Vintage Asylum

Classic gear from yesteryear; vintage audio standing the test of time.

Return to Vintage Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console

67.161.131.34
Posted on September 11, 2007 at 21:26:57
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007



I just purchased a vintage G-M Stereo Console and I was wondering if anyone knew of any internet resources for those of us who love the old Grundig gear? I did a search here but most of what I found was ancient history.

It is model number SO162 (see pix) and tube powered. The tube complement is:
ECC85, ECH81, EF89, EF80, EBC41, ECC83, ECC83, ECC83, EL95, EL95, EL95,EL95EM84, 2 GERMANIUM DIODES RL233, 2 SELENIUM RECTIFIERS B250 C75

I know it is probably not audiophile grade but it is something that I've wanted since I was a kid back in the '50's. What there is of it sounds pretty good, almost like I remember it.

My music collection is all digital and I don't have vinyl anymore. Even so, I wouldn't put any vinyl I valued on the included turntable but if I could find a better Grundig turntable I would consider dropping it in. The FM section sounds great but I don't have antennas for the SW or BC bands. Still, I can get a few of the stronger stations on the BC band. If I can find a schematic or service manual I would be one happy man. In general, I am surprised at how little material is out on the web for vintage G-M gear. Any direction anyone could provide would be very much appreciated.

The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on November 10, 2014 at 14:29:23
Sherwood Forest
Audiophile

Posts: 240
Joined: October 7, 2014
 Oh boy, welcome to the wild and wooly world German radios!

These are fantastic machines, but delicate, and stupidly complex. The transmission and mechanicals for the push-buttons, the clutch mechanism on the tuning dial, etc... Those should all be checked out before you dive too far in. Some components, like the multi-position slider switches in the push-button section are just about literally impossible to replace or even service. I'd make sure that you don't have any unfixable issues in there before going to far in...

Also - be CAREFUL with that glass panel, it breaks quite easily when you're trying to wrestle the tuner out of the cabinet.

Sounds like some folks here know a thing or two about these, which is nice. The only other place I've seen where experts on these talk is radiomuseum, which has a cumbersome paid membership application process.

Good luck!

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on November 9, 2014 at 13:51:07
patti2omw@gmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1
Joined: November 9, 2014
 Hi, If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for that Console? I also have one like new. My email is: patti2omw@gmail.com
If you could reply to me there, I would appreciate that as I'm not sure what type of communication system I am on now and if you post here I may never see your response. :)
Thank you for your time.
Patti

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on September 8, 2011 at 10:27:07
schrammpamela


 
I also have this stereo that was my uncle's and I want to keep it in the family. I've been researching this stereo and found this to be worth
anywhere from $800-$5,000 if anyone would be willing to pay you for this.
Anybody that has any information please email me...Thanks! Pamela

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on March 28, 2010 at 14:41:16
buny73
Audiophile

Posts: 1
Joined: March 28, 2010
 Hi I have a Grundig Majestic SO 132. I don't know too much about it. The speakers say "Original Grundig Speakers" I would like to find any and all info on this model that I can get. Would also like to know if anyone can tell me what it might be worth.

 

My Grundig 4095 restoration (many photos), posted on September 16, 2007 at 13:26:55
4season


These are good starting points for info on German radios:



oldradioworld.de

radiomuseum.org

askjanfirst.com



I fully restored a Grundig 4095 a couple of years ago. Big job! The cabinet and chassis were in pretty good shape, but dirty, and nearly every epoxy-dipped paper capacitor looked swollen and needed to be replaced. I quickly gave up on the idea of using lookalike replacement parts, but Sprague polypropylene orange drops worked really well, and I was able to at least reuse the shell of the original selenium rectifier and multisection B+ can capacitor













It was just too bad about that dead EM34 magic eye! I replaced it with a Russian part.

 

RE: My Grundig 4095 restoration (many photos), posted on March 29, 2010 at 14:29:57
Camrahnbay
Audiophile

Posts: 407
Location: DESERT SW
Joined: January 15, 2009
 EXCELLENT INFO,PARTS THAT I NEED AND COULDN'T FIND.
THANKS FOR THE POST

 

RE: My Grundig 4095 restoration (many photos), posted on February 23, 2020 at 13:44:48
Alan Grundig 4095
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: NJ
Joined: February 22, 2020
 Any chance the schematic for the Majestic 4095 tuner strings is still in someone's drawer or computer files?

Any guidance would be appreciated!

 

RE: My Grundig 4095 restoration (many photos), posted on September 28, 2007 at 17:01:48
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007
 4Season:

How long did it take you to do your 4095? My SO 162 looks like it is an order of magnitude more complex. I've been tracking down schematics and service manuals, etc., before I get started. I took it out of the cabinet last weekend, applied some de-oxit, took some pix, and put it back in. If I have any advantage at all, it is that the thing works really well, especially after the de-oxit.


