09-21-2012, 07:56 PM
Hi everyone,
I have been searching to acquire a 1955 Philco model TPA-1 All-Transistor portable 45rpm phonograph for over 10 years. And I just recently had finally acquired this "Rare" Philco item, which was one of Philco's FIRST consumer products to use transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
Philco had first announced its "NEW" consumer product using transistors in the Summer of 1955 and started selling it to the market in the fall of 1955 ($59.95), for Philco's 1956 season of its new line of radios and phonographs. This 1955 Philco consumer product, was the World's FIRST All-Transistor phonograph to be developed and produced. After the 1956 season had ended, Philco had decided to discontinue the All-Transistor portable 45rpm phonograph models, for transistors were too expensive compared to vacuum tubes.
Philco's All-Transistor portable 45rpm phonographs came in (2) models, which were TPA-1(M-32) and TPA-2(M-32A). The "TPA" stands for "Transistor Phonograph Amplifier" and its circuitry used (3) Philco Germanium PNP alloy-junction transistors (NO Vacuum Tubes). These models played only 45rpm records and used (4) 1.5v "D" batteries for its power supply. And the phonograph tone arm contained and uses a monaural Astatic crystal pickup cartridge with a "K" 1 mil. diamond or sapphire stylus needle (Philco Part #325-8001 cartridge assembly). This Astatic crystal cartridge needle assembly, delivers a 3.0v voltage output and uses a 10 gram tracking force for the phonograph tone arm.
The Philco model TPA-1 All-Transistor portable 45rpm phonograph that I have just acquired, is in "Like New" condition. The phonograph's wood cabinet (9" x 8" x 6.5"), is covered with a dark green leatherette material and has a leather carrying strap on top. The circuitry is 100% original, with its (3) Philco transistors (L-5021, L-5022) all having date codes of (5542), which is the 42nd week of 1955. And underneath the record platter is another printed date code (541), which is the 41st week of 1955. The inside transistor circuitry drives a 4" permanent magnet dynamic speaker, inside the front of the wood cabinet, which gives this unit good sound acoustics and volume.
And best of all....
It still contains the original Astatic crystal cartridge with Astatic "K" red 1 mil. diamond stylus needle and this unit still works "Great". I have made a short film clip of it and added it onto YouTube. I have also added this YouTube video clip at the very end of this information page, for all to see.
Finally, if anyone has either of these Philco models TPA-1 and TPA-2, please contact me thru my PM (private mail).
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...d3d640.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...a294dc.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...281fa1.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...3714fe.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...281955.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...ct1955.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...86839d.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...8ef114.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...a1449e.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...5831d8.jpg]
Thanks and hope that everyone enjoys the above info.
Rick
I have been searching to acquire a 1955 Philco model TPA-1 All-Transistor portable 45rpm phonograph for over 10 years. And I just recently had finally acquired this "Rare" Philco item, which was one of Philco's FIRST consumer products to use transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
Philco had first announced its "NEW" consumer product using transistors in the Summer of 1955 and started selling it to the market in the fall of 1955 ($59.95), for Philco's 1956 season of its new line of radios and phonographs. This 1955 Philco consumer product, was the World's FIRST All-Transistor phonograph to be developed and produced. After the 1956 season had ended, Philco had decided to discontinue the All-Transistor portable 45rpm phonograph models, for transistors were too expensive compared to vacuum tubes.
Philco's All-Transistor portable 45rpm phonographs came in (2) models, which were TPA-1(M-32) and TPA-2(M-32A). The "TPA" stands for "Transistor Phonograph Amplifier" and its circuitry used (3) Philco Germanium PNP alloy-junction transistors (NO Vacuum Tubes). These models played only 45rpm records and used (4) 1.5v "D" batteries for its power supply. And the phonograph tone arm contained and uses a monaural Astatic crystal pickup cartridge with a "K" 1 mil. diamond or sapphire stylus needle (Philco Part #325-8001 cartridge assembly). This Astatic crystal cartridge needle assembly, delivers a 3.0v voltage output and uses a 10 gram tracking force for the phonograph tone arm.
The Philco model TPA-1 All-Transistor portable 45rpm phonograph that I have just acquired, is in "Like New" condition. The phonograph's wood cabinet (9" x 8" x 6.5"), is covered with a dark green leatherette material and has a leather carrying strap on top. The circuitry is 100% original, with its (3) Philco transistors (L-5021, L-5022) all having date codes of (5542), which is the 42nd week of 1955. And underneath the record platter is another printed date code (541), which is the 41st week of 1955. The inside transistor circuitry drives a 4" permanent magnet dynamic speaker, inside the front of the wood cabinet, which gives this unit good sound acoustics and volume.
And best of all....
It still contains the original Astatic crystal cartridge with Astatic "K" red 1 mil. diamond stylus needle and this unit still works "Great". I have made a short film clip of it and added it onto YouTube. I have also added this YouTube video clip at the very end of this information page, for all to see.
Finally, if anyone has either of these Philco models TPA-1 and TPA-2, please contact me thru my PM (private mail).
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...d3d640.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...a294dc.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...281fa1.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...3714fe.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...281955.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...ct1955.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...86839d.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...8ef114.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...a1449e.jpg]
[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg63...5831d8.jpg]
Below is the YouTube Video link Just "Click" on it to watch .....
Thanks and hope that everyone enjoys the above info.
Rick
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