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Mini Maggie Console

TheRed1

TheRed1

Console Conservationist
Finally a console I can carry by myself. Figured I couldn't go wrong for $5. And it works! But I can't find any obvious model name or number. It's either a tiny console or a huge table radio - about 2' long and 10" tall and deep. I've been searching for information for the last hour or so and haven't found anything yet. Interesting assortment of tubes: 5Y3 rectifier, 6AQ5A output, pair of 6U8As, pair of 6BA6s, 6CY5, 6BE6, CBZ6, 6AL5, a dead 6E5 magic eye, and one mystery tube which I believe is in a power output socket, a Magnavox labeled 5748.

There are inputs for TAPE and PHONO on the back. And as you can see by the single, pitiful output transformer; it's mono. It's also not very loud and I wonder if that 5748 is the correct tube or if that socket shouldn't contain another 6AQ5A.

Can anyone tell me anything about this little guy?

Magnavox2.jpg

Magnavox5.jpg
 
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6E5, if memory serves, is one you can still get cheap NOS from, e.g., www.tubesandmore.com

EDIT: OK, not one of the inexpensive ones, but at least still available. Some of the small Magic Eye tubes are outrageous.
 
That is a fine piece of gear. It will forever be a classic. Make it like new again, just because you can. Sweet.
 
TheRed1 said:
one mystery tube which I believe is in a power output socket, a Magnavox labeled 5748.

There are inputs for TAPE and PHONO on the back. And as you can see by the single, pitiful output transformer; it's mono. It's also not very loud and I wonder if that 5748 is the correct tube or if that socket shouldn't contain another 6AQ5A.
Click to expand...

"5748" is likely the date code, meaning it was made in the 48th week of 1957. That date would be consistent with the looks of that console/radio, and also the fact that FM stereo didn't happen 'til 1961.

Magnavox consoles usually had highly regarded audio amps, and this set's audio amp may share in that, even though the output transformer looks kinda small. Probably only a few watts, but it could be some good sounding watts. And it not having a hot chassis would make it easy to attach an external speaker instead of its internal speaker.

It would likely need any and all wax paper caps replaced, as normal restoration work. They all absorb moisture from the air, and thus all are leaky and thus all are bad by now.
 
wa2ise said:
"5748" is likely the date code, meaning it was made in the 48th week of 1957. That date would be consistent with the looks of that console/radio, and also the fact that FM stereo didn't happen 'til 1961.
Click to expand...
A date code seems like a good possibility - at least I'm hoping that's what that is. Because there doesn't seem to be a good source for 5748 tubes or even any information on them out there. I'll just assume that it's the other 6AQ5A in a push-pull configuration. The labeled 6AQ5A is a Wards "Airline" brand with a date code of 6243 which sounds about right as it does look newer than the 5748.
And it not having a hot chassis would make it easy to attach an external speaker instead of its internal speaker.
Click to expand...
It's already set up for external speakers and it even has a punch out port labeled "phono motor" for some sort of connector probably to control power to a phonograph when the selector is set to phono.
Magnavox8.jpg
 
If it's push/pull, you can easily tell by looking at the output transformer. If the primary has 3 taps, two of which are connected to each tube socket, it's push/pull, in which case someone substituted a 6AQ5 tube. Isn't there a tube guide pasted somewhere in the cabinet?
 
I think it may be called the Magnavox Consolette. Have you tried the Yahoo group called Magnavox Friends? Might be some info there...
 
cademan said:
If it's push/pull, you can easily tell by looking at the output transformer. If the primary has 3 taps, two of which are connected to each tube socket, it's push/pull, in which case someone substituted a 6AQ5 tube. Isn't there a tube guide pasted somewhere in the cabinet?
Click to expand...
No tube layout diagram; the chassis is unlabeled as far as sockets go; no model number that I can find, and no model name...it just says MAGNAVOX on the dial glass. The only numbers on the chassis are on the variable capacitor housing: 51 04 AA/7 42 2 (in ink) and 635771-2 (engraved) - and on the shielding over the RF circuit: 635766-2 (engraved). None of those strike me as model numbers.

