• WARNING: Tube/Valve amplifiers use potentially LETHAL HIGH VOLTAGES.
    Building, troubleshooting and testing of these amplifiers should only be
    performed by someone who is thoroughly familiar with
    the safety precautions around high voltages.

Trying to identify/find documentation on a 50EH5 amp

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Hi all,

I'm new to the site and the hobby and I could use a little help. I've tinkered around with tube type Ham and Shortwave gear off and on for a couple of years, but this is my first attempt at audiophile gear.

I just purchased my first little amp. I got it off eBay for $25 shipped. it even came with the original speakers.

All I know for sure is that it is a Magnavox phono amp using 2 50EH5's and a 12AX7. Aside from the numbers printed on the chassis that you can see in thee pics, the following is stamped on top 636275- 4.

It came with a block diagram but no schematic. On the diagrams lower right corner is: EL 1484-1. I have searched the internet using all these numbers and found nothing. Does anybody have or know where I can get a schematic for this.

It works but of course needs to be recapped (has nasty hum) and I'm trying to avoid having to figure out all the components and hand writing a schematic myself if possible.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Rob

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
 
Administrator
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Hi Rob,
Welcome to DiyAudio!

You can also look for those phonograph schematics, they should be close. One of the RCA tube manuals should also have a circuit that is close to yours.

Lose the ceramic caps straight off. It will sound better with a different type in there. All coupling caps need to be replaced as well.

-Chris
 
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Dangerous Amplifier Design

:hot: :hot: :hot:

Something else needs to be mentioned immediately, and that is the lack of a power transformer to provide isolation from the power line.

Before you even think about plugging this thing in get yourself an inexpensive isolation transformer on eBay. A 100Va rating should be just sufficient.

Do anything else and you may end up electrocuting yourself or someone close to you.

:hot: :hot: :hot:

We want to keep you around and healthy, that's how our hobby grows!
 
YES!!!!!! the popular HOT CHASSIS design has one side of the line cord tied directly to the chassis, usually with a non-polarized plug:bigeyes: . if you use grounded test equipment or connect the device to a preamp, etc... that has a grounded chassis, you will pop a breaker. if you touch the chassis you can get KILLED!!!!!:dead: you MUST use an isolation transformer with this device. if it has a non-polarized plug, you have a 50-50 chance of plugging it in correctly with the chassis connected to the outlet neutral. even if it has a polarized plug, many outlets have been known to be wired backwards. :bigeyes: :redhot:
 
frugal-phile™
Joined 2001
Paid Member
Welcome to the club/

http://www.t-linespeakers.org/tubes/SEP_50EH5.html

5B_fr_size.jpg


dave
 
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Hi Rob,
Carbon composition types are only good in RF work. This includes grid stoppers. I like to use metal oxide types in most places and metal films in the input signal path, and feedback network. Both are easily available from the bigger supply houses.

-Chris
 
frugal-phile™
Joined 2001
Paid Member
anatech said:
Carbon composition types are only good in RF work. This includes grid stoppers. I like to use metal oxide types in most places and metal films in the input signal path, and feedback network. Both are easily available from the bigger supply houses.

In my 1st build i used whatever i had around -- one of the goals was to buy as few parts as possible.

In my next one i'll use Solen PS caps & pay a bit more attention to other parts as well.

Note that my build used no feedback (except degeneration).

dave
 
i've been bit a few times by HC equipment, as well as the hot baskets of electromagnet speakers on antique radios...... not fun..... even had one time when i was a teenager where i hooked up the UHF tuner in one TV (which had bad IF's) to another TV yhat had no UHF, but had the 47Mhz plug for a UHF tuner. popped the line fuse in the basement as soon as i turned the second one on, twice. i then realized that both TV's were HC, and i had one of the plugs reversed. yes, when i was young, i got blamed for every blown fuse, even if i didn't do it...... later after i moved away from home, my folks got breakers installed.......
 
Magnavox 50EH5

i have one of these and have also been looking for a schematic and information on rebuilding. It was in a Magnavox Micromatic record player I bought for $10 at a flea market. Mine hums too but does play. I am also aware of the need for the isolation transformer but i really have no idea what to do with mine--I have never rebuilt an amp before. I would love to see a photo documentation of your rebuild.

Than
 
Hey did a schematic for this Magnavox circuit ever turn up? I'm rebuilding one and the values of the can caps have all been torn off the paper exterior. If anyone has information about what value those thre caps should be, I'd love to hear it!

Many thanks!
 
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