The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

RE: My Grundig 4095 restoration (many photos), posted on September 28, 2007 at 17:01:14
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007
 4Season:

How long did it take you to do your 4095? My SO 162 looks like it is an order of magnitude more complex. I've been tracking down schematics and service manuals, etc., before I get started. I took it out of the cabinet last weekend, applied some de-oxit, took some pix, and put it back in. If I have any advantage at all, it is that the thing works really well, especially after the de-oxit.


The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

RE: My Grundig 4095 restoration (many photos), posted on September 28, 2007 at 17:00:21
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007
 4Season:

How long did it take you to do your 4095? My SO 162 looks like it is an order of magnitude more complex. I've been tracking down schematics and service manuals, etc., before I get started. I took it out of the cabinet last weekend, applied some de-oxit, took some pix, and put it back in. If I have any advantage at all, it is that the thing works really well, especially after the de-oxit.

 
RE: My Grundig 4095 restoration (many photos), posted on September 16, 2007 at 21:18:35
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007
 I'm glad you posted the picture and links. I'm waiting on a manual to arrive before I start work on my Grundig. However, I have been thinking about it and doing research on the web. There seem to be a lot of choices in replacement capacitors for different reasons, including sonic qualites. I've seen those orange caps in several audio rebuilds and mods. Are they chosen for sound quality or some other reason?

I've decided that where there is a reasonable choice within in my budget and competence, I want to choose the component or upgrade path that leads to the best sound quality for my beauty. To do that, I will have to call on the collective wisdom which everyone in this little community so generously gives.

Thank you all in advance :-)

The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

Sprague 716P orange drops, posted on September 17, 2007 at 09:29:15
4season
 "Orange Drops" have been in production for decades, and the 716P-series are probably the best of the bunch as they're polypropylene, not mylar. Good reliable parts, readily available in the appropriate values, and not hyped up as an audiophile part, so the prices are reasonable, yet they sound good.

I was sort of tempted to look for German makes like Wima or Roederstein ("ERO") but simply could not find the values I needed, and some items appeared to be out of production--no big surprise considering that Roederstein, Sprague and Vishay merged awhile back.

I've also incorporated a couple of Solen polypropylenes in place of electrolytics: They should last a lot longer, and Solen is one of the few companies to offer film capacitors in larger values--up to 200 uf or so.

The main B+ capacitor is still electrolytic, and I couldn't find twist-lock types to fit the existing cutout (USA types have different dimensions), but F&T's stud-mounted caps fit if if you enlarge the hole a bit.

 

RE: Sprague 716P orange drops, posted on September 17, 2007 at 14:23:54
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007




This is probably a little premature. I found the picture of the underside on a website in the Netherlands. It is not very good but it is almost certainly the underside of my receiver. The other picture I took of my unit. I haven't removed my reciever yet. When I do, I'll post much better and clearer pictures of the underside.


The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

RE: Sprague 716P orange drops, posted on September 17, 2007 at 14:14:47
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007



This is probably a little premature. I found this picture on a website in the Netherlands. It is almost certainly the underside of my receiver. I haven't removed my reciever yet. When I do, I'll post much better and clearer pictures.
The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on September 12, 2007 at 10:16:38
shermanr@prw.net
 I have to dig-up some schematics for you and scan them or photocopy.

Several years ago, I restored a similar Grundig console. It had an AM-FM-SW Radio/Amp unit with white/brown/gold faceplates.

The weak point in these are always the EroFoil signal coupling caps, they dry-out and conduct DC.

The output transformers on the amplifier unit are VERY delicate, wound with very, very thin wire. If there is something not correct with the bias on the EL95 tubes, the primaries will easily open-circuit before the red plated EL95's have a chance to die.

These consoles have a very warm sound. Good for an extra family room system.

The hookup wire used in these Grundig's is close hair-thin so the chore of restoration depends on delicate hands and good soldering skills.

I recall that the EL95's used a common cathode resistor (like the Dynaco ST-35) for all 4 output tubes.

I will scrounge around for the schematics post them as soon as I can. The amps in these units are very similar from model to model with very small variations. The OPT's on mine were gone so I bid on an Ebay trasher and scavanged the OPT's.

Unfortunately the termites got the best of the cabinet and I parted-out the individual components and sold to my collector friend.

Now these termites are living the the Kitchen cabinets on my beach apartment. They went from music appreciation to cooking.

No electrostatic tweeters on mine, just plain ole oval drivers and some abience speakers on the sides.

BR/Rich

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on September 12, 2007 at 09:19:24
sgmlaw
Audiophile

Posts: 1849
Location: Pennsylvania
Joined: February 11, 2002
 There are some radio enthusiasts over in Germany who offer a schematic service for the older table and console models for very little money. I don't have the name of the one gentleman I know off hand, but a quick Google should bring him up.

