Hi folks, I was at a thrift store last week and I saw this big abused wooden floor model console sitting there. It was a tube stereo with an FM/AM tuner and a record player.
It had a hinged lid on the top so when you open it and look down you can see the turntable, tuning dial and controlls.
Everything inside looked clean and well taken care of, even had all the little booklets and manuals, including the all important schematic diagram.
Yesturday I went back and it was still there. The outside of the console was ......dinged, scratched and dented.....basically chronically mistreated. Along with the scratches, there with a $9.99 price tag.
I peered inside the back and I saw two bigish bass speakers and two tweeters, with a large long steel chassis hanging vertical.
It worked beautifully when I plugged it. I know, I know!!! It is not kosher to just go "gung ho" and plug the mother in, but I didn't see any melted this or burned out that, so I crossed my fingers and plugged it in. Worked perfect......as I can tell.
I didn't want the heavy awkward not very special wooden cabinet so I asked if I can buy it and leave the wooden housing behind. They said sure. So I borrowed some tools from them and proceeded to spend the next hour in the store pulling the receiver chassis out, speakers, turntable and all the wiring. Even the FM antenna!
Please forgive me people........I know that it was really nice and worh alot of money as a whole, but the reason why I canabalised the unit is because I couldn't take the console part with me, and I knew that in another day or so if it wasn't sold, the whole thing would be uncerimoniously heaved *with a crash and smash* into the huge dumpster behind the thrift store.
I carefully lugged it all home and laid it all out on my kitchen table. Plugged it all in and it still sounds sweet.
I then took the tubes out, washed them with paper towel and 409 type stuff,
used a cloth and the same cleaner and scrubbed the dirty chassis. Everything had this yellow dust residue on it. It all looks clean and bright. I remembered where the tubes went to it all works nice still. The pots are all filthy and scratchy, needs contact cleaner/lube spray.
The chassis is not "Live" ( I tested this with a multimeter later on) so I could leave the top open and show off the tube goodness? Or should I enclose it all? I don't know anything about doing this, I spoke with a fellow in a vintage record game audio store before I saw the thing at the trift store and he didn't have tube audio equipment, but he knew that guys sometimes bought the big consoles and put the receiver etc into a little box.
Interestingly, there are ready to go input output RCA female jacks on the chassis! I plugged my mp3 player in and it sounded real good. It is "good to go".
I will scan the schematic diagram and post it soon, but for now I will tell you what I know:
it is from Nov 1964. It is a Canadian made Electrohome.
It has 8 tubes in it. and one large transformer with two little ones.
The tubes it uses are:
-6GW8 <<<<<two of these
-6C4
-6BL8
-6BE6
-6AL5
-6AU6A
-6BA6
The chassis is 10x12x6"
It has a tuning dial, a piece of glass with a light under it.
The tuning dial makes it 6" tall.
I just need a little help from you guys/gals
My goal here is to make a simple wooden housing and mount it all inside like a normal unit. I will hook it up to nice floor model speakers as apposed to the feeble ones it came with. Nice compact unit I can set aside. I have a cat so I want her protected from the hot tubes and vise versa.
Like a newbie.....a mistaken newbie; I tried to wash this yellow scum off the glass and wiped off most of the markings. I am upset at myself for that, but I will flatbed scan the damaged dial and make a new one by printing out the makings on a transparency. The dial and the whole thing were designed to be looked down on as you opened the console's lid. Being mounted horizontal and on its side the dial makings are on their side too. I will turn lemons into lemonade and when I make the new dial I will rotate all the numbers 90 degrees so I can read them and maybe add some cool Fallout 3 Vault tech graphics to this, or that other company in the game......Radiation King?
It had a hinged lid on the top so when you open it and look down you can see the turntable, tuning dial and controlls.
Everything inside looked clean and well taken care of, even had all the little booklets and manuals, including the all important schematic diagram.
Yesturday I went back and it was still there. The outside of the console was ......dinged, scratched and dented.....basically chronically mistreated. Along with the scratches, there with a $9.99 price tag.
I peered inside the back and I saw two bigish bass speakers and two tweeters, with a large long steel chassis hanging vertical.
It worked beautifully when I plugged it. I know, I know!!! It is not kosher to just go "gung ho" and plug the mother in, but I didn't see any melted this or burned out that, so I crossed my fingers and plugged it in. Worked perfect......as I can tell.
I didn't want the heavy awkward not very special wooden cabinet so I asked if I can buy it and leave the wooden housing behind. They said sure. So I borrowed some tools from them and proceeded to spend the next hour in the store pulling the receiver chassis out, speakers, turntable and all the wiring. Even the FM antenna!
