A very tidy unit.

Thank you again for all the great comments! They've all been a pleasure to read.
The passion here is admirable.

I did connect my garage desktop speakers to the radio. Kept the dim bulb in circuit so power at circa 160V to the transformer.

After around 40 years of hibernation, the unit has worked perfectly. I haven't heard AM for decades; the AM sound is quite amazing. I've had it running for hours. The smell of the valves has brought me back to my early teens playing Led Zeppelin IV through this very amplifier...

Its a nice clean sound. Has to be the valves. I have a Luxman mid 80's 'Hybrid' amp (LV105u) which features 2 valves for the mid range; its a sweet amp also and has the valves visible through a sight glass on the front. They're beautiful, why hide them..

This Australian radio is an absolute testament to the quality of electronics at the time; I know some bits were Japanese in it and this is a basic unit but it is just so beautiful to watch and admire. Looking at the radio tune the stations had my kids (in their early 20's) and myself in awe. Bit of a bids nest underneath but all beautiful nevertheless!

I have taken all your expert advice and will just be connecting in a Wi-Fi board of some description. I have seen one that may suit and would be keen to see your feedback on the below. About $209AUD on AliExpress:

https://www.arylic.com/products/up2stream-hd-dac

Next is fixing the tape deck and the Garrad 'pickup'.

I'm pretty sure my dad paid either $25 or $45 dollars for it in 1969; I can't exactly remember the number.

Looks like a nice unit, and should "just work". Low-value Japanese electros of the period would most likely have gone short-circuit by now, but those filter caps should be fine.

It's just the rubber bits that might need a close look at.

Lovely unit.

my dad paid either $25 or $45 dollars for it in 1969

Adjusted for inflation that's $367 or $660 in today's money (Source: RBA)

'Good enough' Bluetooth boards are very cheap. They can be powered from 5 volts DC derived by rectifying and regulating the 6.3V AC filament supply.

After seeing the pictures, I am very happy that you will keep the unit in original condition with as little modification as possible. As Brad suggested, keep any changes reversible so you can get back to original.
It is an excellent example of a top-of-range radio.

The 'Rola' speakers don't excite me. They'll need to go.
Why replace the speakers with probably less efficient speakers that were probably designed for an enclosed chamber and may not match the impedance of the Rolas. Stick with Rolas, as the designers intended.

Harold

No need to change any caps in that unit.
Anocap polyesters and Elna electros.
It's good to go!

I second the comments from earlier in the thread. Do not switch-out the speakers. The originals were never expected to pump out bass lines from Led Zeppelin...but you will warm to the sound of 60/70's music played on it, especially classicals like Dvorak's 'New World'. Anyway putting in modern speakers that can handle 100w is overkill and then you have the cabinet acoustics to consider. Dont go there.

Put in a mid-range priced ceramic cartridge if you are not playing 78's. The autochanger is not brilliant but is in line with the rest of the set-up.
Radio-wise there is very little to listen to on AM now. You could rig-up an FM tuner into the circuit I am sure, however when I had mine I left it alone and just admired the look and warm sound as it was intended. Good luck with whatever you do.

I agree with the comments on speakers. There is sometimes a misconception that a more powerful loudspeaker can deliver a better result but this is rarely the case, especially when the user of the system is egged on to crank up the volume. The output waveform will flatline, causing the speakers to overheat and burn out. It's much the same as pumping DC into the voice coils and they cannot handle it.

Stick with those that came with the system and they'll tell you when the volume is up too much well before damage can occur.

Well I've experienced co-incidences but this is crazy. I found a similar Precedent Taperecordergram yesterday online and picked it up today. The output transformers are stamped 1969, the changer is an early Garrard Autoslim, just an AM radio and the recorder is a BSR TD2 single speed.

Early days yet but there is a problem in the main radio chassis. The radio and record changer switch on separately from the recorder and when the recorder is 'Off' I have the following:

1) There is a constant heavy LOW hum irrespective of the volume setting or which input is selected (gram or radio or recorder). Two of the main chassis electro caps are blue Samhwa which I think means they have been changed once before. The other is grey and original Australian, I think. Question: Is a very loud LOW hum a cap issue or is it something else I should be looking at.

2) The volume control when increased will suddenly emit a shrill shrieking sound...not constant, but a high pitched sound almost like glass being scratched or a sharp scream. Sometimes also a really intense 'click'. It is NOT like a dirty potentiometer crackling.

3) There is no sound when the record stylus is touched on 'GRAM'.. and radio stations cannot be heard when on 'RADIO'.

4) Upon switching the recorder 'ON' the hum intensifies to the extent I have to turn the recorder off.

Any assistance appreciated.

Quite a coincidence! They're hard to resist. They're just so beautiful!

Multisonics in Preston Victoria had one for sale. I think it was around $1,000 or just under.
Was proudly displayed in their front window. I used to admire it everytime I drove past but its now gone.
Likley sold to a lucky owner.
Rare but that's three so far!

I have cleaned the Garrad turntable on mine, works perfectly. Was just a relube and clean. Did not need any more.
I'll re evaluate the cartridge sound again but may take your previous advice regarding fitting a better cartridge.
I have removed the reel to reel and stored it away nicely. I have removed the plywood veneer around the reel to reel and am working on installing a touchscreen with its own power which I'll likely piggy back from the main transformer.

I'm not sure what to suggest with your issues.. Reach out if you need any photos. Perhaps call Multisonics for some advice if no one chimes in?

Good luck.