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Magnavox Astro Sonic Micromatic Repairs

T

Tophu

New Member
Hi everyone! I wasn't sure if I should post this in this forum, or the DIY forum. The DIY seems more for modding, and I'm more interested in restoring.

First a little about me: I'm living in Southern California, in Newbury Park. I'm a scientist by nature, so have limited skills with engineering or electrical work. I do like very geeky and technical stuff, so I'm not afraid to jump right in and try something new. Now on to the main post:

I have an old Magnavox Astro Sonic Micromatic Stereo/Turntable console which my roommate purchased at a garage sale. It's in working condition so far as I can turn it on, the turntable spins, the radio picks up signal and music comes out of the speakers. However, the tonearm seems to be missing the stylus and needle. I've posted some pictures online in my google album which are available here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/chris.lindvay/Magnavox#

I'd really like to repair this myself rather than take it to a shop, however, if it comes to that point, I'd rather see this restored than making it irrepairably damaged.

Currently, I'm looking at the arm itself, since it seems to be missing something to attach the cartridge/stylus to. If anyone has any advice or suggestions, I will be forever greatful!

Thanks!

Tophu
 
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No help with the what you need exactly. I had a Magnovox console that I gave to my mom. The turntable you have is made by Collaro I believe.

Search for Collaro Tone-arm on 'that auction site'. I saw one that might work but I do not know. I am sure there is someone that will speak up.

Just an added note - is that a Siamese mix? She looks like a Himylaen/Siamese mix - very cute cat. Our Siamese does the SAME thing. As soon as a box is open or anything else she can squeeze her body into and she's there.
 
Thanks for the tip! Aiko is his name...he's a siamese long haired burmese mix. And yes, squeezes into every little nook and cranny. :)
 
Hi Tophu!

Here's the pictures of my cartridge and stylus. Don't mind the dirt and grime on it... it was taken right when I got my console. My tt is a different model and I'm not sure if your cartridge and stylus look the same or not. Hopefully it helps!

Lisa
 

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Does this look familiar?
IM000611.jpg


Every time a waste basket is emptied, she's there.
 
Get the model # off the console itself and go to Garage a record or Needle Doctor. Look up Ceramic Cartridge for that model Magnavox. The Cartridge attaches with a screw thru the top. Get the matching stylus.

You're gonna need some Tonearm wiring too. I believe it's three wires (grnd, left, right).

Take the Turntable off and clean the mechanism with 91% isopropyl and a lot of Q-Tips. Use White Lithium grease sparingly where the old grease was(take pictures as you dis-assemble). Re-assembly is reverse.

The Collaro is funny in that it senses size of the lp by moving the tonearm and touches the edge when cycling. If your used to the tonearm just lifting and setting down on the edge it'll throw you the first couple of times it does this. It's Normal.

I'll get the number of my cartridge in the next day or so. Same style TT.

Larry
 
There's a metal shield/mount that the cartridge sets in. The screw thru the top attaches to the mount.

Cartridge # 560315-1. That's the Magnavox #. Use that # and they will x-ref it on the webpage.

Larry

Went to turntableneedles.com and ranr the Maggie #. Came up with Astatic 461. Has the mount and a stylus.

Looks like you still need wiring. 4 wires. Unless you still have them, then go ahead and use them.

http://www.turntableneedles.com/Astatic-461_p_2251.html

Larry
 
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Thanks Lisa, Fletch and Larry for all your help. :thmbsp: Yeah, Lisa, my tonearm is very different from yours. Is yours made of metal? Mine is a dark black plastic. I was digging around the back of the console and it looks like there was a flimy metal casing piece you may have been talking about Larry. I'll see if it lines up.

There are 4 wires attached already. When I turn the TT on and touch them with my fingers, a buzzing noise comes out, so I think they are still okay to use. I just need to attach them to the arm and cartridge when it comes in. Thanks for all of your help again.

Nice pic Fletch. That's the way Aiko looked before he grew up and got really fuzzy.
 
Sorry I dropped off the face of the planet. I just recieved the cartridge and diamond stylus off of TurntableNeedles.com.

Astatic 461D. It has four connectors for the four wires coming up through the stylus. I'm not sure which go where. There is two sets, with two wires in each set. One set has a grey wire, and the second set has a reddish brown wire. I believe each set is for the left and right channels of the stereo, one wire for the grounds? Does it matter how I set them in?

Also, after closer inspection of the arm, the spring is stretched and useless, so I'm going to purchase another. I've read on some other forums that people have replaced the stylus arm with a new modern one...that doesn't rely on a counter weight. Would this be extremely difficult?

Tophu
 
Don't have mine accessible right now, but do this.

1.) Flip the TT over and look at the wiring on the junction block. 2 of the wires will be attached to a ground(for the sake of arguement lets say BROWN). The other two (again for the sake of arguement GREY)may or may not go to a switch( these are the hot or positive leads) and then to the RCA Jacks.

2.) The BROWN leads are installed on the inner of the 4 cartridge leads.

3.) The GREY leads are installed on the cartridge outer leads.

So if you are looking at the end of the cartridge you see leads as - _ _ - Number them 1 2 3 4. or GREY BROWN BROWN GREY.

As for the Tonearm replacement, find another donor turntable and get the spring. There is an adjustment screw. Counterclockwise on the screw tightens it up to lessen downforce on the cart. Not much but there is some. Remember these Tonearms were designed for Vertical tracking force of 3 to 6 grams. If you replace the arm with a modern one, it still has a counterweight. Even the one you have now has a counterweight. It's a complicated design and if it's NOT a DIRECT EXACT Replacement, I wouldn't do it.

Pm me your address. I have a spring from my parts unit I'll send ya.


Larry
 
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