Please forgive me people........I know that it was really nice and worh alot of money as a whole, but the reason why I canabalised the unit is because I couldn't take the console part with me, and I knew that in another day or so if it wasn't sold, the whole thing would be uncerimoniously heaved *with a crash and smash* into the huge dumpster behind the thrift store.
I carefully lugged it all home and laid it all out on my kitchen table. Plugged it all in and it still sounds sweet.
I then took the tubes out, washed them with paper towel and 409 type stuff,
used a cloth and the same cleaner and scrubbed the dirty chassis. Everything had this yellow dust residue on it. It all looks clean and bright. I remembered where the tubes went to it all works nice still. The pots are all filthy and scratchy, needs contact cleaner/lube spray.
The chassis is not "Live" ( I tested this with a multimeter later on) so I could leave the top open and show off the tube goodness? Or should I enclose it all? I don't know anything about doing this, I spoke with a fellow in a vintage record game audio store before I saw the thing at the trift store and he didn't have tube audio equipment, but he knew that guys sometimes bought the big consoles and put the receiver etc into a little box.
Interestingly, there are ready to go input output RCA female jacks on the chassis! I plugged my mp3 player in and it sounded real good. It is "good to go".
I will scan the schematic diagram and post it soon, but for now I will tell you what I know:
it is from Nov 1964. It is a Canadian made Electrohome.
It has 8 tubes in it. and one large transformer with two little ones.
The tubes it uses are:
-6GW8 <<<<<two of these
-6C4
-6BL8
-6BE6
-6AL5
-6AU6A
-6BA6
The chassis is 10x12x6"
It has a tuning dial, a piece of glass with a light under it.
The tuning dial makes it 6" tall.
I just need a little help from you guys/gals
My goal here is to make a simple wooden housing and mount it all inside like a normal unit. I will hook it up to nice floor model speakers as apposed to the feeble ones it came with. Nice compact unit I can set aside. I have a cat so I want her protected from the hot tubes and vise versa.
Like a newbie.....a mistaken newbie; I tried to wash this yellow scum off the glass and wiped off most of the markings. I am upset at myself for that, but I will flatbed scan the damaged dial and make a new one by printing out the makings on a transparency. The dial and the whole thing were designed to be looked down on as you opened the console's lid. Being mounted horizontal and on its side the dial makings are on their side too. I will turn lemons into lemonade and when I make the new dial I will rotate all the numbers 90 degrees so I can read them and maybe add some cool Fallout 3 Vault tech graphics to this, or that other company in the game......Radiation King?
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Pictures?
What you have is a single ended ECL86/6GW8 amplifier. Can be quite nice. Over time you can replace caps, some Rs and get it sounding better. The rectifiers (no rectifier tube, so assume SS) will need changing if they are selenium, and if a half-wave rectifier you'll want to put in a full bridge (UF4007 x 2 or 4).
I usually don't bother with the tuners in these, but the transformers aren't all that bad.
Don't fret over leaving the cabinet behind. I've burned many of these... probably over 100 if the number of used ECC85s i have is any indication.
dave
What you have is a single ended ECL86/6GW8 amplifier. Can be quite nice. Over time you can replace caps, some Rs and get it sounding better. The rectifiers (no rectifier tube, so assume SS) will need changing if they are selenium, and if a half-wave rectifier you'll want to put in a full bridge (UF4007 x 2 or 4).
I usually don't bother with the tuners in these, but the transformers aren't all that bad.
Don't fret over leaving the cabinet behind. I've burned many of these... probably over 100 if the number of used ECC85s i have is any indication.
dave
The tube complement is unimpressive and suggests a bottom of the line product, sorry. Sight unseen, the TT is a record destroyer.
That unit is LOW power single ended (SE). VERY efficient speakers are in order.
By all means, scan the schematics and upload them. The "crowd" will help you squeeze every last drop out.
That unit is LOW power single ended (SE). VERY efficient speakers are in order.
By all means, scan the schematics and upload them. The "crowd" will help you squeeze every last drop out.
Dave,
Sadly, the tuner is guano, but it may be possible to use the power trafo's comparative heft to advantage. 6GW8s are scarce. Perhaps reconfiguring the amp/PSU section to use a 12AX7 and 2X 6BQ5s would be appropriate.
Sadly, the tuner is guano, but it may be possible to use the power trafo's comparative heft to advantage. 6GW8s are scarce. Perhaps reconfiguring the amp/PSU section to use a 12AX7 and 2X 6BQ5s would be appropriate.
I'll take a pic of the top of the chassis, the underside and scan the schematic diagram. I will have it out to you soon. For now I will read some stuff from booklet that came with it.
Phonola AM/FM Stereo console:
audio power 10 watts peak music power.
Dual silicon rectifiers
in the booklet, there are specs for two models:
a "Multiplex" model and a "Non-Multiplex" model.
The Non-Multiplex has only 8 tubes while the Multiplex has 10.
