo components. This could be the headphone jack on a laptop, tablet or phone using a 3.5mm plug to RCA adapter cable, setting the volume too high on these devices could cause distortion when output by the console. Other audio components have line level RCA output jacks like CD Players and Bluetooth Receivers. These use standard L/R RCA to RCA cables. This console will support (2) of these devices to be connected, selectable using the push button inside the left compartment.
Inside the Left Compartment are
Power Connections to provide power and charging for phones, laptops and tablets.
It is always on, even when the console is powered off.
Also here is the Front TAPE IN Connection. Red is the Right Channel and Black is Left. The push button switch below it allows you to select this “Front” connection OR the “REAR” connection in the back.
The
SPEAKER SELECTER switch inside the left compartment provides:
E: CONSOLE built-in speakers only
C: REM. STER. external speakers plugged into the back of the console
D: REM. STER. CONSOLE Both the built-in and external speakers are on
B: EXT.CHAN. is not utilized
Playing records is fully automatic.
Set the function selector on the main Receiver to “Stereo”
A standard LP Album would have the speed set at 33 with a 12” diameter and the tonearm unlocked from it’s resting post.
Playing a record is as easy as sliding the lever (seen in photo) all the way over to START and it will automatically play the record and then return the tone arm and shut off at the end of the record. Sliding it over to STOP during play would do the same.
NOTE the returning of the tone arm is a mechanical operation driven by the rotation of the platter, the console should not be turned off until the tonearm has returned and the lever has returned to it’s idle position (as seen in picture). Due to the precision bearings under the heavy platter, it will continue to spin down long after the turntable has shut itself off. The complete Dual User Manual is included within your documentation.
Tubes generate heat as indicated
by their red glow. On the back of the console we added a small quiet fan to blow
cool air into the console and push heat out.
The black plastic grill can be pulled off to allow cleaning the filter inside.
Included inside the console is an attached plastic container with spare tubes and light bulbs.
HiFi Enthusiasts will
enjoy the connections that we have made accessible on the back of the console.
The very top device is a Phono Preamp that allows us to use a standard HiFi MM Moving Magnet cartridge. The “Low Cut” switch filters out very low frequencies that can be caused by the woofers in the console vibrating the phono cartridge. The Gain control is effectively a volume control to increase the volume output of the MM cartridge.
TAPE OUT can be used for connecting a recording device or sending whatever music is playing to another stereo system in another room. We have successfully sent this out over 50’ using speaker wire with RCA jacks soldered onto each end. Then connecting into an AUX or TAPE IN connection of the other stereo system. This other stereo system would then control the volume to the speakers attached to it. The TAPE OUT signal is unaffected by the Volume, Treble or Bass controls on the console.
TAPE IN on the back is similar to the TAPE IN connection in the front compartment. The push button switch in the front compartment allows you to select this “Rear” TAPE IN connection OR the “Front” TAPE IN connection in the front compartment.
The console has a separate Tube Radio Receiver/Preamp and a separate Tube Power Amp. We brought the inter-connection to the back to provide more versatility. As seen we have jumpers plugged in to send the Preamp signal into the Amp, these jumpers are required unless you are connecting other components to them. You could remove the jumpers and use the PRE AMP out connection to plug into an external power amp with speakers plugged into it. Or you could connect the PREAMP OUT to the input of an Equalizer or Digital Processor with it’s output then connected to the AMP IN of the console. A newer “Headphone Amp” or DAC (Digital Analog Convertor) could serve as a Preamp with its output connected into the AMP IN connection on the console. This would utilize the separate stereo Tube Amplifier and perhaps external speakers for wonderful high fidelity. Note that a component or device connected directly to the AMP IN connection must have a volume control on it. The Receiver/Preamp would be powered on, but not connected to the power amp would have no effect at all on the sound output.
The original speakers in the console are in good condition for their age and have a vintage 1960’s sound. Newer external speakers can be connected to the console to provide very high levels of fidelity. Be sure to connect the Red + positive on the console to the Red + on the speaker and likewise for the Black – negative connections. The control inside the left chamber allows you to listen to the internal speakers, external speakers or both.
Note: For all of these RCA Jacks on the back, Red is Right Channel and Black is Left.
