View Full Version : Newcomb stereo classroom record player from 1980


radiotvnut
09-02-2015, 03:36 PM
Here's a Newcomb EDT-S50 stereo classroom record player from 1980 that I recently obtained. I don't know exactly when Newcomb folded; but, this was made towards the end.

This is one of the nicer stereo models with a light tracking (4 grams) Tetrad cartridge (I could make it lighter, if I needed to) and tape output jack. It works and sounds decent; but, it will need the usual mechanical overhaul and there is a slight 120 cycle hum in the left channel. So, some capacitors will need to be replaced.

Looking inside, it's well built and uses Mallory electrolytic capacitors. I'm impressed that Newcomb didn't skimp much on quality, even at the end. The only thing about these that I really don't like is the cheap plastic tonearm lock that always seems to be broken (probably from people pulling it too far back in order to release the tonearm).

Eventually, this will get a full restoration. I have stereo classroom record players by Califone and Audiotronics; but, this Newcomb is the overall best one.

Now, I need to find one of the VM stereo classroom record players, as well as one of the orange Newcomb "T-series" solid state squaredance record players from the mid-to-late '70's.

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341/radiotvnut/Newcomb%20001_zpsclrptwkn.jpg (http://s538.photobucket.com/user/radiotvnut/media/Newcomb%20001_zpsclrptwkn.jpg.html)

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341/radiotvnut/Newcomb%20003_zpsbiuiiwiu.jpg (http://s538.photobucket.com/user/radiotvnut/media/Newcomb%20003_zpsbiuiiwiu.jpg.html)

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341/radiotvnut/Newcomb%20002_zpsmlj1ax9c.jpg (http://s538.photobucket.com/user/radiotvnut/media/Newcomb%20002_zpsmlj1ax9c.jpg.html)

KentTeffeteller
09-03-2015, 09:20 AM
P.S. An observation of mine. The Square Dance/Folk Dance market was as a rule far less lowest bidder. These type people tended to be better about how they cared for equipment than the school crowd. And they were willing to pay for quality as well. Hilton Electronics, and Newcomb's highest end models were the gold standard for this market, and Califone early on was a player in this market and a major brand up to the Rheem buyout. Hilton had more powerful amplifiers, and JBL speaker drivers in their systems and often had better than average turntables for this class. They were as much portable PA system as ruggedized institutional phonograph. The last Newcomb design was gunning straight for Hilton territory to this market.

radiotvnut
09-03-2015, 04:42 PM
I've seen those Hilton models on ebay and they always go for a bunch of money. Years ago, I had a Benjamin solid state squaredance record player that was fitted with a Lenco turntable and magnetic cartridge. Bogen also had models that were fitted with Lenco turntables.

JBL GUY
09-03-2015, 06:44 PM
Very nice, thank you for the information and pictures.

KentTeffeteller
10-24-2015, 10:48 PM
If Bogen had been smart and marketed the Lencos correctly, they would have dominated in the Square Dance, Folk Dance, and Dance Studio market and with mobile DJ and PA applications. The Lenco turntables and tonearms were superb quality and even usable for light duty broadcast work. I own an L 70 which was under Presto/Bogen livery. It is a seriously heavy duty, precision, high performance turntable. I have high respect for what Lenco achieved. Good enough even for many audiophiles plinthed correctly.

slatton86
12-05-2015, 08:12 PM
The first electronic I ever fixed on the spot in public! 4th grade I think, it was the fuse on the transformer, and I just happen to have a few fuses in my back pack. Thinking back I am not even sure if I checked ratings, but it was still working when I left elementary school.