|
Thanks for all the kind responses. Here are some specific replies:
Eric - I'm very familiar with your Magnavox, it is The Berkshire model 270B in Mahogany from the 1955 Magnavox line...top-of-the-line in 1955. Has (as you know) a 15" woofer, 12" woofer, and exponential horn. Most unusual (and refined) was the dual-channel mono amp (also called "bi-amplified by som) which afforded separate amplification for bass and treble..hence no crossover network and no intermodulation distortion. This unit was the subject of some "upset" in the Hi Fi community because Frank Freimann (president of Magnavox at the time) took out a full page ad in Time and Life which was essentially an "advertorial" on hi-fi components. He debunked the myth that components were the ONLY way to hi-fidelity, and he "put his money where his mouth is (was)" by proclaiming that "If any of our 1955 Magnavox High Fidelity instruments does not sound better to you than an assembled components rig costing three times as much, your Magnavox Dealer will take back the instrument and refund the purchase price." IMAGINE the COURAGE to nationally advertise a claim like that! Truth is...their equipment was good enough to withstand the comparison.
CAPTAINMOODY: Thanks! No, my Magnavox Armoire is the very last generation before STAR was incorporated into the same cabinet. I wanted it that way since it was the last series with a totally remote operated radio (tuning in addition to volume and record reject) PLUS it was the last armoire to incorporate the 150 watt stereo amp with air-suspension 15" woofers and exponential horns. It's mint, withpractically no use...sat in a telcom company's president's office as "eye candy"!
domfjbrown: Yes, I have a few of ythem...two are mint and never used...but (sad to say) NONE of them really operates correctly!
Chad Hauris: Boy, I'd love to see/have one of those films! You're observations on Magnavox in the 1940s and 1950s are correct. The 1948 Windsor Imperial is virtually McIntosh quality and utilized an 8 cell exponential horn which routinely sells for $1000 on eBay! It was built to Magnavox specs by Stephens Tru-Sonic and the entire rig retailed for $895!! That would be about $7000 today!! The brochure alone has sold for $100 on eBay. I got the letters from a friend who was franchised to sell Magnavox in the 1950s. The entire Magnavox Company was acquired by Philips in 1974. They sold off everything (Selmer, Magnavox government & industrial division, furniture divisions, etc.) over time except the consumer electronics business. The G&I division changed hands many times and was once owned by Hughes. They had an excellent reputation in many advanced fields.
Anthony/Heathkit TV: I'd love to talk to your aunt someday..though she might not be able to answer much! Philips actually saw many of the non consumer electronic businesses of Magnavox turn a profit...but since they were unrelated to Philips' core focus (consumer electronics) they were eventually all sold off through time. One division was Baker furniture...makers of what many consider to be the finest furniture you can buy (antique reproductions are a specialty and a chair for $3500 is not unusual in the Baker line). Philips' old executive offices on Park Avenue in New York were furnished by Baker. At one point in my career, my boss offied in a Baker appointed office at that address...quite spiffy!
|