Collaro Microgram 1946 Record Player

This is a COLLARO 1946 single speed [78] portable record player. It is probably one of the first portable mains operated record players that was available after WW2 and I guess may well have been released in 1939 had conditions been different. It uses a conventional Collaro motor with a magnetic pick-up that is quite heavy but does not appear to damage the records in any way. It employs standard steel needles and is probably one of the last commercial players to use them. Early crystal pick-ups became available in 1948 and these with their considerably less tracking weight and the introduction of long playing thirty three and a third vinyl recordings, soon made steel needles obsolete. The unit will operate on any mains voltage from 110 to 250v AC or DC mains adjustable via a selector under the turntable. Many areas of Britain, usually large cities with tramways were still supplied with DC mains as late as the early 60's and equipment had to be made on a limited basis to cater for this diminishing demand.
The amplifier uses three Mullard [Philips] octal based valves in a very robust construction. The first is an EF39 pre amplifier followed by a CL33 output valve and a CY31 half wave rectifier. The mains supply for the valve heaters is dropped by a resistive 'mat' comprising resistance wire wound onto an Asbestos mat rather like a toaster element. It is very well cooled and quite safe to use. The internal speaker is 5" in diameter and gives a good sound considering the massive steel chassis and motorboard. It is very HEAVY! The Collaro Company manufactured very high quality equipment at their modern 1930's factory facing the newly opened Barking Bye Pass North of London. They also produced some superb tape decks in the late 50's and early 60's. I have chosen a record to demonstrate the Collaro that is close to its date of manufacture, the Harry Lime Theme played by Anton Karas on his Zither. I Hope you find this of interest.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Collaro
• Microgram
• 1946.
• Record
• Player
• Harry
• Lime
• Theme.
• 78
• Player.

[tonkahoosier]

Dammit the hell, now I have this song stuck in my head. LOL

[vinylseat]

Ha! Ha! The Harry Lime Theme was the signature tune to a very popular 1940's [1949 I think] film called 'The Third Man'.

You may find a clip from it on UTube. J.

[rubbrhog]

Very nice...I just picked one of these up from the local boot fair for five quid, immaculate condition, so it's in the queue for repair and to add to my collection. Steve

[vinylseat]

Hello Steve, watch the live chassis arrangement when you repair the amplifier. If you need any help with it don't hesitate to ask. good luck with it. John.

[vinylseat]

Hello Richard, The handle for mine was discovered under the motorboard. I think it had been removed because the player rarely left its allocated place! You only need to ensure that the neutral wire is connected to the metal amplifier chassis. A neon test screwdriver is fine as a test. Mine was fitted with the original 2 pin 5amp plug as earthing was virtually unknown in the UK until the arrival of the ring main. You just have to be aware of the hazard. John.

[vinylseat]

No problem. Its not the fact that the equipment is not earthed. AC/DC equipment has one side of the mains supply directly connected to the amplifier chassis making anything connected to it live to earth if the mains plug is incorrectly wired. The deck and pick up can become live if the insulation or isolating capacitors become faulty. An RCD is a good idea if your not familiar with this type of circuit or a mains isolation transformer. Its not a problem if you are aware of the dangers. John.

[dari21189]

Music Of SpongeBob Squarepants

[TheVideostunad]

Great looking record player,nice sound too!

 Sal

[Roadstheme]

Spongbob anyone????

[Gd10034]

wow thats a great sounding phonograph. i have a later model collaro. rock n roll 78's sound awesome on it. makes the top of your head tingle. great machines.

[wb5oxq]

Nice sound quality from an old portable. Collaro supplied record changers for magnavox phonographs for many years and were considered to be above average quality.

[16mmDJ]

OH GOD GIVE ME THAT RECORD!

I love that movie :)

[cubantoro]

I love this tune.... The Third Man Theme song. Awesome machine~

[oscarelgy]

thank you. how excellent the record sounds on a contemporary player

[oscarelgy]

thank you. how excellent this record sounds on a contemporary player