World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - Printable Version

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World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - electricalengineer1958 - 01-25-2012

Hello,

I am new to this site and I know that this section is mainly about radios. But, I could not find a section on phonographs- so PLEASE excuse me....

I am wondering if anyone has or knows of someone, who might have a 1955 Philco TPA-1 or TPA-2 All-Transistor phonograph that come out in the fall of 1955. Philco only made this item from 1955-56. This Philco model was the World's first all-transistor phonograph that was made. It was a 45rpm portable phonograph that operated operated on (4) 1.5 "D" batteries. The chassis had used (3) Philco germanium alloy-junction PNP type transistors in its circuitry, instead of vacuum tubes.


Thanks Rick

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RE: 1955 Philco TPA-1 or TPA-2 - Ron Ramirez - 04-03-2012

These are actually 1956 models (introduced June 1955).

I have info on these two on my website. I do not, however, have color photos of original models:

TPA-1 - http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1956.htm#ah
TPA-2 - http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1956.htm#ai

It's been a few months and I don't know if the OP stayed with us through the transition to the new Phorum, but one has just been listed on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/130675833860

Looks like a TPA-1.

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - electricalengineer1958 - 09-21-2012

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/gg632/electricalengineer1958/philcoall-transistorphonographarticle1955_zps66d3d640.jpg]

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/philcotransistorphonograph-45rpmbatteryoperated--1955_zpsd1a294dc.jpg]

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/philcoall-transistorphonographinsides1955_zps5a281fa1.jpg]

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/philcoall-transistorphonographdatecode-541_zps813714fe.jpg]

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/PhilcoAll-TransistorPhonographAnnouncement-WallStreetJournalJune281955.jpg]

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/Philcoall-transitorphonographad-PopularScienceMagazineOct1955.jpg]

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/PhilcoTPA-1All-Transistorphonograph-originalpickupcartridgeandneedle-1955_zps8a86839d.jpg]

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/PhilcoTPA-1All-Transistorphonographwarrantycard-dated10-55jpg_zpsfa8ef114.jpg]

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/philcoall-transistorphonographservicearticle1955_zps3fa1449e.jpg]

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/PhilcoTransistorPhonographTPA-11955_zps0b5831d8.jpg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSSDh5-g0lw

Thanks and hope that everyone enjoys the above info.

Rick

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - electricalengineer1958 - 09-28-2012

Hi

I have finally finished my YouTube video on the ....

1955 Philco TPA-1 All-Transistor 45rpm Phonograph, which is the World's First All-Transistor phonograph to be developed and produced.

Below is the YouTube Video link. Just "Click" on it to watch .....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSSDh5-g0lw

The 1955 Philco TPA-1 All-Transistor Phonograph, went on sale to the public in the fall of 1955, for the price of $59.95 .

Below is a Department Store sales advertisement for the Christmas holiday shopping season, in December of 1955.






Thanks and hope that everyone enjoys the above info.

Rick

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - electricalengineer1958 - 10-03-2012

Hi

I was wondering if anyone has the 1955 Philco Model TPA-2 All-Transistor 45rpm phonograph ?


This is the "sister" model to the 1955 Philco TPA-1 and is "identical" to it, except for cosmetic cabinet appearance. The TPA-2 cabinet was slightly wider, for it had a storage compartment on the inside left side, which was used to store your 45rpm records.

Both Philco Models TPA-1 and TPA-2 were the "World's First All-Transistor phonographs" that were developed and produced by Philco in 1955.


[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/PhilcoTransistorPhonographTPA-1servicemanual1.jpg]


Thanks Rick

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - Eliot Ness - 10-04-2012

Very interesting, thanks for sharing your knowledge and excellent documentation! I really liked your short video using Little Richard; I imagine a lot of his 45's were played on these little sets.

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - Jayce - 10-04-2012

All the sites usually talk about the first transistor radio made, but it's always nice to know that Philco was advancing the technology as well. I knew about the Safari television, never knew of these phonographs until now! Very nice article on them. Now I will have to be even more alert when I run across old phonographs. I know of one place that has a pile of them.

