Magnavox console TV/Hi-Fi

[Jeffhs]

Retrohacker:

That loud CRACK! you heard may well have been a high-voltage arc from around the CRT, or elsewhere in the HV system. I have seen these arcs (in tube-type sets; never had much or really any experience with SS to date) and they usually mean either poor connections at the CRT second-anode connector or sharp points on solder connections around the flyback, etc. It could also be defective capacitors, as several members have mentioned here. I'd check the HV cage first. In any event, I would definitely not operate the set any length of time until the problem has been identified and corrected; otherwise, you could, likely will, have a monster of a repair job (not to mention expensive if you have to replace something like the flyback or CRT).

Your console is a good set, as were most 1950s-'60s Maggies (until Philips stepped in and wrecked Magnavox's reputation with a sledgehammer, as Thomson did with RCA and LG/GoldStar did with Zenith in the late 1980s). I've seen several of those big Maggie consoles and like them a lot; wouldn't mind having one, but I don't have the room for anything that big. I have an entertainment system, but it is individual components (19" TV, DVD, VCR, cable box) set into an oak utility cart. No matter. It all works great and takes up little room in my apartment (it fits nicely in a corner, with the audio system next to my computer and its speakers on stands), so I'm not complaining.

Back on topic, I'm sure once you get your Maggie three-way console working as it should, you will have an entertainment system you can be proud of (those cabinets were beautiful pieces of furniture as well). I'd replace all doubtful caps, clean the controls and switches well, and above all else make sure there are no sharp points in the HV cage or elsewhere in the set where high voltage (B+ as well as the CRT's own HV supply) can arc to ground. In tube-powered sets this can damage the flyback or CRT, as I mentioned above; in a solid-state chassis the damage from HV or B+ arcs can be much worse.

Get that stereo chassis working as it should and you'll enjoy it as well. The older Magnavox stereo consoles (AstroSonic and the earlier tube models) sounded great and should be preserved whenever possible, as they don't make them like that anymore.

Good for you that you have several old Magnavox record changers you can use to replace the one in your console. The only thing I'd be wary of would be the age of the changer; if it's more than 25 or so years old, you could have problems down the road with things such as mechanical failures or even cartridge troubles. I would try to find a good used changer, not more than 10 or 15 years old at most. Unless you are well versed in repairing mechanical linkages and other things found in older changers or can find a repair shop that will even look at the beast (many if not most TV/stereo repair shops these days have technicians who, having been trained on and grown up with CD changers and cassette decks, don't know what a phonograph or a record changer is, let alone how to repair one), a used unit would be your best bet, IMO. If your Magnavox changers are in decent shape and are known to work well, I'd go ahead and drop one in your console, of course. No need to go searching all over town (or on ebay, etc.) for an NOS changer if you have several used units just begging to be put back into service.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

[Jeffhs]

I looked at one of the pics of this set (the front of the TV) just a few moments before writing this. I hate to tell you this, but it looks, to me anyhow, as if the CRT will either need replacement or cataract surgery. The screen looks awful. Does the set still have a raster or a picture? If it does, with the tube in that condition, I'd be surprised--especially since one of the thumbnails shows the high-voltage lead from the cage not even connected to the CRT. Are you planning to replace the tube anyway while you have the chassis out for recapping?

Good luck. Those older Maggie stereo three-way entertainment units are great when they are working as they should. The cabinets look great as well. I've seen several Mag three-way consoles from the late '60s and '70s, and IMO they are stunning as far as cabinetry goes. The total remote control used in some of the fancy-dancy models is good from a convenience standpoint, but it was probably (even likely) a technician's nightmare to repair when anything eventually went wrong. All those linkages, gears, springs, motors . . . I think most people just let it go when things started going haywire once the warranty expired. The modern remote control systems are much better, being solid-state and all-electronic with no motors or linkages to be seen (for channel selection, anyhow). I don't think they even make big 3-way entertainment units anymore. If you want one nowadays, you have to make it yourself from individual components set into an entertainment center cabinet or cart, as I did with my units (all but the stereo, which is next to my computer; the speakers are on stands at either end of my desk).

[Charlie]

Those cataracts aren't so bad... we've seen far worse here. That won't make any difference in how the tube performs electronically. Simply needs the safety glass removed and the glue cleaned out. It sounds like a big job, but usually turns out to be much easier than one would think. Most important thing is to use common sense and take simple safety precautions such as safety goggles.