Just for a lite note, and a cool kind of posting.
What is your favorite radio in your collection.
Do you like the early ones of the 20's 30's ..
Or are you more into performance radios ?
I have a Hallicrafters SX 100 mark 1 as my favorite performance radio.
The one I just use as a player is a silvertone 1017
has the 3 gang tuner with the RF amp front end. Tone control and a good size oval speaker. tracks on the button with very good sensitivity, selective.
Just would be nice to know if you have a favorite one, tell something about it and why. <> Warren <>

:Just for a lite note, and a cool kind of posting.
:What is your favorite radio in your collection.
:Do you like the early ones of the 20's 30's ..
:Or are you more into performance radios ?
:I have a Hallicrafters SX 100 mark 1 as my favorite performance radio.
:The one I just use as a player is a silvertone 1017
:has the 3 gang tuner with the RF amp front end. Tone control and a good size oval speaker. tracks on the button with very good sensitivity, selective.
:Just would be nice to know if you have a favorite one, tell something about it and why. <> Warren <> Hello Warren.This is a cool question.I am from Ontario and have been into tube radios for a few years now.I could go on and on about all the tonal qualities and subtle differences of all my radios,but as far as HiFidelity is concerned I would have to say my Sears Silvertone 1960's Cuctom Stereophonic.I paid $100 for it a couple years ago from a Cash Converters store.Can't believe people get rid of these.Anyways,it uses 4 6BQ5 output tubes 2 per channel.I have it hooked up to my television VCR AND DVD.When you play a song like "WITCHITA LINEMAN" or "STAR WARS" movie soundtrack etc. the sound is unbelievable.Bring you to tears ,it is so warm and rich!I also have an Airline "Montgomery Ward " 1950's or 60's console that I have hooked up to an enormous guitar amp speaker cabinet that I built.It to sounds so rich and (compressed)even without tweeters!You gotta here AM 740 through this.This stereo has a tube rectifier and 1 6BQ5 per channel.I listen to all the old radio shows like The Shadow and The Whistler Gunsmoke and X MINUS 1 etc.on these.(AM 900 CHML Hamilton plays these at night.Also have an RCA model 5T5 wooden tabletop that has a cosy mellow sound.Recently I purchased a Deforest -Crosley high boy 1920's or early 30's and it is being shipped to me and I don't know the model and it needs restoration.I imagine it has 45 or 71A power triodes.Have heard these have a distinct sound and can hardly wait to get it running.These TRF radios are a whole new thing for me and I am very excited about it.LONG LIVE TUBE RADIOS!!!!Chris

i have one of those rca radios with the gold wavy ridges on the front. i dont remember the model number but it has a nice big speaker and sounds awesome. nice warm lows and crisp highs. i want to get a counsel radio next and i bet those sound good.

:Just for a lite note, and a cool kind of posting.
:What is your favorite radio in your collection.
:Do you like the early ones of the 20's 30's ..
:Or are you more into performance radios ?
:I have a Hallicrafters SX 100 mark 1 as my favorite performance radio.
:The one I just use as a player is a silvertone 1017
:has the 3 gang tuner with the RF amp front end. Tone control and a good size oval speaker. tracks on the button with very good sensitivity, selective.
:Just would be nice to know if you have a favorite one, tell something about it and why. <> Warren <>

:i have one of those rca radios with the gold wavy ridges on the front. i dont remember the model number but it has a nice big speaker and sounds awesome. nice warm lows and crisp highs. i want to get a counsel radio next and i bet those sound good.
:Hello Jake.Yes ,a console will REALLY bring up the low end bass punch
::Just for a lite note, and a cool kind of posting.
::What is your favorite radio in your collection.
::Do you like the early ones of the 20's 30's ..
::Or are you more into performance radios ?
::I have a Hallicrafters SX 100 mark 1 as my favorite performance radio.
::The one I just use as a player is a silvertone 1017
::has the 3 gang tuner with the RF amp front end. Tone control and a good size oval speaker. tracks on the button with very good sensitivity, selective.
::Just would be nice to know if you have a favorite one, tell something about it and why. <> Warren <>

