Philco 49-1600 no sound - Printable Version

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Philco 49-1600 no sound - Sematary - 10-05-2026

I had actually found a thread about this from a poster from 2021 and someone here had started troubleshooting with the poster but then the op went dark.
So I picked this up at a yard sale the other day. Fell in love immediately. The radio lit up (no hum or static though so I knew something wasn't quite right). The Turntable fired right up. Even the auto works. Unfortunately, there is no sound from the box. Naturally, the first thing I did after getting it home and cleaning it up was to look at the speaker wires. They look good. Solidly connected on both ends. Also looked at the tubes. All the tubes lit up as far as I could tell (red dots of light unlike my 1930's cathedral style radio which are considerably more illuminated). So that is the extent of my troubleshooting to this point - and, honestly, the extent of what I know what to look for. So, any expertise on what to look for in this regards is more than appreciated. I actually know a shop a couple hours or so from me that I could bring it to (the guy recapped a 1972 Magnavox Odyssey for me so I know he knows what he's doing) but, honestly, I'd really like to start learning how to repair my own equipment because he is a dying breed.

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RE: Philco 49-1600 no sound - klondike98 - 10-05-2026

Here's a copy of the schematic/service information for the 49-1600 from our digital library:
https://philcoradio.com/library/download/service%20info/yearbooks/1948-1949/split/Part78-Philco%20Home%20Radio%20Yearbook%201948-1949.pdf

and here's the service info for the record player if you still have the original M9 in it:
https://philcoradio.com/library/download/service%20info/yearbooks/1948-1949/split/Part102-Philco%20Home%20Radio%20Yearbook%201948-1949.pdf

No sound could be a lot of things so a systematic check of the various transformer coils and speaker coils for continuity is usually where I start. If one of those is bad it will need a replacement. A recap of the electrolytic and paper caps is a must do if it hasn't been done recently. Tubes are likely OK but a check on a tube tester may be in order if the recap doesn't bring the set back to life. Check the resistor values as well, some may need replacement also. If you are going to do this yourself, go slowly, one cap at a time where possible and take lots of photos to help when you can't remember where something goes. There are some very skilled folks here that can help with the trouble shooting so feel free to ask questions. Just continue your restoration questions and reports as part of this thread so its easier for folks to follow along.

Should be fun!

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