Magnavox Concert Grand - Modern 1957 - Black Lacquer

1957 MAGNAVOX CONCERT GRAND 300H IN RARE EBONY FINISH -Total Restoration

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:  The 1957 Magnavox Concert Grand is the FIRST self-contained stereophonic Radio-Phonograph–Tape console unit introduced!  In 1957, there was nothing else like it on the market.  Not only was it fully prepared to play the just-introduced stereophonic records, it also played stereo tapes!  So significant was this new product, that it won BEST OF SHOW at the 1958 Chicago World Music Fair. 

ORAL HISTORY NOTE:  Like many of the finer vintage items, there is an interesting “story” that goes with this fine Magnavox.  It belonged to a Magnavox executive who was awarded it when new.  If this happened today – in 2026 dollars – it would be a gift worth $13,710.  So it is likely that he achieved something of great value to the company.  The storyline goes a bit further to suggest that this rare ebony and gold accented model was specially created for him.  It may very well have been special-ordered because this was not a common finish, though catalogs do show an “Ebony” finish option – and it was Magnavox’s design language of the time to accent black glass dramatically with a gold-vein technique.

EXCLUSIVE MAGNAVOX “I.D.” INTEGRATED DESIGN:  Magnavox achieved higher performance per dollar spent by paying particular attention to how each link in the sound chain would perform with the next.  It was one of the earliest examples of the “holistic” principle of design.  Instead of just “connecting” radio-amp-speakers, EACH component was specifically chosen/engineered for optimal performance with the next.  And – most importantly in a console – this included the cabinet!  Moreover, Magnavox was perhaps the most vertically integrated console manufacturer in the industry as they built cabinets, capacitors, transformers, speakers, radio chassis, amplifier chassis – and eventually even the record changer – in house!  No other manufacturer had the ability to exercise more control over the final product.

Here’s what’s special about EACH of the critical links in the sound chain of the 1957 Magnavox Concert Grand:

CABINETRY: The Concert Grand’s Mid-Century Modern styling was not intended just for interior decorators.  The handsome vertical slats purposefully divert left and right channel sound for the best imaging possible. Additionally, Magnavox cabinets were especially robust as they literally form the sounding board for the rich full-bodied sound signature that made the brand famous.  Magnavox’s cabinet factories employed the same construction techniques used by the finest furniture brands of this era, such as: mortise & tenon joints, a lavish use of screws and wood blocks to support the heavy sound components, and the finest hardwood solids and veneers.

AM-FM TUNER is the culmination of many years of engineering effort to build the finest performing radio chassis ever made.  Features the famed “cat’s eye” tuning tube for highly accurate station tuning.  Combines high sensitivity and noise rejection for maximum enjoyment.

MAGNAVOX IMPERIAL 400 RECORD CHANGER features exceedingly smooth operation with a dynamically balanced 4-pole motor utilizing precision-machined bearings.  Many competitive brands use 2-pole motors with inherently rough operation.  As England was famous for building the finest record changers at the time, Magnavox went to Collaro of Barking, England to build changers for them.  Eventually, Magnavox acquired Collaro and the Barking plant produced more changers than any other maker.

SPEAKERS:  The two tuned 15” woofers used in the Concert Grand were the largest in the console field (one having an enormous magnet of over 3 pounds). This impressive bass capability was complemented by two Exponential Horns that cost ten times as much as competitive cone treble speakers.  They also had 20 times the efficiency of standard cone speakers.  Together, the Concert Grand had an unmatched speaker system.

AMPLIFIER:  The Concert Grand employs a dual-channel main amplifier, which eliminates intermodulation distortion by running bass and treble signals through separate amplification circuits.  This is an expensive approach, but the best as well for the ultimate in faithful reproduction.

STEREO TAPE DECK:  is a half-track unit, the same system used later in many studio machines such as Studer/Revox.  Also similar to professional tape units, the Magnavox deck utilizes THREE motors: one for the capstan, and one dedicated to EACH reel.  Tape transport is smooth and confident with very speedy fast-forward and reverse modes.  The unit will play pre-recoded 2-Track tapes in the “stacked” (inline) head configuration of the time (but not the later 4-track stereo tapes).  The record function is mono-only.

A $13,710 INSTRUMENT:  this model retailed for $1195 upon its introduction in 1957.  According to the current CPI Inflation Calculator, that is equivalent to $13,710 in 2026 dollars.

So if you love MCM furniture and want the very finest Stereo Radio-Phonograph-Tape console of the classic tube era…this is it!

THE ULTIMATE WAY TO ENJOY VINTAGE VINYL:  Both recording industry engineers and Magnavox engineers knew the state of the art of their respective businesses in the 1950s.  So they designed BOTH the vinyl LPs and Phonographs of their time to complement each other.  The result?  Vintage vinyl – to many ears – sounds best on vintage equipment.

And, dollar-for-dollar there was NO Radio-Phonograph equipment that performed as well as what Magnavox offered.  This is what made them the world’s largest selling Stereo High-Fidelity brand and also inspired Fortune Magazine to publish their Magnavox Goes Its Own Golden Way article in February 1964.

IF YOU INSIST ON THE FINEST...THIS is the vintage Radio-Phonograph you will want. 

THE MAGNAVOX COMPANY invented the Electro-Dynamic Loudspeaker in 1915, coined the term “Stereophonic” in the 1930s, introduced the first High-Fidelity instrument in 1937, and then followed with the first stereo console in 1957 (this Concert Grand) followed by the World's First complete line of Stereo Consoles in 1958.  Magnavox was the envy of the Electronics Industry throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Forbes Magazine (January 1, 1970 issue) named Magnavox as one of the TOP TEN best-run companies in the U.S.

Few companies in the history of US industry so dominated a category as Magnavox did in the fields of Stereo High Fidelity and quality Television.

UNIQUE STUDIO-TYPE SOUND CONTROLS - The Concert Grand has THREE tone controls:  Studio-design Step Bass and Step Treble permit the listener to adjust Treble frequencies without sacrificing Bass response...and to adjust Bass without affecting Treble response.  On conventional competitive sets, the adjustment of Treble diminishes Bass, and vice-versa.  Finally, an additional and Magnavox-exclusive Timbre control is provided to further tailor the sound to taste (full or narrowed frequency range) after the Step Bass and Step Treble controls have been optimized.

FULLY & PROFESSIONALLY SERVICED - YES...EVERYTHING WORKS!  EQUALLY important as Magnavox’s creation of this spectacular console, is the painstaking restoration done by Dan Bogel.  He is known nationwide via his frequent Facebook postings for his expertise and thoroughness.  The cabinet was completely emptied of ALL components.  Then it was stripped/re-finished to exacting standards, including the re-creation of the dramatic black/gold glass panels.  There was also extensive capacitor replacement, circuit tracing & repair, tube testing, etc.  Weeks and weeks went by before this Concert Grand emerged in all its restored glory as you see it now. There literally is NOTHING closer to “new” performance in the 1950s “tube” era than this Magnavox Concert Grand!

FINAL COMMENTS, NOTES & CONDITIONS OF SALE:  Yes...today...everything works.  However, please understand that this is a near 70-year old item that required periodic maintenance when new, and certainly will in the future to remain fully operational.  Like classic cars that are now more than a half-century old, an adjustment or repair – even with the best restored examples – may be needed at any time.  Most larger communities have a few experienced electronics shops that will help you maintain this beautiful piece. Shipping, crating, packing is the buyers responsibility although we can help with arrangements for US Buyers only please.