::i have one of those rca radios with the gold wavy ridges on the front. i dont remember the model number but it has a nice big speaker and sounds awesome. nice warm lows and crisp highs. i want to get a counsel radio next and i bet those sound good.
::Hello Jake.Yes ,a console will REALLY bring up the low end bass punch
:::Just for a lite note, and a cool kind of posting.
:::What is your favorite radio in your collection.
:::Do you like the early ones of the 20's 30's ..
:::Or are you more into performance radios ?
:::I have a Hallicrafters SX 100 mark 1 as my favorite performance radio.
:::The one I just use as a player is a silvertone 1017
:::has the 3 gang tuner with the RF amp front end. Tone control and a good size oval speaker. tracks on the button with very good sensitivity, selective.
:::Just would be nice to know if you have a favorite one, tell something about it and why. <> Warren <>

:Just for a lite note, and a cool kind of posting.
:What is your favorite radio in your collection.
:Do you like the early ones of the 20's 30's ..
:Or are you more into performance radios ?
:I have a Hallicrafters SX 100 mark 1 as my favorite performance radio.
:The one I just use as a player is a silvertone 1017
:has the 3 gang tuner with the RF amp front end. Tone control and a good size oval speaker. tracks on the button with very good sensitivity, selective.
:Just would be nice to know if you have a favorite one, tell something about it and why. <> Warren <>

This is a very difficult question for me to answer, because I like them all. Usually my favorite would be my most recent restoration or rebuild of a basket case set. Right now my favorite is a 1950 Buick "Big Boomer", which I have converted to 120 volt operation, and which sets on my desk at the office. Probably my all-time favorite would be a Sparton Equasonne, which was given to me when I was 16. (I am now 64). The Equasonne is a unique circuit with a four-gang tuner ahead of everything, five RF stages that are not tuned, a detector, and push-pull output with two Cardon C-585 tubes. (Same as 250, later 50.) Two 281(81) rectifier tubes. Beautiful solid walnut floor standing cabinet. Model number unknown. From 1929. Ed M

:Just for a lite note, and a cool kind of posting.
:What is your favorite radio in your collection.
:Do you like the early ones of the 20's 30's ..
:Or are you more into performance radios ?
:I have a Hallicrafters SX 100 mark 1 as my favorite performance radio.
:The one I just use as a player is a silvertone 1017
:has the 3 gang tuner with the RF amp front end. Tone control and a good size oval speaker. tracks on the button with very good sensitivity, selective.
:Just would be nice to know if you have a favorite one, tell something about it and why. <> Warren <>

This is a very difficult question for me to answer, because I like them all. Usually my favorite would be my most recent restoration or rebuild of a basket case set. Right now my favorite is a 1950 Buick "Big Boomer", which I have converted to 120 volt operation, and which sets on my desk at the office. Probably my all-time favorite would be a Sparton Equasonne, which was given to me when I was 16. (I am now 64). The Equasonne is a unique circuit with a four-gang tuner ahead of everything, five RF stages that are not tuned, a detector, and push-pull output with two Cardon C-585 tubes. (Same as 250, later 50.) Two 281(81) rectifier tubes. Beautiful solid walnut floor standing cabinet. Model number unknown. From 1929. Ed M

I found an old 1955 Caddy radio at a swap meet once.
It was in fair shape. I did an over all repair and restore, used a solid state vibrator. I was able to mount it in an old wood table model cabinet. It came out looking very classic one of a kind. I gave it away as a gift to a good friend, who still plays it. Gave a lifetime warranty with it too. It has been playing strong for the last 3 years.

:I found an old 1955 Caddy radio at a swap meet once.
:It was in fair shape. I did an over all repair and restore, used a solid state vibrator. I was able to mount it in an old wood table model cabinet. It came out looking very classic one of a kind. I gave it away as a gift to a good friend, who still plays it. Gave a lifetime warranty with it too. It has been playing strong for the last 3 years.

When I was a teenager, I had access to an auto junk yard, and a friend who worked there gave me car radios. Another friend gave me old TVs. Many I stripped for parts, but many car radios I mounted in nicely made home-made wood cabinets, and sold for a good price. Most tube type car radios would run off the 6.3 volt filament winding of a TV transformer, if one just removes the vibrator, and shorts the socket to provide 6.3 VAC to one side of the primary of the vibrator transformer. For others I provided a separate 250 volt DC B+ supply. I did not fully comprehend what I was doing in regards to power supply, and it is a wonder I did not burn someone's house down. The TV transformers high voltage winding was too high - so I took apart and rewound. For a bobbin, I glued together pieces of a cardboard corn flakes box! At least I did incorporate a fuse or a light bulb in series.