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - electricalengineer1958 - 10-04-2012

Hi Jayce,

"Thanks" for looking at all the "Historic" information on the !955 Philco TPA-1 All-Transistor phonograph.

Philco was a "Powerhouse" in the 1950's, as far as its research and development. It produced many "World First" consumer products during this period ....

For example...

1953- World's First High-Frequency Transistor used for computers (Surface-Barrier Transistors)
1955- World's First Transistor car radio (model C-5690)
1955- World's First Transistor portable battery operated Phonograph (models TPA-1, TPA-2)
1957- World's First Transistor Large scale Commercial Computer(Transac S-1000)
1959- World's First Transistor portable battery operated TV (Safari)

Finally, Please let me know if you happen to find the Philco models TPA-1 or TPA-2 phonographs from your source.

Thanks Rick

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - Jayce - 10-04-2012

Getting increasing urge to hunt for one of these. Not usually into transistors, but I need one in the collection!

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - electricalengineer1958 - 10-05-2012

Hi everyone,


I just acquired an August 1955 issue of the "Philco News", which was a monthly magazine that was issued to all of its employees and its authorized dealers.

In this issue, is an article that is written on the "Announcement" of Philco's "New" TPA-1 All-Transistor portable battery operated phonograph., which was the World's First All-Transistor portable phonograph to be developed and produced.

This magazine issue was copied for me, by John at Antique Radio Grill Cloth- "Thanks You".

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/PhilcoTPA-1All-TransistorPhonographPhilcoNewsAug1955issue.jpg]


Rick

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - electricalengineer1958 - 10-08-2012

Hello Everyone,


Below is the original Philco (P-920) 1.5v size "D" batteries, that were used in the 1955 Philco TPA-1 and TPA-2 All-Transistor portable battery operated phonographs. These Philco phonograph models used (4) batteries in its circuitry, which the battery compartment was located at the very bottom of the outside of the phonograph's cabinet. You will also see these "same" batteries, that are pictured in Philco's "Publicity Photo" in the Popular Science Oct 1955 issue, that I have previously posted above onto this thread.




Below is a item called a Philco Stroboscope cardboard disk. It was used on the 1955 Philco TPA-1 All-Transistor phonograph, to adjust the calibration 45rpm record platter speed.




Thanks for watching

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - FXpert - 10-09-2012

Listening to records an a phonograph at the beach, how neat. Hay grampa, whats a phonograph? Sorry couldn't resist, since the new IT guy at work just asked me the same question a few weeks ago.

Very informative, I'll be on the lookout for one.

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - electricalengineer1958 - 10-16-2012

Hello Everyone,


I was searching thru my archive files and I also found an article from the New York Times, which was Philco's official announcement of its "NEW" Consumer product - All-Transistor Portable Battery Operated Phonograph (TPA-1). This Philco consumer product was also the "World's First All-Transistor Phonograph to be developed and produced".

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/PhilcoTPA-1All-Transistorphonographannouncement-NewYorkTimes.jpg]


Below is a schematic for the 1955 Philco Model TPA-1 All-Transistor Phonograph .........

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/philcoModelTPA-1all-transistorphonographserviceschematic.jpg]



Thanks again for watching

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - electricalengineer1958 - 11-09-2012

Hello Everyone,


I also found another article that was written on the 1955 Philco TPA-1 All-Transistor Phonograph, which was the World's First All-Transistor phonograph to be developed and produced. This article was in the 1955 August issue of Electronics magazine.

[Image: http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/electricalengineer1958/PhilcoTPA-1all-transistorphonographarticle-august1955.jpg]

.

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RE: World's First All-Transistor Phonograph developed by Philco-1955 - PhilcoFordTesla - 11-16-2019

                    I just replaced "C1" and got the amp working in my recent eBay score today, sounds pretty darn good with a CD Player lol . . . 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEtvu4ldFts

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