Balkite Symphonion phonograph/radio

[E-M-H]

I picked this up because I loved the case, and it because it was a phono/radio combo. From my research I've found out it was made in 1928 by the Fansteel/Balkite company and named the Symphonion. Sometime in the early 1930s, the radio was upgraded to Grunow radio. Cabinet was made by Berkey & Gay. Very heavy!

Now onto the phonograph, it's got an electromagnetic reproducer. Not sure what type of motor it is, but I think it was still used after the radio was upgraded. There's a wire coming down from the tone arm and it must have hooked into something...just can't tell where it's supposed to go. Very dusty and looks like it's been decades since it's actually worked. This will be long restoration, but looking forward to the finished product.

[gregbogantz]

That radio chassis looks to be substantially newer than the original set, probably dating from the mid to late 1930s. Tuning "eyes" were not commonly available before about 1935 or so. If there is no obvious place to plug in the tonearm, the new chassis may never have been adapted to accept the phono input. It wouldn't be hard to figure out how to hook it up, but you would have to do a little engineering on it. Usually, the phono input is made just after the detector circuit in the radio at the input of the first audio amp stage. You'd probably have to add an input connection means and a switching means to transfer from radio to phono operation. Any radio collector and restorer could help you with this modification.

[FloridaClay]

Good luck with the restoration. The cabinet is quite handsome. It should clean up beautifully.

Clay

[E-M-H]

That radio chassis looks to be substantially newer than the original set, probably dating from the mid to late 1930s. Tuning "eyes" were not commonly available before about 1935 or so. If there is no obvious place to plug in the tonearm, the new chassis may never have been adapted to accept the phono input. It wouldn't be hard to figure out how to hook it up, but you would have to do a little engineering on it. Usually, the phono input is made just after the detector circuit in the radio at the input of the first audio amp stage. You'd probably have to add an input connection means and a switching means to transfer from radio to phono operation. Any radio collector and restorer could help you with this modification.

I've found information on the Grunow 11A chassis that said it was pre 1934, and the company was organized in 1932...so somewhere between those years. What makes me think the new chassis may have accomodated the phono is that the "jerry-rigged" supply wiring made accommodation for powering the radio and the phono, but at this point, I don't know enough about radios to look at it and tell for sure.

I'll have to learn what a "detector circuit in the radio at the input of the first audio amp stage" is and do some investigating I plan on having everything put back in working order and the case cleaned up too. It will all have to be farmed out since I don't have the expertise, so how quickly it gets done will be determined by cost

Just wanted to say also that the folks on this forum have been by far the most welcoming and helpful amongst the various collecting communities I've consulted in my quest to learn more about these machines. Thank you all.

Good luck with the restoration. The cabinet is quite handsome. It should clean up beautifully.

Clay

Thanks Clay. I've always said I'm a sucker for nice packaging/a pretty face I'm just imagining in the future sitting in my living room by the fire with this thing purring in the corner.