Ed M

Awesome idea for topic. Large console wise I like my Crosley Super 11. Good sound, quick and easy to tune, and with the gold reflective background it looks and sounds impressive.
Table top wise it is a draw. Either my Bendix 526B-incredible reception and art deco look, or the Crosley 11-100 "bullseye" set. Just for tone, size, and general overall awesome layout. Tuning needle in middle of speaker grill with good tone out of such a little set?! Amazing. Awesome topic. Come on people, share your favorites. Neat to see what other like radio wise.

Those are some nice radios Joe. The Silvertone 1017 also has the pointer needle right in the middle of the oval speaker with a baffle. The needle lights up red, with a 4 watt bulb below.

http://radioatticarchives.com/radio.htm?radio=2974

:Just for a lite note, and a cool kind of posting.
:What is your favorite radio in your collection.
:Do you like the early ones of the 20's 30's ..
:Or are you more into performance radios ?
:I have a Hallicrafters SX 100 mark 1 as my favorite performance radio.
:The one I just use as a player is a silvertone 1017
:has the 3 gang tuner with the RF amp front end. Tone control and a good size oval speaker. tracks on the button with very good sensitivity, selective.
:Just would be nice to know if you have a favorite one, tell something about it and why. <> Warren <>

Interesting topic Warren. I've got 3 sets that are my favorites. Like you, my Hallicrafters SX100 Mark 1 tops the list only because it was the most work to restore and I always wanted one as a kid but couldn't afford. Works like new now and hooked up to a big Hallicrafer R46B speaker produces some great sound. All around for looks and sound is my Crosley Super 8 model 817 with its attractive finish and gold mirror dial. New decals and finish really make this radio stand out like it was brand new. Lastly, my most treasured is an old Peter Pan Manuf Company model 45 which is a small table top with airplane dial with Peter Pan figure overlay. The two tone wooden cabinet has a really unique shape that even my wife enjoys having on the shelf in our living room!

Thanks for posting the topic. Enjoy contributing and reading the responses. Regards to all from the Middle East!

Thanks for the input about your SX Radio .. I have had a couple Crosley radios. Wood table models 6 tube. Restored them and refinish with Linseed oil and a turpentine 50/50 mix, then hand rub tree wax. Came out very good and are now in good homes. I found a Cinderella pink and blue clock radio at a thrift store for $5.00 .. Had the 50C5 35W4 and all .. That one my 15 year old Grand Daughter has still in her bedroom.

Hi Warren,
Mine is the Zenith 8H832 or 8H032. These are among the oldest radios that can receive modern FM. The 8H032 was built in 1946, the 8H832 in 1948. Both have the archaic 45Mc FM band as a bonus.
These are wooden radios and have the radio organ feature for stellar audio. These are transformer radios and have an RF input stage that serves both FM and Standard broadcast, so they really pull in stations.
Both are susceptable to silver mica disease and the 8H832 susceptable spontaneous transformer distruction, so they can be challenging to restore.
The wood looks really good and the large size helps make the sound great.
The 8H032 has an electrodynamic spreaker, the youngest radio I know of that has this and the only modern FM that I know of that uses it.
These come in console versions, too. Everytime one shows up on eBay I start to drool.

Best Regards,

Bill Grimm

Nice Bill .. I have a Zenith propeller dial AM/FM that I have not even looked into yet. It's kind of an off red color and I'm not sure the model. It's all there and in good looking shape. Right now I have this S-38A Hallicrafters all apart. Someone has replaced the under chassis filter with a can mount. Only problem with that is the can hits the back of the speaker, making the cabinet hot.

:Nice Bill .. I have a Zenith propeller dial AM/FM that I have not even looked into yet. It's kind of an off red color and I'm not sure the model. It's all there and in good looking shape. Right now I have this S-38A Hallicrafters all apart. Someone has replaced the under chassis filter with a can mount. Only problem with that is the can hits the back of the speaker, making the cabinet hot.

Hi Warren,
I have seen those propeller dial radios, but never cracked one. Nor have I done a bomerang, which also date to 1946. I think the propeller dials date from around 1950.
Your Hallicrafters needs to have the filters replaced again. Shorting to the speaker isn't something you can put up with. In some sets that can toast your power transformer.
Moreover, that can will likely find a happy home in a future restoration.

