[Arran]

Hi Arran

The 39-116 has five tubes dedicated to Mystery Control processing, the other seven run the main portion of the radio. Plus an 80 rectifier, to make a total of 13 tubes.

Actually, I would think having the original Mystery Control with the radio would be a plus. The controls have often become separated from the radios over the decades.

Yes, if you get it, it will be good if it is a Canadian 39-3116 so you won't have to experience the headache of rubber-covered wiring. I think I am finally going to start restoring my 41-616 next week; wish me luck!

Having the control would be a plus most certainly but unlike many remote controls, like the RCA ones for example, they do turn up fairly regularly on fleabay. The RCA remotes had a cable and socket but unlike the Philco ones they were an extra cost accessory not included with the radio so they are quite rare. As I said I'm not sure that it is a 1939 model as yet, some people get confused since the 1940 versions look similar. I wouldn't necessarily call a 39-116 Low Fi, they still have a push pull power output stage, in my experience that makes a difference over a single ended output in just about any set, although if only seven tubes are dedicated to the radio receiver it is a bit of a step backward in that direction, I noticed that the later Mystery Control sets bumped the actual radio tube count up over the 39-116s. A wireless remote control is a pretty remarkable feature considering the set is from 1939, to the layman that comes off as much more impressive then a set of accoustical resonators whose functionality is questioned even among enthusiests. I have to wonder, if the resonators did anything how come Philco did away with them in 1938 and never brought them back? The only thing I have seen made by someone else with something like an acoustical resonator since Philco dropped the idea was a pair of Japanese stereo speakers from the 70's.
Regards
Arran