Retro Modern

Here I go again. Going forward with my Hi-Fi Console idea.

First some (very brief) history: For many years from the early 1950’s up through the mid-70’s various manufacturers; General Electric,  Magnavox, Curtis Mathis, Zenith, and many others made all-in-one stereo cabinets. Usually these units resembled fine furniture. What set apart these credenzas from their solid wood counterparts was what they concealed. Underneath their lids were automatic record changers, AM/FM radios. Some hid behind faux drawer fronts reel-to-reel and 8-track cartridge tape players. Some contained color TV sets flanked with fairly large loudspeakers.

They had a warm, soothing, booming sound most people associate with tube electronics (although the newer consoles were solid state.)  Credit the large, hollow cabinet space for most of the boom boom.

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Inspiration for my idea comes from an article I read in Stereo Review many years ago about a woman who had such a console updated with audiophile quality components and speakers, replacing the old works while retaining the original appearance. It was like dropping a 351 cubic inch v-8 in a Ford Focus. Ever since then I have been inspired to do a similar project (both with a compact car “sleeper” and a stereo, I might add.)

The record players, amps and speakers in these vintage units were not all that special to begin with. For example, I hate record changers. They are overly complicated, mechanically. They are noisy. And changers damage vinyl records by stacking them one on top of another.

But I love the look and finish of these consoles. The furniture aspects are aesthetically appealing. Why these units fell out of favor is a mystery. Blame component rack systems and the public’s desire for portability. Whatever the case, this retro look can’t be beat. Instead of chasing an original unit I have decided to design and build my own console stereo. Here are some of my ideas:

• make it a “modular” design so components can be swapped.
• conceal the components while providing adequate ventilation and access.
• use standard 19” rack mount professional electronics: tuner, amps, CD player, etc.
• utilize heavy duty drawers to slide electronics in and out of the cabinet, especially for a turntable, due to the need for easy top access

By the time I am finished the project it will probably evolve into a custom entertainment center cabinet. Here’s to the process!

Stay tuned.

The Hi-Fi, Final Chapter

Appraisal

The project is underway first with the rat’s nest of wiring. The half century old harness is in surprisingly good shape; all solder joints still intact. Very little rust is present. Dust and grime are abundant. Using this unit daily would be problematic, so I choose to trash this fire hazard wiring.

When I energize the unit in 2009, the radio performs well on both AM and FM although the switching between sources is quite scratchy and inconsistent (volume, tone and selector switches need contact cleaner). The ancient tube amplifier powers the built in speakers just fine with more than acceptable fidelity. Audio out of the left side of the cabinet is distorted on bass sounds (I suspect a cracked woofer.) The left loudspeaker is water damaged beyond repair. I keep the right one for a souvenir. The automatic record changer is useless. Even when new it was not exactly state-of-the-art. By 2011, I need a new game plan as far as the electronics are concerned. I decide to purge the contents and start with an empty carcass. What is left concerns me.

Conclusion

On close inspection the hi-fi actually looks better than it is. The unit is made with birch plywood with a rosewood veneer, mostly ½” with a few ⅛” panels. The only solid wood appears to be a long board that reinforces the back and the 4 tapered legs turned in late ‘50 modern style. The top is distressed from years of storage and abuse. The finish has long lost its sheen. A peek underneath the lid reveals what the cabinet must have been in its former glory.

The deeper I dive into the console, the more I am convinced to scrap it altogether before drowning in an unrewarding money pit. Realizing that the old GE console is more of a family relic than a truly vintage representation of hi-fi art, my mission now is to find a better example then restore it. Better yet, I will design and build my own.

Stay Tuned.