Like an old classic car it pays to be pragmatic about buying something 50 years old and expecting it to be perfect.
If you are contemplating buying an old radiogram you are entering a world of maintenance, imperfection and effort, but the rewards are worth it. At least, this is our experience!
Price does not necessarily reflect condition, unless you can get the radiogram professionally checked out first. Even then, it’s hard to put a price on something that is priceless to the right buyer and a pile of firewood to the wrong one!
To get the authentic stereogram sound you need to find a player that has a valve amplifier, wooden cabinet (not too tricky), a 4-speed deck (16, 78, 45 and 33rpm) and probably weighs around 50Kg.
The key is a valve amplifier. Transistor amplifiers (solid state) came into play from the early 1970s and many look the same albeit lighter and smaller than the ‘valve’ but doesn’t have the same authentic sound. Don’t be fooled. Stick with the valve if you can.
There are heaps of websites for the enthusiast and you should spend as long as you can reading up on what you may be in for.
To summarise, this is what we reckon:
Electrics and Electronics
Everything on an old stereogram can be repaired. This was a time before throw-away electronics and plastic casing. BUT it can get expensive and you will need to find an expert in servicing valve equipment.
DO NOT TOUCH THE ELECTRICS UNLESS YOU ARE QUALIFIED – VALVE VOLTAGES ARE LETHAL! There you go, that’s our warning in shouty capitals. ‘Nuff said.
If you are confronted by noisy volume, tone and switch controls, don’t panic. These can be cleaned or replaced but will suggest it’s been a long time since being last serviced. Random pops and loud hums from the speakers suggest loose connections, failing electronics, a poor fitting stylus (needle) or earth problems.
Over the years electronic parts may have been replaced. Technology has changed and components were not so stable then. If it works enjoy it for now. At some point it will need a full service by a qualified person. Done right you’ll see another 50 years of enjoyment. Along the way valves will fail like light bulbs, but again most are still available. These machines used largely standard tubes.
Oh – and check the mains plug and lead for safety! An original cloth cord and cracked mains plug might be authentic but it can also be lethal and a fire risk. If nothing else get an electrician to replace them.
Mechanics
Record decks of the 1960s with a stacker and auto play are complex mechanical devices. With care they can be stripped down and serviced. Most machines were shipped with maintenance instructions for a time when people were trusted to have ‘adjust and service’ aptitude.
A filthy deck will be a sign of trouble. Over the years the lubricated parts attract dust and gum up. The thing to remember is, that almost whatever the problem, it can be fixed by adjustment or repair.
There may have been many different stereogram manufacturers during the 1960s, however many shared the same record decks. One popular brand was ‘Gerrard’. Companies built their own wooden cabinets and often used third party decks, speakers and amplifiers. The good news, is this means it’s still not too hard to find replacement record decks from other stereos. A few wires and three screws and you have a replacement, or a set of spares. Budget for one (a spare set, that is).
Stylus
Even if worn these needles can be replaced. There are online specialists ready to provide new styli (needles) for just about every deck ever made!
Speakers
Listen for buzzes, distortion at medium volume and a lack of bass. Down on bass could be torn cones. If the cones look good the speakers may be wired out of phase (which is easy to fix) or the coils could be damaged (not so easy to fix). Replacement is usually the most cost effective way ahead although specialists can repair speakers for a price.
Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to upgrade to the latest HiFi speakers! They may sound better but that’s like putting a modern engine in a classic car – it’s just not right.
Cabinet
Yes wood. Real wood. Not particle board. If it’s seriously damaged be concerned for the insides! Scuffs, fading, scratches are all to be expected on something this old so roll with it. It’s easy to repair. If you are keen, you can take the whole thing apart and get the cabinet stripped, re laminated, varnished and polished. It’s not plastic. Brilliant.
How much?
What you pay is up to you. If it’s basically all there and works you have the foundation for a restoration that can last for years. We are not saying get ripped off, but these are vanishing and won’t be replaced. They are becoming antiques. For now go to the market with between $200 and $1000 and little bit of luck.