Best Regards,

Bill Grimm

My favorite was a Philco 42-350, a rather large table model in a classic wood cabinet. It was a disaster when given to me, having sat in a warehouse with water and heat damage. Restored the electronics and wood work, and it played like a typical Philco. GREAT!!

marv

:Just for a lite note, and a cool kind of posting.
:What is your favorite radio in your collection.
:Do you like the early ones of the 20's 30's ..
:Or are you more into performance radios ?
:I have a Hallicrafters SX 100 mark 1 as my favorite performance radio.
:The one I just use as a player is a silvertone 1017
:has the 3 gang tuner with the RF amp front end. Tone control and a good size oval speaker. tracks on the button with very good sensitivity, selective.
:Just would be nice to know if you have a favorite one, tell something about it and why. <> Warren <>

Have to always love a Philco. I have a model 50A that looks like it was well kept. Very nice classic. The other one I did have was like a model 16 but had the shadow meter tuning. Very heavy radio. It had been painted with a heavy coat of white. I had to use a torch and soften the paint. Seems like the paint did preserve the wood under. Was able to bring it all back to looking and working as new. A friend begged me to sell it to him. I did, and he still plays it as a show piece in his home.

Warren,
Sold my 42-350 for quite a handsome profit, and now sits in an executive's den somewhere in ILL.

marv

:Have to always love a Philco. I have a model 50A that looks like it was well kept. Very nice classic. The other one I did have was like a model 16 but had the shadow meter tuning. Very heavy radio. It had been painted with a heavy coat of white. I had to use a torch and soften the paint. Seems like the paint did preserve the wood under. Was able to bring it all back to looking and working as new. A friend begged me to sell it to him. I did, and he still plays it as a show piece in his home.

as far as a large floor console,..my Fairbanks Morse 91C4,.(?)..great sound! only filter caps have been replaced,.love the green eye too..

Table model,...Hmmm,...the Zenith 805 sounds great!, (but the RCA 101 is pretty cool too! )

:Just for a lite note, and a cool kind of posting.
:What is your favorite radio in your collection.
:Do you like the early ones of the 20's 30's ..
:Or are you more into performance radios ?
:I have a Hallicrafters SX 100 mark 1 as my favorite performance radio.
:The one I just use as a player is a silvertone 1017
:has the 3 gang tuner with the RF amp front end. Tone control and a good size oval speaker. tracks on the button with very good sensitivity, selective.
:Just would be nice to know if you have a favorite one, tell something about it and why. <> Warren <>

My favorite would have to be my Westinghouse WR8 - a console radio that looks like an Art Deco grandfather clock. My best performer would be my Zenith AM-FM, the kind with the propeller dial and tone control in the middle. Mark from Kalamazoo

I have a Zenith propeller dial that I have not even looked into yet. This one is an off red, Needs a good cleaning, but otherwise in good condition.

:I have a Zenith propeller dial that I have not even looked into yet. This one is an off red, Needs a good cleaning, but otherwise in good condition.

I have one of these Zeniths (Y-825): GREAT sound.
I need another propeller with a 1 1/4" shaft. Willing to part with yours?

:I have a Zenith propeller dial that I have not even looked into yet. This one is an off red, Needs a good cleaning, but otherwise in good condition.

I have one of these Zeniths (Y-825): GREAT sound.
I need another propeller with a 1 1/4" shaft. Willing to part with yours?

:I have a Zenith propeller dial that I have not even looked into yet. This one is an off red, Needs a good cleaning, but otherwise in good condition.

I have one of these Zeniths (Y-825): GREAT sound.
I need another propeller with a 1 1/4" shaft. Willing to part with yours?

Had a look at your radio on the radio attic sight. That's a very regal looking set. Seems to have it's own kind of style. I can see where you are proud of that one.

Well let me chime in on this subject. I have 18 completed radios stashed around the house and love them all. If I had to pick a favorite it would be my Philco 37-610 Big Bullet. I recapped everything Electrolytics, Micas, and Wax/Paper, also put all new resistors. It is a real workhorse! I've put hundreds of hours playing time on it and it still works great with excellent sound. Something about the Porthole dial that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Know what you mean about radio dials. I had this great looking tombstone Sparton with a big round dial. The dial is very colorful, and lights up with a warm yellowish tint. Had a large electromagnet speaker that put out the sound to fill a large room. That one still lives in a good home.