2 Maggie finds nearby - help w/ ID?

[Firedome]

These Maggies are relatively close and fairly reasonably priced, can anyone let me know the approx year, type of amp used, and model if possible?

Candidate #1 Pics

[Firedome]

#2 only 2 pics were posted, not much help but figured the rp pic would be useful...

[electra225]

I would say the first one is a 1960 Symphony. The other may be a later Astro-Sonic model.

[Firedome]

Thanks for that info... so what amp and speakers would likely be in a '60 Symphony?
If I get it I may have to learn the art of stacking, but it's tempting.

[electra225]

AMP 175, I think. It should also have the eight speaker complement like the 1961 models that had the 93 series amp.

[William]

Isn't another way to tell is by what changer is in it? The first has the Conquest, the second, the Imperial Micromatic? I can't remember, Greg. What changer does your Symphony have? Mine has the Imperial changer.

Bill

[Firedome]

What were the specs for the 175 amp? I really don't know much about various Magnavox models and innards... I'm learning.
There's no pic gallery of models, brochures, info etc like there was on the old site. Where did a Symphony stand in the pecking order?
Would an Imperial changer be specific to tube models only, or is it also found on Astro Sonics?
The reason I ask is the #2nd console pictured is FREE, but is a good distance away, about 2 hr each way.

[William]

The first Maggie is a six knobber so it should have the 200 series tuner. The changer is a Conquest, the tone arm gives that away. The second Maggie has the Imperial, or, MIcromatic changer depending on what they put it in. And, again the tone arm gives that away. Without seeing the controls, it's hard to say exactly what the second one is, but my guess is like Greg's. iIt's probably an Astro-sonic, and, it would be in the lower half of the Maggie pecking order. Not that that is a bad thing.

In the pecking order of Symphony, I would say it's in the middle. There are several models below it, and, several models above it. In the Maggie brochures for 1961 the sold for $398.00-425.00 depending on the cabinet. As far as the 175 amp, I'm not really the amp guy. But, I think, it's 6V6PP, and not bi-amped.

Bill

[Firedome]

Is there any significance to the fact it has a separate On-Off knob in the first position?
Also there's no tuning meter, and I assume no eye tube also?

I like it but it's not my favorite style, which is Early American in Maple, but I've never seen one like that.

[electra225]

Magnavox lineup from greatest to modest is: Concert Grand, big Imperial, Stereo Theater, little Imperial, Symphony, Concerto, Comtemporary. These would be the models with P-P amplifiers. There is one series with a SE amp and AM tuner, one with SE amp and AM-FM tuner, one series with no tuner. That would be consoles. The portables I'm not that familiar with.

The AMP-175 had 6V6 P-P amp, not bi-amped and was the predecessor to the 93 series. The Conquest changer is model F-200 and the Imperial Micromatic changer, starting in 1961 is the S-600. To my way of thinking they are identical, or nearly identical mechanically. The difference is the tone arm, over arm and platter mat. Some of the knobs on the Conquest are different, maybe depending on year, maybe depending on application. Every Conquest I'm aware of either has an EV 26 cartridge or a Euphonics U model. The Euphonics is fairly rare in working condition since the rubber bridges turn to goo.

Bill, my Imperial and Concert Grand are both 1960 models, built at almost the same time. One in the 41st week of 1959, the other in the 43rd week of 1959.

The separate power switch is unique to the Symphony/little Imperial/Stereo Theater series 200 tuners. The Imperial/CG has the power switch as part of the timbre control. Pull out/push in to operate. On the little series 100 tuners, the power switch is part of the treble switch.

AFAIK, the Imperial Micromatic extended to the SS era. The trim was not as big and gawdy, unfortunately. I'm thinking the changer in the second one has the 11" platter and is housed in a SS model. I wouldn't drive two hours for it for free myself. They make good parts instruments for the tube models. Speakers, changer, that stuff. You can put the 9" platter from an older tube model on the newer changers.

Bill, my Symphony has a smooth operating S-600 Imperial Micromatic with an EV 26 cartridge and even still has it's little brush to knock off the dust before the needle hits it. You have to have that little brush adjusted right or it will sound funny. Don't ask how I got so smart......

I believe the tube complement of the AMP-175 would be a 5U4 rectifier, two 12AX7 amps and four 6V6 GT audio tubes. The rectifiers are built by Sylvania, the little amps GE or RCA, and the output tubes RCA. They would all be Magnavox branded if they are original. The awful 6EU7 debuted for the 1961 model year, along with the S-600 changer and the 93 series amp. 1960 would have been the last year for an eye tube. Tuning meters started in 1961. I'm surprised that Symphony doesn't have an eye tube or a meter.

[Motorola minion]

Is there any significance to the fact it has a separate On-Off knob in the first position?
Also there's no tuning meter, and I assume no eye tube also?

I like it but it's not my favorite style, which is Early American in Maple, but I've never seen one like that.

Roger,
This is similar to my Symphony with exact same tuner (57-03 the one with no 88 or 89 on the dial )

Mine is also dated on Abe Lincoln's birthday of 1960. The AMP-175 is rated 20 watts in all the sales brochures and is a solid quality amp using a 12AX7/7025 and a robust power supply. It has 8 speakers including the 15" woofs, no horns. The F200 changer is one I have several of, should you need parts. I also have even an extra tuner identical to that one, no meter, no electron ray tube BUT the simple On-Off switch is one of my favorite features.

[William]

Roger, I fully agree that Maple is the proper wood for Early American. And, as far as I know, Magnavox did not offer Early American in Maple. I have looked at lots of Magnavox brochures on line and I have never seen Maple in any of them. IMHO, Early American was not one of Magnavox's better looking cabinets. Other companies did Early American much better.

Bill

[Firedome]

Thanks for all that excellent background.

The seller wants $150 obo, I'd guess it may be had for 100 or less since it hasn't gone anywhere for a while. It's also about 2 hrs away. I'd be all over it if it were EA style, perhaps they used fruitwood? that was quite popular around the early '60s. Pretty much all the furniture in the LR is EA Maple, including the DuMont, Ethan Allen cabinet, and '66 Zenith roundie color set (their last round screen model) for me, and a hutch and a corner cabinet for her, all of this plus the upholstered stuff in a 12 x 18 room.

Of course being a 6BQ5 guy I stupidly sold off all my NOS quads of US 6V6GT/7408s that I'd gotten as spares for various H-K receivers and RCA amps over the years to the guitar crazies. You'd think after all this time I'd learn to keep all US NOS tubes, they only go up!

hmmm I really don't have the room for another console... my wife was bugging me about getting rid of stuff just the other day. The garage is stacked to the rafters already too.