GE receiver donor to Westinghouse?

[Firedome]

About 6 mos ago I pulled a small BOL GE console off the street from a CL Curb Alert ad. Really cheesy cabinet in poor shape, with a small record player (can anyone ID it?) so I pulled it's minimalist SE amp and now plan to install it in an equally small BOL Westinghouse console from my late Uncle's attic that's missing it's own "guts". I'd seen that missing part some years ago and it was very similar in size and configuraton, but hasn't come to light, so I figure to try to adapt the GE to the Westy cabinet that I hope to bring home later in the week. Here's a pic of the GE as found, and it's removed little amp that I'd like to put into the very similar but far nicer condition little Westy. That cabinet still has it's smallish RP and just one 6" speaker on each side. Basicallly a nice portable record player in a console suit.

[Firedome]

Here's the GE amp, basically a portable record player-quality amp.

[Firedome]

another pic - weird free-floating multicap, that's how it was in the GE, not even attached to the cabinet!

[Firedome]

the big tube line-up: 12ax7, 6aq5, 6aq5, 6ca4.
Maybe 5 SE watts a side?

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

A small record player (can anyone ID it?)

How about a complete photo of that record changer ?
Can't tell from your partial photo.

[hermitcrab]

I have the same set, I believe the model is RC-3100... has a VM changer , just 5 watts per channel... that cap looks like it was changed at some point ... the original was a cardboard cap..should have had a strap on it to secure it to the chassis , at least mine was that way...

[Firedome]

Don't have that GE anymore, only the amp, so no more pics to share of the TT.
Will post pics of the Westy when I get it home. As you can see by the amp pics, the GE was very modest and basically a stretched portable on legs, and the Westy is about the same... however it does proudly state "Stereophonic High Fidelity" in several prominent locations... all righty then!

[hermitcrab]

Back in the day GE was the parent company of RCA and Westinghouse , I think they spun off in the early 30's ... funny how some parts look like they still could be interchangeable between the models.... I know the early radios of these companies shared chassis and parts ... kinda like automakers ....I have a 1930 GE console radio... the chassis is the same as the RCA R7 table radio....

[electra225]

I have that same chassis in a GE Trimline stereo. It is a surprisingly good performer. It's no Magnavox, but that's not it's price point. I also have a couple stereos with a similar chassis to that one, only it uses a 5Y3, 12AX7 and SE 7189 output. The Achilles' Heel on those chassis is the printed circuit board typically takes a lot of heat and is typically found pretty well baked. The good news is they can be hard-wired with bell wire. I have done this to a couple with good results. The changer is a VM 1200 series. I'd say go for the swap. You might be surprised how good it might sound. 8" speakers are typically what those amps used.

[William]

I find it interesting that it is PT powered, as most inexpensive units do not have PT's. Did you keep the VM 1200? Those are excellent changers and are easy to rebuild.

Bill

[Firedome]

I did bring the Westy home yesterday, it has a VM tt and full range 6" speakers one to each side. Pics to come. Hoping the missing tuner/amp section shows up. 4 knob amp/preamp section and 2 round dials for the tuner.

hermit - just last week I unearthed an RCA R7 from mylate uncles, really nice original shape but unrestored. Up for offers for anyone who wants one, eMail direct.

bill - yes not a hot chassis either, those I like to stay away from.

It seems there were quite a few low-end consoles with similar amps, luckily the pcb looks goo, no signs of excessive heat.
7189 being a 6BQ5 on steroids would be strong compared to SE 6AQ5s!

Had a great visit from our own MotorolaMinion Dave yesterday, we always have fun talking audio/TV and I always learn something new! He brought me part of the Zenith Rhapsody (rest is coming) and a '61 RCA CTC-11!

[hermitcrab]

Don't need anymore radios ... I still have to get to the cast iron crosley cathedral radio I got from bill... first radio I ever saw made out of cast iron..and weighs like it ... makes a great door stop though.....

[William]

I forgot all about that radio Elton, I hope you find time to get it up and playing and will share that here on the forum.

Bill