Airline hi-fi AM radio/record player consolette

[radiotvnut]

I just recently found this Airline, model GAA-2508D, radio/phonograph consolette buried in an old warehouse. When I saw it from a distance, I thought I was looking at an RCA. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that it's a Wards Airline with a built-in radio. I was surprised to find that the chassis uses a power transformer, as most of these use a cheaper AC/DC style chassis. Another thing that surprised me is that it uses a 6BL7 output tube; which, is a dual triode. This model also has seperate bass and treble controls.

[dieseljeep]

Sounds like an interesting design. IIRC, someone was pushing an amp, that used a 6BX7, that is a simular tube. Probably a push-pull output.
I think that unit was built by Audio Industries. Their brand name was Ultratone.

[bob91343]

Looks like a VM changer.

[radiotvnut]

It is a VM changer, with an Astatic 89T powerpoint plug-in cartridge. It has one of the later gold colored cartridges installed; so, that means this record player was probably used at least into the '80's.

[maxhifi]

This is a nice find - pretty cool to see something which is a little nicer than the usual AA5 type circuit. And an off-brand at that! VM changers aren't bad to work on either, in comparison to others.

[KentTeffeteller]

Indeed, a very nice phono. The VM changer here is a very well made, reliable unit. And not too bad on record life. And it's nicer than the RCA it looks a lot like.