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Old 17th Sep 2019, 1:04 pm   #1
Nickthedentist
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Default Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to put together an ID thread for Dynatron self-contained record players.

All going well but has anyone seen a GR6 or GR7?

They're covered in the 1962-63 red book by the GR3/GR4 "Mazurka" section, so presumably they use the same chassis in a different cabinet, with the GR6 being single-play and GR7 being auto, but I can't find any other reference to them online.

The GR3/GR4 manual implies that the name "Mazurka" refers to the cabinet style, so presumably the GR6/GR7 have their own name too.

BTW, the GR5 is the portable "Espresso" model, quite different from the above.

Can anyone help with info or pics, please?

Cheers,

Nick.
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Old 19th Sep 2019, 10:08 pm   #2
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Hi Nick,

Sorry not to answer your question properly, but I attach some photos of my GR5 in case they may be of interest! One pic is from the service data.

Incidentally the rotary controls on the side panel (not pictured unfortunately) are the same as those on another player I own, an ElPico.

There was another player of another maker that looked virtually identical to the GR5, will try and find a pic.

Will look to see what I can find on the 6 & 7.
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Old 19th Sep 2019, 10:52 pm   #3
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

I don't have the relevant catalogue to hand, but I believe that the GR3/GR4 and the GR6/GR7 were all Mazurka models using the same walnut-veneered cabinet, but in mono and stereo versions, with single player (Garrard 4HF I think) or Collaro auto-changer. Stereo versions had both valve amplifiers in the main cabinet, with a separate speaker to match the main unit, but without any controls. I just checked and the only Mazurka on e**y is a much later Audio Separate from the later sixties. These Mazurkas were high quality players and were relatively expensive. If I can find a photo I'll put it up later.
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Old 19th Sep 2019, 11:05 pm   #4
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

The Cavalcade GR10 (a non-portable version of the GR8), as shown in Phil177's recent post, is in a cabinet styled after the Mazurkas, but with the controls down the right-hand, whereas the controls on the Mazurkas were on the top right of the front panel.
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Old 19th Sep 2019, 11:31 pm   #5
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Just found this photo online. I think its a GR7ST.
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Old 20th Sep 2019, 7:48 am   #6
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

That looks exactly the same as my Mazurka, which at least according to its card back is a GR3 ST. At least, the walnut veneered cabinet, controls, and Garrard 4HF look the same: the knobs may be different as those in the photo appear not to have convex brass brights, but that would be a singular reason for a change of model number.

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Old 20th Sep 2019, 8:19 am   #7
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Thanks everyone for all your replies!

Yes, Paul, my GR3ST is the same too.

As far as I understand it, the GR3 and GR4 are the same, except the former has a 4HF single play deck and the latter a Collaro Studio deck. Both have the same walnut-veneered cabinet as pictured. The suffix denotes whether the second power amp for stereo is already fitted, or has to be fitted as an upgrade. So I suppose that still doesn't tell us what the GR6 and GR7 were.

This is what my notes about the GR3 and GR4 say so far:

Quote:
Released :1963? Reviewed in Gramophone 1964.
Walnut-veneered cabinet (white sycamore interior), known as the "Mazurka"
GR3 has Collaro Studio autochanger
GR4 has Garrard 4HF single player
SA suffix means stereo-adaptable, by using Conversion Kit No. 7
ST suffix denotes stereo, i.e. has second power amp subchassis (LF18/ST) ready-fitted.
All models already have stereo volume and tone-controls (TC18).
Main power/amp chassis = LF18 (+/- LF18/ST second channel power amp).
Valves: ECC83, 2 (or 4) x ECL82, EZ81.
6W or 7W output per channel
Dual speakers, 10"x6" bass and 3½ " highs.
Matching (passive) speaker for stereo = TLS2
Legs optional.
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Old 20th Sep 2019, 8:21 am   #8
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ben View Post
Hi Nick,

Sorry not to answer your question properly, but I attach some photos of my GR5 in case they may be of interest! One pic is from the service data.

