Thrift Store Encounter: Magnavox Astro Sonic Console Stereo

I recently encountered the cutest Magnavox Astro Sonic Console Stereo in a local thrift store.  We didn't buy it because we don't have an SUV and didn't relish the thought of lugging it up to our third floor apartment.  But, I'm sure it will be a great buy for someone.  It was compact, intact, and seemed to be working fairly well for a nearly 50 year old stereo system. 

The Stereo indicator LED didn't seem to illuminate properly when the stereo was locked on a station.  But, you could easily tell from the sound quality when a station was tuned in properly.  The FM Stereo certainly sounded good.

I'm not sure that stereo indicator bulb is working!

The controls on this system are straight forward and fun to work with.  There is something cool about manually dialing in an FM station.  This system apparently had some capabilities for adding Auxiliary components and extra speakers.

The Heart of the Magnavox Astro Sonic Console Stereo

The turntable even seemed to spin just fine.  However, it wouldn't have been a surprise if the system needed a new needle.

This photo makes the system look a little larger than it actually is.  But, it shows the overall finish and the look of the system.  To make this really look good, it might have needed a stereo refinishing or a coat of more contemporary paint.

It looks far more dainty in this photo.  While this is a big and substantial piece of furniture, I'm surprised that console stereos have disappeared.  Nearly every stereo enthusiast has a spouse that is considerably less enthused by a constant jumble of wires and unsightly speakers.  A console stereo has the capability to blend in with the rest of the living room.  That has to count for something right?

This system was only $60.  I should have bought it.  But, I doubt we could have got it home and up the stairs in working condition.  Still, it would have been an interesting buy.  I found a nice write up of a similar system here on Retro Thing.

Vintage Speaker Review: Realistic Solo 103 Speakers

My wife and I went on a thrift shop expedition recently and I came away with a small treasure:  a pair of Realistic Solo 103 Speakers.

Realistic is or was a well-regarded Radio Shack house brand.  Even today you can find positive references to them on enthusiast websites like Audiokarma.  

Back in the late 1960s, a pair of speakers like these cost $15.96.  I got them for $13.96.  Of course, at the thrift store, they were a bit of a gamble.  The front grills don't appear to be removable without causing damage and the back of the speakers don't reveal any information about their specifications other than they are 8-ohm speakers.  This posed a little bit of drama because I didn't want to blow the speakers on my modern receiver.  When it comes to technical information on the Realistic Solo 103, you are pretty much on your own:  Solo.  Eventually, I found Solo 103 speakers listed on page 22 of this circa 1968 Radio Shack catalog.  As best I can find out via the internet is that these speakers are 15 watt speakers with a frequency response starting at 30 hz.

When I got these little speakers home, they continued to pose a challenge because they didn't have conventionally labeled black and red connectors.  Instead, I just had to hook them up with an extra effort towards being consistent about which wire went to which color on the back of my stereo.  I'm not sure what would have happened if I had got the wires crossed up, but they worked fine and my stereo worked fine.  Here is my primitive connection job on these ancient speakers.

Of course, the big question is:  how do they sound?  My answer is they sound pretty good.  Without the profound bass of a big woofer, these speakers sound a little bright.  However, they have nice heavy magnets and they are in fairly heavy wooden enclosures.  Thus, they don't sound tinny at all. They sounded great for listening to jazz on public radio and listening to various news and commentary station.  The jury is still out on rock.  In an apartment, I find that these speakers are a good choice for low to moderate volume listening when you don't want to transmit bass to your neighbors.

I'm sure that I could open these enclosures up and see if the speakers needed to be replaced or restored.  Overall, for $15, these little bookshelf speakers turned out to be a really great little find.  I'm glad I picked them up.