That's a very nice piece of furniture. I've been looking for a nice tubed console for our living room for some time now. Unfortunately, a lot of the best older Fisher and Magnavox cabinets have already been carved up for the electronics.

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on September 15, 2007 at 20:33:22
Rooster
Industry Professional

Posts: 133
Location: Idaho
Joined: June 7, 2000
 Too bad you are in PA and I am in ID or I would give you such a deal!!

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on September 20, 2007 at 11:20:52
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007
 Hmmmm. What kind of deal on what? I'm a lot closer; in Denver.

The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on September 11, 2007 at 22:35:58
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 Well come on now and show us the insides..I think you have electrostatic tweeters as mine does but mine is the smaller console with shortwave and FM but Im sure yours is better because even the wood on yours is very nice.

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on September 12, 2007 at 14:06:54
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007





Sorry, no electrostatics. Sorry again, I still haven't figured out how to include more than one picture. You'll have to cut and paste into a browser window or tab.

http://www.dalarry.com/GM/DSCF0013.JPG

http://www.dalarry.com/GM/DSCF0015.JPG

http://www.dalarry.com/GM/DSCF0017.JPG

http://www.dalarry.com/GM/DSCF0019.JPG

This transformer looks pretty funky!!

http://www.dalarry.com/GM/DSCF0020.JPG

http://www.dalarry.com/GM/DSCF0026.JPG

It has a cute little quasi functional graphic equalizer. Still, clearly, there are some work days ahead.



The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console - pictures, posted on September 12, 2007 at 19:56:45
PeterI
Audiophile

Posts: 1432
Location: Colorado
Joined: October 17, 2006
 Hi DaLarry
Thanks for putting up the pictures. I sold my restored Grundig Majestic table radio, and now I sorta regret it. I love those vintage Euro consoles but finding a good one is near impossible.
The chassis' were very different from American stuff.

Pete in Denver

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console - pictures, posted on September 12, 2007 at 20:07:08
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007
 My pleasure, Pete. I'm definitely going to keep it. Restoring it is another matter. I cracked it open today looked at the electronics. Upgrading it is not a task for the faint of heart or someone in a rush! Yikes. Can you say old, delicate and tight? Of course, I'll have to do some work for safety reasons. The biggest impediment might be my wife who absolutely fell in love with it. She listens to Martini on the Rockies all day. Where are you located in the Front Range, Denver proper? I'm in Aurora.
The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console - pictures, posted on September 12, 2007 at 20:21:35
PeterI
Audiophile

Posts: 1432
Location: Colorado
Joined: October 17, 2006
 Hi
We spoke on the phone once about Hafler amps and Dynaco's I think. If you like, write to my personal email (through Audio Asylum.)

I have a couple things on Denver craigslist. I'm in SW Denver. I like that radio station as well.

The wood looks terrific on that. I saw a nice German-made 'Saba' tube console, but I don't think the electronics were as good as your Grundig.

Pete

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console - pictures, posted on September 12, 2007 at 20:34:45
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007
 I was wondering what happened to you! :-) Glad to hear you are back. I'll contact you off board.

The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on September 11, 2007 at 23:32:42
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007
 It's certainly a beautiful piece of furniture. It almost doesn't matter how it sounds ;-) Almost. I'll break it open and post more pix tomorrow. Electrostatic tweeters! That sounds interesting. I'd have thought it was too old for electrostactics. I figure the fact that it's stereo but sill tube powered would place it late '50's to mid '60's. Earlier and it would probably be mono; later and it would probably be transistorized.
The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

RE: Vintage Grundig Majestic Stereo Console, posted on September 12, 2007 at 07:58:39
FRG7SWL
Audiophile

Posts: 2109
Location: NorCali
Joined: March 26, 2003
 DaLarry, Grundig is now a subsidiary of Eton Corporation. Try contacting their North American hq via snail mail: Eton Corporation, 1015 Corporation Way, Palo Alto Ca., 94303. E-mail route might be: info@etoncorp.com

 

More on the SO161/162, posted on September 12, 2007 at 12:50:50
Rolf Zetterberg


 
http://www.grammofoon.com/frameset.htm?http://www.grammofoon.com/Grundig/grundig_so161.htm&ContentFrame
and even a schematic at the bottom!

 

RE: More on the SO161/162 Rolf, You're a Prince!!, posted on September 12, 2007 at 19:51:22
DaLarry
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: July 20, 2007
 Wow! That is definitely a hole in one! Now, to brush up on my high school German! Oops! I meant Dutch.


The technology of a sufficiently advanced civilization will be virtually indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke

 

Page processed in 0.041 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]