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1957 Phonola 856

Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 3:05 am
by Hi-Fi-Mogul
Got this gal back together and I am impressed with how
good it sounds.
I like the stylized "Phonola" emblem on the cabinet.

I took Greg's general advice on increasing the cathode bypass cap
to enhance the bass. (50L6 output in this case)

I really like this 3 tube hot chassis amp's design.

There is VERY low hum after you're done with
the re-cap.
I wonder if the grounded extra secondary OPT winding
helps with hum ?

Speakers must be removed prior to chassis removal.

This is the 3rd player I worked on that used the
exact same amp.
Most recent was the Firestone record player I posted.
The tone control is a 3-way capacitor selector.

The Sonotone 2-T cartridge is still performing well.
I may go back with a new Pfanstiehl, so that stereo
records can be played, it I sell it.

I played some scratched up older early 1960's jazz records and
they sounded great, even with the 2-T cart.

Re: 1957 Phonola 856

Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 11:27 am
by William
Per your usual, nice job Mr. Mogul. The wax caps definitely needed replacement and are the speakers two different sizes?

Bill

Re: 1957 Phonola 856

Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 4:01 pm
by TC Chris
Curious how much heat that dropping resistor in the filament string generates. It seems to me that heat was the one issues the manufacturers tended ti ignore.

Chris Campbell

Re: 1957 Phonola 856

Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 4:08 pm
by Hi-Fi-Mogul
William wrote: Sun Jun 28, 2026 11:27 am Per your usual, nice job Mr. Mogul. The wax caps definitely needed replacement and are the speakers two different sizes? Bill

Yes Bill, the same 2 sizes as in the Firestone.

AND, the Newcomb sold today and is off to a new home !

TC Chris wrote: Sun Jun 28, 2026 4:01 pm Curious how much heat that dropping resistor in the filament string generates. It seems to me that heat was the one issues the manufacturers tended to ignore.Chris Campbell
Chris, no apparent heat effects within the chassis. I'm sure the beeswax got
warm, but no melting in the chassis.

Re: 1957 Phonola 856

Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 11:39 pm
by William
Congrats on the sale, Mr. Mogul. I am jealous.

Bill