June 29, 2023
Hi, i am in Christchurch. I am selling a Murphy Stereophonic Radio – Gram in excellent condition.
If anyone is interested. My email is jpleach.nz@gmail.com i can email photos.
June 30, 2023
Good luck Juan-Pierre!
February 24, 2022
Have old stereo gram from my Kate farther radio and turntable still goes just needs new needle for turntable only brand sign I can see REO not sure that’s brand wanting to know any value had has good sound
February 25, 2022
Hi Victor, I can’t help with regards the sound, sorry. I found this though https://www.vintageradio.co.nz/model/ultimate/reo which may be of interest. We found with ours that a new needle was great, but the valve speakers will always be ‘what they are’ which so we enjoy old time vinyl rather than expecting it to meet modern hi-fi standards. I adore the sound, personally. Enjoy! >>Julie
October 31, 2020
I have been a Collaro Conquest and it needs some work probably rewiring as well do you know of anywhere in the Palmerston North area l can take this please.
Many thanks
November 2, 2020
Hi Robert, there’s a crowd in Auckland who may be able to help – or if you are outside of Auckland they may be able to give you a recommendation: http://aucklandvintageaudio.co.nz/. Good luck! You’ll have plenty of enjoyment out of it when working, we’re sure of it. Cheers >>Julie
March 29, 2018
For all the people on here looking for a good stereo repair place, I can thoroughly recommend Stereoscope in Auckland. Bruce is the owner/operator and is very good with repairs to all types of hi-fi and stereo gear. I have taken a number of items to him over the past years and he’s been able to sort all of them out.
You can find his details on his website – http://www.stereoscope.co.nz
March 29, 2018
Good on you John. Thanks for the recommendation. >>Julie
October 30, 2017
Kia ora, I just acquired a Murphy solid state ‘super stereo’ with Balfour Princess vinyl player in it. Great sound and in good Nick, but the left speaker doesn’t seem to be going. Is it worth having a look inside or does that sound like a basic replacement job?
Cheers :)
October 30, 2017
Hi Alex, from My Englishman: “Worth looking inside. If the wires reach, swap the speaker wires to see if the speaker is blown or the amplifier. If it’s not the speaker it is often a loose connection on older electronics. Disconnect from the mains and disenngage any connections you can find and check for cleanliness. The act of reconnecting them can sometimes fix things. Check for fuses in printed circuit boards – these can also blow if present, or work loose. Assuming the record player and radio (if it has one) are not working in one speaker it’s not likely to be the fine wiring to the record catridge. If it’s just a record player check the wiring on the cartridge. If you are confident it’s a blown speaker it would be wiser to replace both speakers at the same time to maintain the sound balance. You would need speakers of the same physical size, same impedance (ohms rating) and at least the same power rating or more.” Hope that helps Alex. All the best >>Julie
August 7, 2017
Hi there. I’ve got a Sapphire Solid State Stereo with BSR record deck with stacker and auto play. It has just stopped working. No power. Can you recommend who I can get to fix it? I’m in Franklin but happy to travel to the right repairer. Thanks in advance.
August 7, 2017
Hi Claire, wonderful to hear you have a deck! Hmmm, I think it’s time to have a good online search for a local supplier. Passionate stereo buffs are out there! We have yet to find a ‘local’ in the Waikato so can’t point you in the direction at the minute. If you find one before we do, we’d love to hear back from you and your recommendations. All the best — and we hope you are playing vinyls VERY soon. Too glorious to miss for too long. >>Julie
February 10, 2017
Hi,
my name is Kikiwa and i have purchased a Phillips stereogram. I am finding it hard to find a new cartridge and stylus for it. My stylus still works and cartridge still in tact for how long dont know. On cartridge it says Ag3305. Anyway is there a place in NZ that i can get whole cartridge and stylus.
Cheers
February 11, 2017
Hi Kikiwa, try styli.co.nz for a Philips replacement: N-126-Philips-AG3400 suits the cartridge AG3305. Available for NZ$15 http://www.styli.co.nz/philips.html. Cheers, Julie (with help from my Englishman).