What I got is NOT low end junk, but it was only $10 too. I can't complain.
I figure I can use it with some nice speakers or headphones. The speakers that came with it were lackluster.
Phonola AM/FM Stereo console:
audio power 10 watts peak music power.
Dual silicon rectifiers
in the booklet, there are specs for two models:
a "Multiplex" model and a "Non-Multiplex" model.
The Non-Multiplex has only 8 tubes while the Multiplex has 10.
What I got is NOT low end junk, but it was only $10 too. I can't complain.
I figure I can use it with some nice speakers or headphones. The speakers that came with it were lackluster.
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People keep saying that about ECL86, i've got at least 20 of them (likely at least a pr of them from the same amp). Good chanve the ones here are Philips (Civic, do they have a set of 3 symbol codes near the base of the tube?)
If i was going to rebuild with EL84/6BQ5 i'd do an RH84 (ECC81+EL84)
Post pics of the speakers too. You may have gotten lucky.
dave
Good idea, I knew that I prolly wouldn't be using the stock speakers with the reciever, but all I had to do was remove some screws from inside the console and the speakers came out attached to the board with the grill cloth on it, nice and neat. So off I went with a box crammed with goodies.
Friendly people stopped and looked in my box and cheerfully asked me what I was building.
About the tuner; it sounds fine, it picks up FM band reallly well. The sound is chrisp and clear.
Surprising since I simply draped the diapole FM antenna on my kitchen table! Lol.
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My first DIY system (when 16yrs old) was based on some very similar components salvaged from a Magnavox console. The tuner was not bad sounding at all, had acceptable RF performance for the location, and was stereo (once I figured out how to realign the mpx decoder). The amplifier was SE with a pair of 6BQ5 and a single 12AX7A. The power supply on the amp was fried so I electrically separated the two units, built a separate supply for the tuner/pre, and replaced the power transformer in the amplifier. These units were probably the very thing that got me hooked on tubes - unfortunately replaced within a couple of years with all solid state stuff, I spent decades trying to recapture that elusive sound and ultimately ended right back with SE amplifiers. Now quite a bit fancier of course. 😀
The woofers in a proper open back cabinet are probably ok, might even have alnico magnets, the tweeters probably aren't so hot - in any event the rudimentary cross-over used would certainly need a new cap at this point. An inexpensive pair of no name bullet (annular ring horn) tweeters from eBay should have sufficient efficiency and would probably represent a large improvement - worth playing with IMO..
The woofers in a proper open back cabinet are probably ok, might even have alnico magnets, the tweeters probably aren't so hot - in any event the rudimentary cross-over used would certainly need a new cap at this point. An inexpensive pair of no name bullet (annular ring horn) tweeters from eBay should have sufficient efficiency and would probably represent a large improvement - worth playing with IMO..
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I notice that when I power it on, the 6AL5 glows white for a split second, then dims down the the normal low orange glow.
Ummmm OK?
Ummmm OK?
I would I be able to do that?
Also folks, I just got back from the hardware store with some fresh new 1/2 inch plywood. Yipeeeeeeee! I am just designing a new wooden enclusure for it. I hope it doesn't burn, because I thought that it needed a large open space because it was originally inside a large console.
Ah yes, my first system was built from a mono Stromberg-Carlson system. Then I picked up a stereo console, for helping someone move and doing some handyman stuff. That one had a Harmon Kardon integrated amp, a Garrard changer and JBL FR speakers! When I moved from my parents, I stripped the console and picked up a better turntable.
I still have all those, plus a pair of Ampex PP6v6 amps and a Magnavox pre and power amp (another PP6v6) also stripped from a console.
I am still using the Magnavox, out in my auto shop.
Great stuff can be found in those. Nobody wants the consoles anymore. Especially the ones with the old record changers. Unless it is something exceptionally nice, then I would not hesitate to strip it, without remorse.
Great deal. Have fun with it 🙂
lol - I've burnt around 20 of these boxes myself. So far I have only salvaged one but even that was in pieces. It was blonde oak though - SOLID!!!!!! The timber awaits a suitable project...
Heaps of fun to be had in optimising the circuit.
Heaps of fun to be had in optimising the circuit.
Lighter
It's called a "lighter". Some tubes were known for that bright flash from the heater at start up. Doesn't hurt a thing. Properly used it can scare the crap out of your SS friends. An example: turn it on when you have their faces really close to the lighter.
Have fun! It's a first foray. Don't spend too much money, but enjoy it for what it is, a learning experience. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds. Do not use the engraver turntable.
Stuart
It's called a "lighter". Some tubes were known for that bright flash from the heater at start up. Doesn't hurt a thing. Properly used it can scare the crap out of your SS friends. An example: turn it on when you have their faces really close to the lighter.
