Old audio credenza (if that's what it's called). (1 Viewer)

Need some help here. For the life of me I cannot remember what these old audio credenza things were called. When I was growing up (70's) we had a radio, speakers and record player all housed inside this big thing that looked like a credenza. You lift the lid on top and there were all the controls. It was probably about 6+ ft. long and maybe 30" - 36" tall. I have some good memories of it especially around Christmas time.

The reason I'm asking is because I would like to put a modern version of one of these in our family room. Or find and old one and update it with modern internals. All I want to be able to do is play CD's, records and listen to the radio all in stereo and have it be a stylish piece of furniture.

What were these things called? Anyone know of a place that might sell a newer version of them?

Oh, and I wasn't sure what area to place this so if it needs to be moved I apologize.

Thanks.

They may have been called a stereo console. Magnavox made them. My parents had one with 15" woofers. Try googleing Magnavox console.

We had one growing up too. It just had a record player and radio.

I agree with 'console'. When I watch reruns of old game shows on GSN (for example, See It Now), I see where they were frequently given as parting gifts to contestants.

IIRC my dad paid $600 for his Magnavox console. That was a whole boatload of money back around 1960.

My father had a large Sylvania (I think) console. Thing was built like a tank and sounded great. Massive piece of fine furniture.

We had one of these consoles as well and it was awesome. I remember playing the hell out of my 'looney tunes' 8-track on it. Must have driven my mom nuts

In its later years ours was referred to as 'the monstrosity'.
It was at least 6 feet long and 2+ feet deep. It was divided into 3 sections, the section on the left was a swing out door that had glass storage built into it and plenty of space for liquor bottles (for highballs, I guess), the center section was the 19" B&W TV, the section on the right was the 8-10" speaker. The TV and speaker could be concealed by the sliding tambour doors. It was made out of REAL WOOD and weighed a ton. Which explains why the 4 spindly legs gave out. The spring loaded control cover under the TV had the name 'Fleetwood' on it.
I'm guessing the sucker was a product of the late 50's, like me

Console it is! Thanks! I did some searching and found some beautiful ones and some that I will never be able to "un-see". What I didn't find was a high quality, "modern" version of them. Sure there are those TEAC "Grundig" replica's but they really don't sound good at all.

Any way, I found that most people selling the old ones were letting them go for a realtively cheap price. Most are made out of good, solid wood so this will help in my quest to make a modern version. I want to incorporate my SOTA turn table, iPod dock, single CD player and some sort of stereo receiver. And for speakers I was thinking of going maybe 10" coaxial (possibly open back) although I'm not sure at this point.

Looks like it's time to start hitting Craigslist and the local garage sales.

My grandmother had one. They are shown on Let's Make a Deal all the time, so I'm sure Carol Merrill could have told you what it was. I believe they are referred to as "entertainment centers" on LMAD, but I haven't watched in a while.

It's not a victrola is it?

Just so everyone is aware, the posts that the new person is responding to are almost seven years old.


There was another thread a few years back, in which (if I'm remembering correctly) someone described in pretty nice detail the way he was refurbishing and customizing a console stereo. I think he was installing current equipment in it. Other people gut them and turn them into bars or whatnot. I should try to find that thread.


Some ten years ago I acquired one of these that had definitely been a deluxe model in its day, both inside and out. It's a ca-1961 Fisher housing a Garrard turntable with Fisher tube amp and tuner. Don't get too excited -- those are not of the quality of Fisher's separate components, but it would nevertheless be great to get the work done on them and have them in nice working order.


I've enjoyed it as a decorative piece of furniture with interesting innards, but I intend to let it go sometime soon to someone who has the means of hauling it out of here (the sucker is heavy) and, hopefully, the intentions to do something good with it. When I'm ready, I'll put up a full description and pictures.


I haven't taken the time to look, but I'm thinking there's got to be some websites dedicated to these things.

Sam Posten said:

It's not a victrola is it?

Click to expand...

Nope. These are mid-century "deluxe" stereos, similar to the kind of furniture-style 25" TV consoles people bought for their living rooms. I think some really large ones even included the TV. Maybe even reel to reel tape decks.

A smattering:


http://goo.gl/1wc8ie

My parents still have theirs. It is actually beautifully made in Walnut and is nice furniture, IMO. My Dad has upgraded the electronics and the speakers, but the console still looks as it does in this 1971 picture. I have many happy memories of lying on the floor, exactly in between the two speakers, soaking up music in stereo. I particularly liked "The Music Man" soundtrack; the opening sequence with the salesman on the train sounded so realistic in stereo.


My Grandmother's was pretty also (although not as finely made) and included a TV.

Years ago I visited the Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut (man that's a long name!). I remember they had a few of these TV consoles still working.

Neat! I was just up there over Thanksgiving; wish I'd known that place existed.

I didn't know about that. Must make a point of getting over there soon.