The lettering on the black portion of the front panel is pretty much worn off but you can still make out, faintly, the function of each knob. I've looked at it in every angle and intensity of light, and cannot make out even the hint of a model name or number. I don't believe it's a "Consolette" which, of the ones I've seen, appear to be much bigger and usually with phonographs. I'm sure this was marketed as a table radio, just a very large one. (It certainly won't fit on my bedside tables.)

The transformer appears to have 5 wires coming from it. But I can't see where the wires go. They should be popping out somewhere near the large silver cap that is horizontal on the right side of the close-up. I'll have to pull it apart again to see if I can get a bead on them. It's a bit messy under the hood of a Magnavox as compared to the Fishers I've seen. And the circuit board surprised me - when did those first start appearing?
Magnavox7.jpg

Magnavox9.jpg
 
Looks like a push-pull audio output circuit. So the two output tubes should be the same kind. Odds are, if they look the same (looking thru the glass the internal guts should look similar), then they probably are. See if the known 6AQ5 has a date code marking that looks like the "5748".

You'll need to replace the wax paper caps.
 
5104AA is a typical Maggie model number. I'm out of town, using my wife's laptop so I don't have a Sam's index handy. But remind me in a week... I'll look it up.
 
Just by looking at the 7 pin sockets in the corner where the 220ohm resistors are and the pink cathode bypass cap is, it is a pushpull amp. You should have two 6aq5's. Any way to test them? Also, on a push pull amp if your coupling caps are leaking your gonna have problems. Filter cans pose a particular problem- large lack of voltage on the plates. What is your B+ voltage off of the red cloth covered wire on one of the 6aq5's? Also, the fact that you have a red wire going to one socket and a blue one to the other means its definatly push pull.

Love the look!! Small size, 10 watts of power, AM and FM.... KLH clone anyone????
 
Heard back today from a Magnavox console guy I contacted online and he confirmed that the model number is 51 04 AA and that there is a SAMS Photofact for it from 1959. He says he's never seen this model but has seen the dial in some other application. His theory is that this chassis was rigged into this cabinet but to me it looks like a factory job. Everything fits together too well and looks planned out. The speakers are Magnavox and I believe someone repainted the face panel black which is why the knob functions are almost illegible. Today I noticed the civil defense station markers for the first time. (My 1963 Dart's AM radio had a preset button for the end of the world.)

MaggieSpeakers.jpg


SelectorKnob.jpg
 
black definitely does not look correct on there. I'll bet if you pull a knob and chip the paint a little, you'll find that its gold under there.
 
Thespeakerdude8 said:
What is your B+ voltage off of the red cloth covered wire on one of the 6aq5's?
Click to expand...
250 Volts.

I just tested the tape input and the volume level was about what you'd expect for a table radio of this vintage and probably EQed for a signal directly off the tape head. However, when flipping the selector switch I was startled by a very loud voice on AM: it was a preacher shouting about the end of the world. (I must have tuned it to one of the old Civil Defense frequencies by accident. :D) Turns out the amp section is plenty loud after all, at least on AM. The AM reception is outstanding given that it's in the basement of an aluminum-sided house with only the built-in antenna.

Now I can listen to WKDL in the house!
 
I received a set of schematics for Magnavox chassis 51-01, 51-02, 51-04, 51-07, 51-09 and 51-11. Seems this chassis was used in a bunch of different configurations. My chassis (51-04) omits the phono motor power plug, an AC accessory plug and a speaker selector switch. But it's the only one with the tuning eye.

MagnavoxConsole1.jpg


I still don't know the model name of my table radio or the name of this attractive console that shares the same basic chassis (which in this application is viewed from the side and thus has a rather awkward looking control knob arrangement IMO). The extra knob to the right of the dial must be the speaker selector switch. This console was available in 1958, probably introduced in '57 - the schematics are from '59. Later in 1958 Magnavox introduced a stereo Magnasonic console in what appears to be this same cabinet with the addition of an external speaker. I think it's likely this console with the 51-0x chassis was a Magnasonic. Perhaps my table radio was a Magnasonic, too. I'd be curious to know what chassis came in the Magnasonic Special Stereo and if it was based on the 51-0x chassis.

Feb. '58.
MagnavoxFeb58.jpg


Jun. '58
MagnasonicJun58.jpg
 
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