Have fun! It's a first foray. Don't spend too much money, but enjoy it for what it is, a learning experience. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds. Do not use the engraver turntable.
Stuart
Hahahaha! OK I won't use the turn table, I took it because I had no reason to leave it behind, it was mine after all. But thanks for telling me.
My friend, who is experienced in fine woodworking is going to help me design and build the case for the chassis. I am relieved that he is going to help me.
I know very little, and it might have come out looking like crap if he hadn't stepped in and saved my bacon.
I know very little, and it might have come out looking like crap if he hadn't stepped in and saved my bacon.
Maybe include some clear panels for viewing the tubes? Not just aesthetically pleasing, could help diagnose a problem (Dude, no sound from the right speaker!)
I have one of a similar design console using 6GW8/ECL86's.
I stripped it down to just the audio section and PSU, replaced the bypass capacitors and tweaked a few resistor values and it sounded really good. Only low power (about 2W), so it needs very efficient speakers.
Unfortunately, I had left it on the edge of the table and it fell off and crushed the tubes (there's a vote for a cage over the tubes), so I rebuilt it using a 6N3P and two EL84/6BQ5 tubes. More power (probably 4W now) and sounds even better.
Gary
I stripped it down to just the audio section and PSU, replaced the bypass capacitors and tweaked a few resistor values and it sounded really good. Only low power (about 2W), so it needs very efficient speakers.
Unfortunately, I had left it on the edge of the table and it fell off and crushed the tubes (there's a vote for a cage over the tubes), so I rebuilt it using a 6N3P and two EL84/6BQ5 tubes. More power (probably 4W now) and sounds even better.
Gary
Wow. Here's another story for you, from my "younger" youth.
When I was like eighteen I was driving around with my Dad for my driver's license in our neighborhood, and what do I notice on the right side of the road? A medium sized console radio, just like you described. At this time I was just starting to appreciate tubes and HI FI. (well what used to be hifi in the seventies, I used to go through the 1969 and 1970 Stereo Review buyer's guide every day for fun, not even realizing that I couldn't buy the stuff anymore).
So anyway, I slow down next to the console and ask my Dad, oh please can we pick it up? I knew he wasn't too happy about taking home a big thing like that, he knew it would just be lying around in the basement doing nothing, but he accepted. But, the catch was: I was going to have to put it in the trunk myself. No help from him. Yeah. I ain't exactly built like a macho dude, but managed anyway. I guess his point was he wanted to see how much I really wanted the darn thing! Well after five minutes of careful lifting and trunk lid strapping, I got it in. (we had a Buick park avenue at the time).
Got home, needless to say I dd just like you civicprotection, I didn't bother to measure anything or look inside, I hauled that baby out of the truck onto the garage floor on that bright summer day, plugged her in and turned the switch!
I remember tuning to oldies 1310, and hearing the temptations, it was sooo fitting... I think it was the closest I ever got to feeling what it must have been to be cool in the sixties...
It did sound good.
Sadly, my Dad said, listen we're not going to keep this around, so take the electronics and junk the wood.
I still have the chassis and some tubes. It was a Marconi, probably made in Montreal or Toronto. 50C5 output tubes with little teeny output transfomers, each driving an 8 inch full range speaker.
chain chain chain...
When I was like eighteen I was driving around with my Dad for my driver's license in our neighborhood, and what do I notice on the right side of the road? A medium sized console radio, just like you described. At this time I was just starting to appreciate tubes and HI FI. (well what used to be hifi in the seventies, I used to go through the 1969 and 1970 Stereo Review buyer's guide every day for fun, not even realizing that I couldn't buy the stuff anymore).
So anyway, I slow down next to the console and ask my Dad, oh please can we pick it up? I knew he wasn't too happy about taking home a big thing like that, he knew it would just be lying around in the basement doing nothing, but he accepted. But, the catch was: I was going to have to put it in the trunk myself. No help from him. Yeah. I ain't exactly built like a macho dude, but managed anyway. I guess his point was he wanted to see how much I really wanted the darn thing! Well after five minutes of careful lifting and trunk lid strapping, I got it in. (we had a Buick park avenue at the time).
Got home, needless to say I dd just like you civicprotection, I didn't bother to measure anything or look inside, I hauled that baby out of the truck onto the garage floor on that bright summer day, plugged her in and turned the switch!
I remember tuning to oldies 1310, and hearing the temptations, it was sooo fitting... I think it was the closest I ever got to feeling what it must have been to be cool in the sixties...
It did sound good.
Sadly, my Dad said, listen we're not going to keep this around, so take the electronics and junk the wood.
I still have the chassis and some tubes. It was a Marconi, probably made in Montreal or Toronto. 50C5 output tubes with little teeny output transfomers, each driving an 8 inch full range speaker.
chain chain chain...
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