Behind the Groove

Vintage vinyl is a big part of the vibe at my home. There’s something so satisfying about thumbing through a stack of records, admiring the large format artwork, removing the disc from it's jacket, dropping it onto the spindle, hearing the low hum of the stereo as you turn the power knob. Enjoying the warm, full sound that comes from a vintage hi-fi system is beyond compare. If you’ve had the pleasure of listening to a vinyl record, I imagine you’d agree, it’s a whole experience.

I’ve had a couple of record players over the years, and looking back, they’ve grown in size and quality from then to now. The smaller units I owned played adequately, but I ultimately wanted to find a quality, complete console with more robust sound. When an incredible mid-’60s piece from a friendly Instagram dealer got on my radar, I jumped at the opportunity to own it. As with many of my purchases, I managed to fit this unit into the VW Beetle (Glen in tow, hugging the dashboard), and we transported it from Stockton to Citrus Heights without a hitch.

For me, this particular console checked all the boxes — a reputable system and quality turntable, all housed in a stunning mid-century piece of furniture in impeccable condition. The stereo-maker, Dominion Electrohome, dates back to 1907 when they were producing hornless phonographs in Kitchener, Ontario Canada. Over the years, the company achieved significant growth and recognition, adding small appliances, electric motors, stereos, NASA video monitors, televisions, and furniture style radios to their production line. Under the name Deilcraft, the company manufactured record consoles and various home furnishings. This particular cabinet is made of teak with a walnut finish. I’m amazed by its appearance after all this time - rich wood tones and a glossy top coat. Someone appreciated and cared for this piece for many years. Even the delicate, carved wood speaker grilles and fabric are in impeccable shape. I’ve not yet seen another cabinet quite like mine, but Electrohome made some beautiful and innovative designs, particularly through the ‘60s and ’70s.

As I researched the history of my particular model (Castanet Mark I), I found that Electrohome continues to make electronics today. They have some pretty cool heritage pieces inspired by their originals, so check them out if you’re looking for a stylish, space-saving record player with lots of modern bells and whistles.

As for the turntable, I was pretty thrilled to find a Garrard AT6 was included in my console. This U.K.-based company got its start in 1915 making range finders for WWI efforts, and producing electric motors and gramophones in the years to follow. According to my mom, my Grandpa (Pa-Paw), a true audiophile and bluegrass musician, swore by Garrard turntables. If it was quality to him, it’s quality to me.

Everything was running smoothly when I powered the unit on, but I found the turntable could use a tune-up and cleaning. I was tempted to take on a little DIY rehabilitation after watching a few online tutorials. However, taking it to an outstanding electronics repair shop less than a mile away felt like the better decision. I was able to remove the turntable from my console fairly easily, and bring it in for servicing. The pros at Rainbow Electronics did a phenomenal job taking great care with my Garrard unit, and were very knowledgeable about working with this particular model. I got it back in my hands within a week, and all I can say is, perfection. The sound, the speed, everything is dialed in, and working like the day it came off the assembly line.

Another thing I love about this Electrohome console is its size. I remember my grandparents had a rather gigantic cabinet that took up significant real estate in their home. It held a lot of records, but it was just massive. This console’s profile is much slimmer — what I consider apartment size — making for a comfortable fit in the listening nook / bar area of the living room.

With about 1,000 records in my collection (and counting), the turntable has been getting a workout on the daily. Listening to an album with a cocktail in my favorite chair has become a regular routine. And when I really need to buckle down to get some housework done, a short stack of albums go on the spindle to keep the energy flowing.

If you’d like to bring some of the vintage vibes from my home into yours, I’ve put together a few selections from my album collection on the Mid-Century Maurer Spotify Station. You can also access individual playlists with the albums below. I’m always adding more content, so be sure to subscribe to the playlists for all the latest fun.

Whether your setup is digital or analog, at home or in the car, I hope you’ll turn up the volume, and enjoy some of my favorite sounds from the mid-century era.

Click any album cover to start listening!