Incidentally the rotary controls on the side panel (not pictured unfortunately) are the same as those on another player I own, an ElPico.

There was another player of another maker that looked virtually identical to the GR5, will try and find a pic.

Will look to see what I can find on the 6 & 7.
Much appreciated too, Ben.

N.
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Old 20th Sep 2019, 9:27 am   #9
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ben View Post
Hi Nick,


There was another player of another maker that looked virtually identical to the GR5, will try and find a pic.

Will look to see what I can find on the 6 & 7.
Ben, I think you might be referring to an HMV portable record player from 1960, that looked very similar to the Dynatron Expresso in that it used a "Tape Recorder" styled curved case. It used a Garrard 209, UF89 and UL84 amp and an EMI 9" x 5" speaker. Both made use of the then new ICI "Vynair" coverings that were perforated and so was acoustically very transmissive and with no need for speaker grilles et al.
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Old 20th Sep 2019, 11:56 am   #10
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Someone mentioned a Pye too ISTR.
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Old 22nd Sep 2019, 11:30 pm   #11
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Sorry! Got model numbers wrong. If that's a GR3ST, GR6/7 could be the later ones with Garrard AT6 changer - not sure about the single player.
I'll try to find some info.
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Old 24th Sep 2019, 5:55 pm   #12
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

My GR6SA pictured.

There was an article in the 'Gramophone', which I cannot access now, which referred to the 4HF stereo model

Article | TECHNICAL REPORT Dynatron Mazurka Stereo Record Re- producer, Model GR7ST. Price: 83 gns. Legs: 2 gns. extra. Dynatron Radio Ltd., St. Peters Road, Furze Platt, Maidenhead, Berks, Manufacturers' Specification: | Page 83 - July 1964 - Gramophone Archive

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Old 24th Sep 2019, 7:45 pm   #13
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Alan,

Great to see you posting here again, and thanks so much for the info.

So the GR6 (-SA or -ST) seems to be similar to the GR3, but with a Garrard AT6 changer (instead of Collaro Studio) and with different interior veneer (instead of white sycamore). Whatever it is, it looks the same as used in Hacker Serenades.

Can we assume from your Gramophone report that the GR7 is identical to the GR6 but with a 4HF? But if so, that would mean that the only difference between the GR4 and GR7 is the interior veneer. Surely not?

Cheers,

Nick.
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Old 24th Sep 2019, 7:54 pm   #14
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Uh oh! Just checked my GR4 and it has the same interior veneer as your GR6 Alan, so forget my theories above.
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Old 24th Sep 2019, 10:44 pm   #15
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Nick, the cabinets for the auto and 4HF models differ in the position of the motor board, the length of the balance control shaft and the dimensions and position of the vent for the pre-amp section. IIRC there are other small changes with the pre-amp fixing.

A couple of years ago, I did gain a very poor example of a 4HF GR7SA and had in mind to fit the 4HF in my auto cabinet but decided that there was too much involved to make it look correct, it is not simply swapping over the motor board, which incidentaly was light colour. The 4HF however cleaned up very well and is giving good service, now fitted in a separate plinth.

Alan
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Old 25th Sep 2019, 7:30 am   #16
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Which makes me think besides a move to transistor from valve, was there any difference in quality of sound between the GR8 and the GR9
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Old 25th Sep 2019, 4:35 pm   #17
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Default Re: Anyone ever seen a Dynatron GR6 or GR7 record player?

Nick

The more I recall, the cabinets while looking similar are different in many ways, the GR6 and 7. Even the speaker grill and surround differ, in the 4HF model the grill is angled back slightly at the top, the auto model the surround is equal all round.

I thought that I'd saved the 7 motor board but cannot find it, however pictured the light wood vent from a 7 model showing the difference in height.

Alan
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