Another from SE Michigan says hello

[dabrakeman]

I will freely admit I do not know much about this entire topic but have joined to learn more about a specific unit I posted about on the Magnavox board that is part of my folks estate in RI. Here in MI my wife and I have from her side another console, a Sylvania Modell SC88 8P. I will be trying to fix/replace on of the speakers on that at some point (if the lack of sound from that right speaker is indeed the speaker itself...shows how little I know). Look forward to learning and contributing as I can.

[electra225]

We have several folks from Michigan here on the forum. By reading your username, would you by any chance have worked for a railroad, perhaps as a brakeman?......

Of course, I haven't seen your Sylvania stereo up close, nor have I inspected it, but I'd hazard a guess that the speakers aren't your problem. Speakers very seldom fail unless you feed them lots of power at high volume. I'm betting you have a "control" problem. A bad connection, a dirty/faulty switch, an electrical issue in the amp, or a dirty control are the first things that come to mind. We have lots of knowledgeable people who can advise you and talk you thru the repair. We all started out as "total noobs".........

[TC Chris]

I endorse the suggestions of Electra 225. There are a variety of control and switch cleaners available. I use DeOxit just because that's what I have. others have different preferences. Often you can identify a dirty control by working the various ones through their range of motion. It doesn't usually solve the problem for the long term, but it can lead you to the problem if you get some intermittent sound while doing it.

Cleaning involves extracting the chassis in most cases so you can get at the parts.

I just repaired a Heath console with the assistance of a very patient advisor who had posted an online article about doing a similar device. One channel was out. In my case, the culprit was not controls. It was a tiny resistor, a 5-cent part, and not the associated transistors (yay). But finding where the fault was took a while. Test this voltage, that resistance, back and forth by email. It got more complicated when we narrowed it down to one resistor. I replaced it but I installed the wrong resistor. Their values are given by colored rings, by a standard code. I mistook a red-red-orange device for the red-red-red one I wanted. The wrong one did not solve the problem, of curse, and it took a lot more hunting until I stuck an ohmmeter on the resistor, which still looked like the right one, and it was off by a factor of 10. Lesson: if there is any question about colors, test the resistor on the ohmmeter or get out the magnifier.

We all have lessons to learn, and curiosity will lead to learning.

Your old Magnavox is cool, too.

Chris Campbell
Mostly in NW lower Michigan; sometimes in Bay City

[dabrakeman]

No, not a railroad brakeman but was an automotive engineer specializing in designing brake systems.

Once get things settled down from my mom's estate my wife and I are going to look to restore the Sylvania in our house so at that time I am looking forward to opening up another board on that subject! Afraid I may have to sell the Magnavox because I have no practical way to get it from RI to MI.

[William]

That is good about keeping the Sylvania and sad about the Magnavox because it is a tube unit and I think you would enjoy listening to that too. Do you have a SUV, it would fit if you do.

Bill

[TC Chris]

A brake man! Where were you this past winter when I was posting about my Ranger's brake woes! All the local mechanics are parts changers, not diagnosticians, and they just kept replacing wheel cylinders and drums. One shop replaced a wheel cylinder 6x. Whenever I suggested checking the combin. valve or master cylinder, they gave me that "we're experts, don't tell us how to handle it" look. I wasn't going to start taking things apart because it was midwinter and his was my daily driver and the Mustang was stored for the winter. But before summer arrived, the truck started behaving itself. I still think it was the combin. valve and I may fiddle with it to verify operation.

But first comes getting the new headlight assembly pointed in the right direction after the latest deer strike.

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

You could rent a U-Haul van or rent a minivan from Enterprise or somebody. Bribe the wife into a "sightseeing" trip to RI......

[dabrakeman]

That is good about keeping the Sylvania and sad about the Magnavox because it is a tube unit and I think you would enjoy listening to that too. Do you have a SUV, it would fit if you do.

Bill

I really would like to keep it somehow but I would have to nurse my old van out there and hope the tranny doesn't go in the 1500 miles. Perhaps if it doesn't sell in the estate sale I will attempt the trip and drop it off at my son's new place
What would be reasonable to tell the estate people is a minimally acceptable bid (if I am allowed to ask)?

[electra225]

It's a tough question with no definite answer. Some estate sales want the moon, some are more reasonable. I'd guess they won't have a lot of offers. You might come up with a maximum figure you would pay, then negotiate from there. It's your money and there are no two deals alike. Just pay what you are comfortable with and don't worry if you pay a bit too much. They aren't making any more of them and if you like it, you would be hard-pressed to find a nicer one. Good luck.

[dabrakeman]

It's a tough question with no definite answer. Some estate sales want the moon, some are more reasonable. I'd guess they won't have a lot of offers. You might come up with a maximum figure you would pay, then negotiate from there. It's your money and there are no two deals alike. Just pay what you are comfortable with and don't worry if you pay a bit too much. They aren't making any more of them and if you like it, you would be hard-pressed to find a nicer one. Good luck.

Unfortunately in this case I am the seller (this was my folks place in RI and I am in MI) and I really have no idea what I should be asking for this or better what to set the minimum at. Hard to find comparatives online. I figure if it doesn't sell for something "reasonable" (whatever that is) then I will likely spend the few hundred to drive out there, hope the vans tranny stays together and bring it home here to Michigan.

[electra225]

What if you set the minimum you would accept at what it would cost to bring it home to Michigan.

[dabrakeman]

IF I use just out of pocket cost the trip with gas and tolls and food would be just shy of $400. If I use IRS total cost per mile for 2025 of $0.70/mi it would be $900. Which is more reasonable?

[William]

The most I have ever spent on a vintage record player was $125.00 for my 1956 Magnavox Berkshire which was TOTL for that year. It can be found in the downloads under 1956. It was my actual first unit that I bought when I started my retirement hobby. It is a mono unit, 15" woofer, 12" woofer, and two horn tweeter. It is amazing, powerful, and sounds great. Did I pay too much, knowing what I know now probably not, but that is the most expensive unit in my collection, but not the most expensive when it comes to total investment. I paid $60.00 for my Magnavox Imperial, and my two VM consoles were $100.00 each. Again, that got them home and in the house but a lot more was spent getting them to like new condition. I am like most of us, lets say we are conservative with our money when it comes to acquiring a new toy mostly because we know what it will cost for a total restoration. Different parts of the country have better luck selling then the west coast of Michigan. East coast, west coast seem to do better than our area. Your Magnavox has the mid century modern look so it has a much better chance of selling than some of the other cabinet styles. The fact that it plays is good, the cabinet is in great shape, and the sound will impress who every takes a listen. Someone, other than a collector, who is looking for their first vinyl player will probably go for it and may even pay a higher price. I am rambling so I will shut up as I am really not helping you with what to do. I guess it boils down to whether you want to keep a family heirloom and are willing to travel and the expense to bring it home. I wish you all the best in that decision.

Bill

[TC Chris]

IF I use just out of pocket cost the trip with gas and tolls and food would be just shy of $400. If I use IRS total cost per mile for 2025 of $0.70/mi it would be $900. Which is more reasonable?

The IRS data are based on total cost of ownership,including purchase and so on, not the incremental cost of one trip in an owned vehicle (gas, tire wear, maybe effect of additional miles on resale value). I get IRS reimbursement for work-related travel, which is fair. But if I'm deciding on the cost of a specific trip, the incremental cost is the relevant datum.

Chris Campbell