12-21-2008, 10:47 PM
You might look into the Antique radio discussion site
http://www.antiqueradios.com
There are discussions about all sorts of things.
Zenith radios became sort of a cult item, once one was seen on a popular TV show: "The Waltons". That has been the basis for the Zenith panic here in north America. The "Walton" Zenith cabinet looks like it has a couple of gigantic nostrils for a speaker grille.
I describe Zenith radios as "blue collar" radios. They were always priced to attract the laborer market. The big round "wash machine" dials assured the buyer better reception, because, the bigger the dial, the more stations the radio will receive. (everyone knows that)
Most of them are good performers, though. But, quality-wise, they're way behind Philco and RCA (HMV in your neck of the woods). Zenith is noted for underrated power transformers, and bloated tube counts.
http://www.antiqueradios.com
There are discussions about all sorts of things.
Zenith radios became sort of a cult item, once one was seen on a popular TV show: "The Waltons". That has been the basis for the Zenith panic here in north America. The "Walton" Zenith cabinet looks like it has a couple of gigantic nostrils for a speaker grille.
I describe Zenith radios as "blue collar" radios. They were always priced to attract the laborer market. The big round "wash machine" dials assured the buyer better reception, because, the bigger the dial, the more stations the radio will receive. (everyone knows that)
Most of them are good performers, though. But, quality-wise, they're way behind Philco and RCA (HMV in your neck of the woods). Zenith is noted for underrated power transformers, and bloated tube counts.