Guys, I finally landed the big fish...the best console ever made by RCA Victor... a 6-HF-1 massive entertainment system that cost $1600 brand new in 1956. Only doctors and the very rich could afford one of these. You could buy a new car in that time for what this RCA console system sold for. I found it on Craigslist in Chicago, Illinois, and I made a whirlwind road trip Monday and Tuesday to get it. She's now in my house awaiting restoration. This afternoon I got everything unloaded from the van and began work on the speaker unit and got it detailed and all polished up. She's a real beauty...the mahogany veneer on both pieces is simply gorgeous. I can't wait to get everything done.

There are two problems with it... the original changer was missing and it was replaced by a late 60s RCA studiomatic changer, and the disappearing cabinet doors don't roll worth a hoot. The good thing about the replacement changer is it is just dropped in with no changes to the original changer cutout. I have a great condition RP-205 that I'll drop in and use until I can someday find an original changer for this set.

Here's a picture the seller took. I have a new computer and my Nikon memory cards won't go into the slot of the computer, so I've got to get a USB cord to bring the Nikon pictures up on the computer. I'll have updated pictures in a few days.

Here's an updated picture of the system:

Great score, i cant wait to see more pictures.

Great job, Larry! I know you were waiting a long time to get this model. Keep us posted on your progress. Hopefully, a stock record changer will pop up at auction or elsewhere.

Steve

Congratulations Larry,If anybody shuold have one of these,you do.Enjoy!Steven.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB!!!

When the sliding doors are pulled out, a pawl locks the phono or tape drawer. You may have a broken catch or something. The locking mechanism stopped the drawers from sliding open during shipping.

Too bad about the turntable. The rarest component is the headshell. Eventually one will turn up.

How does the phono sound and what cartridge are you using? Mine is still a bit "off" soundwise.

Personally, I couldn't imagine not having mine. Next to my cars, this is my favorite toy! It's on 6 hours every Sunday while I read the paper and do the crosswords.

Congratulations and enjoy!

Exactly how many of these are accounted for? I've always wondered how many were built and how many survive. There's mine, yours, Doug Houston's and I thought there was one in walnut mentioned here. Actually, mine accounts for 2 as I have a spare amp, tuner and MOST of the R2R from someone who was parting one out.

Congrat's Larry on the new acquisition. It looks terrific, and you'll enjoy it a lot.

Do you have the tape recorder as well? In decent shape?

-David

I haven't even fired it up yet. The whole interior of the main cabinet has what appears to be a thick coat of sheetrock dust over everything. I cleaned and recapped the power amplifier last night, plan to work on the tuner today. The power amp was full of black beauty caps...had to get those things outa there........

David, the massive RCA magnecord reel to reel tape machine is there. The only thing missing is the original changer. I plan to send the tape machine to an expert for restoration. I don't know beans about tape decks.

You'll be impressed with the sound the r2r provides. The selection of original 2-track reels isn't really huge and some of the better ones go for BIG $$$. But, you can record directly from the radio on this unit. I've done it and the tapes sound exactly like the broadcast.

I have the original RCA data for the 6HF1. I can mail you a hard copy if you'd like.

The tape transport could be a stinker. They're full of idler wheels, and there were flat spots on all of them. It worked otherwise. It's just a regular Magnecord Junior model. The radio does not play into the tape machine. If memory serves, it records only from a mike (which is not there), and plays into the set's amplifier.

You'll love the sound. I have re-capped the amplifier; it needed it badly.

I've had this set since the early seventies. The only thing missing on it are the knobs, and I have no idea why. The guy's father collected all sorts of radios, and had passed. The kid sold me this one for 30 bucks.

Hi Larry! Congratulations on landing this baby at last. I'd go ahead and leave the Studiomatic in there for now if it were mine. It's probably kinder to the records than the 205 would be - although the 205 would LOOK better in there. As for the tape deck, you might want to consider if it can be fitted with stereo heads. That way you can run 4 track tapes on it. Just like using a stereo cartridge with a mono amp. worth looking into. LOTS of 4 track tapes out there.

If I know you, you'll have that thing screaming before the weekend is out! I hope it shines up nice enough to make Doug jealous!! Now THERE's a worthy goal!

I've looked for 4-track heads for the Magnecord but never found any evidence they made them.

Would be nice to triple the tape library for 1/4 the cost!

The tape can record directly from the radio, but not the phono. With the function switch on AM or FM, turn on the tape recorder, set it to "Record", adjust the record level and set the tape in motion. You'll have a 2-track (mono) copy of the radio program. And, yes--the idler wheels are a problem. I also replaced the tension springs on the wheels which made a big difference. MOST IMPORTANT is to properly adjust the take-up and rewind clutches or you'll devour tapes.

The mic should be in that little door on the side of the tape recorder drawer. Hopefully, you have it.

Larry,
I have an RCA price schedule effective June 14, 1955. It's stamped "Received Nov 7 1955 A.O. Carlson. Bruno New York, Inc. The 6-HF-1 lists for $1,600.00, using the inflation calculator that would be equivalent to roughly $13,500 today. By the time it was three years old, it was technically obsolete, it couldn't play a stereo record.

Prices for 1955
House: $22,000
Average income: $4,137
Ford car: $1606-$2944
Milk: $.92
Gas: $.23
Bread $.18
Postage stamp: $.03
Sirloin chops: $ .69 lb.
Pot Roast: $.43 lb.
Eggs, doz.: $.61
Coffee: $.93 lb.
Milk, ½ gal. $.43
Potatoes, 10 lb. bag: $.53
Starkist Tuna, 6 ½ oz. can: $.25 lb.
Oreo cookies, 11¾ .oz pkg: $.39
Potato Salad, pint: $.29
Cracker Jack, 24 pac: $1.49
Apple cider,½ gal.: $.49
Gum Drops, 1½ lb. pkg: $.29
Ivory Soap, 2 bars: $.29
Mickey Mouse lunchbox: $.88
Slinky: $.88
Nylons, pair: $1.00
Home permanent: $1.50
Baseball Glove: $9.95

Actually, I have no choice but to use the studiomatic for now. The RP-205s won't fit the cutout in the drawer.

Is it the RP 217, 218, or 219?
Those are the ones I like.

They'll track and play a record much better than those old buzzard 205's any day.

Food & housing prices don't tell me squat. Tell me how much a pack of cigs were, then I'd understand!

Looking forward to those photos, moses...

Cigarettes cost 25 cents a pack in a vending machine back then, and you'd get a few pennies back inside the cellophane.

The original changer is an RP-218 with heavy brass platter, brass stabilizer arm, black tonearm with interchangable headshells, and four pole motor.

Larry.....
I have never........ NEVER seen an RP-218 with those things you say....... never.
RCA didn't make them that way.
I want to see a photo of that thing.

I assume the changer will be close to this one.

Larry, put the liquor down.

You STILL haven't answered my question which WAS......
to repeat:

Larry: "Actually, I have no choice but to use the studiomatic for now."

ME: "Is it the RP 217, 218, or 219?
Those are the ones I like."

Then YOU said: "The original changer is an RP-218 with heavy brass platter, brass stabilizer arm, black tonearm with interchangable headshells, and four pole motor"

So, I wanna see a RP218 with a brass platter!