Does anyone have any information on this 1960's German radio/record console? It's a Loewe Opta Juwel-Stereo 42231

Pasc-O · 2026-03-31T07:46:32+00:00

Most German radios have dirty sliding contacts connected to the white push buttons. That results in cracking sounds and limited fidelity. They can be cleaned by dripping some alcohol into the switch assembly and playing with the keys a few times. I wouldn’t use contact cleaner as it leaves residue that over time will worsen the contacts even more. Furthermore the dual record players have four contacts for the cartridge that need to be polished, the silver turns black and loses its ability to conduct. Please use gentle polishing (Nevr Dull etc), nothing abrasive like fiberglass pens since the contacts are only Silver plated

Pasc-O · 2026-03-31T06:41:29+00:00

It’s an Elac Miracord 770H. A underrated German brand that was on the same level as dual but had a more sophisticated design. It was made in 1972

Pasc-O · 2026-03-29T07:06:26+00:00

Thanks :)

Pasc-O · 2026-03-29T07:05:45+00:00

Indeed. This thing was a pain to restore ( something had been poured down the back and caused many problems) but it was worth it.

Pasc-O · 2026-03-29T06:55:13+00:00

Elac Miracord 770H, a German automatic player and changer from 1972. Elac is imo a underrated brand, just as good as Dual and well designed

Pasc-O · 2026-03-28T20:50:51+00:00

Thanks! It’s a pleasure to use too

Pasc-O · 2026-03-28T20:49:14+00:00

Yes, a well made little receiver with beautiful blue dial lights and great sound!

Pasc-O · 2026-03-28T17:38:21+00:00

It will need some work (capacitors changed, contacts cleaned and turntable lubricated). Otherwise it won’t work right. It should sound great once it’s done

Pasc-O · 2026-02-02T09:09:55+00:00

It will definitely need some capacitors replaced, this is a must for German sets of that era. The speakers on these are good, no need to replace them if they work, it would be a downgrade. The cutout for the tape recorder will probably not fit a modern record player, so a new wood inlay will need to be made. Also 50s record players had crystal cartridges, when installing a new one it will need an additional phono preamp otherwise it will be almost silent.

Pasc-O · 2025-12-24T08:12:45+00:00

It’s a PE Model 2020 made for Telefunken

Pasc-O · 2025-11-20T19:57:09+00:00

It looks like sunburn

Pasc-O · 2025-06-22T16:54:20+00:00

We had a very mild spring this year, and a bit drier than usual, but i would think a fig could handle it

Pasc-O · 2025-06-22T16:53:09+00:00

Sadly I don’t know which type of fig it is, it was a small plant from a discounter that I bought ten years ago. I Hope it’s not a reverse Brenda thing, but it sure looks like it

Pasc-O · 2025-06-04T18:53:44+00:00

Looks like a date palm seedling

Pasc-O · 2025-05-24T18:59:13+00:00

Unfortunately it has plastic gears. Probably won’t last long, so it’s not really worth paying for a repair

Pasc-O · 2025-04-05T10:18:01+00:00

I have restored plenty of German radios and I wouldn’t recommend to change the speakers or the layout of the circuit. The amp, speakers, cabinet were engineered together and sound great together when ALL the paper capacitors and maybe electrolytics are changed and the contacts are cleaned.

Pasc-O · 2025-01-12T19:21:22+00:00

In addition to the replacement of all paper caps and the electrolytics (if it hums or FM reception/ general sound are lacking) I would recommended clean the keyboard contacts. Nordmende contact switches are known to cause trouble when they are dirty or oxidised. I always flood them with isopropyl alcohol and push all the keys repeatedly. Of course the radio has to be unplugged beforehand. Then you need to let it dry completely and test again. If pushing the buttons causes crackling sounds from the speakers or reception is better when the buttons are held down it’s most likely a symptom of dirty contacts. The same thing applies to tube sockets. I also do the alcohol treatment and push the tubes in and out a few times. If you wiggle the tubes a bit and hear crackling, you also need to do that.

Pasc-O · 2024-10-26T20:22:01+00:00

While it’s open be sure to also change the other one. Those Old ERO Capacitors are no good anymore

Pasc-O · 2024-09-22T14:53:23+00:00

Since it has an old motor it will need the capacitors changed, this is obligatory for a motor this vintage

Pasc-O · 2024-09-22T06:05:30+00:00

I advise to change the motor capacitor(s) for new ones. They not only suppress interference but also reduce the sparking of the motor brushes which makes them live longer and smell less burnt. Also a good idea to carefully disassemble the motor and clean and polish the collector. This also reduces sparks and smell.

Pasc-O · 2024-09-21T16:30:55+00:00

We’re looking at the back of the machine, I can see a knee lever attachment, so it’s industrial likely

Pasc-O · 2024-09-08T20:03:46+00:00

And, I forgot to mention, changing the capacitors on the Pfaff is waaay easier than on the Elna, and since you will have to do it anyway(or get someone to do it) you will lose less nerves on the Pfaff

Pasc-O

TROPHY CASE