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Old Radio tube amps worth getting?

Jayrosc

Jayrosc

Super Member
So there's this yard sale down the street from where a guy has three very old tube radios, the table top kind, sitting there. Very poor condition, but all three have tube amps and all of the tubes intact. Are these things worth anything? Or should I just keep on walkin'......
 
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Take them if they are actually cheap!

Anyway it is difficult to discuss the value of these radios, when we do not know brand and model.
 
Yeah, we need more details.

More likely to be worth $5 than $50 or $500, but tube radios are tons of fun! Just be aware that if they are AM-only (likely)... they're AM only.

You said that they're in "very poor condition"... not a good sign. But hey, you gotta take the plunge sometime. Offer him $10 for all three :)

Mike
 
HarmanKardon said:
Take them if they are actually cheap!

Anyway it is difficult to discuss the value of these radios, when we do not know brand and model.
Click to expand...

I'll go back and take a look. The names were so strange and unfamiliar that I can't recall what they were. I'm not looking for old radio restoration projects, but I recently was looking into getting an old RCA console with a tube amp in it and learned just enough about it from you guys here to be curious. Was thinking that perhaps the amps in these radios could be used as a couple mono amps...something like that.
 
Most old radio's don't have anything useful for audio use except for power transformers(possibly)or some tubes, most, do not have quality output transformers.Old radios may have 45,or 2A3 tubes for some amps.Newer radios may have 12AX7's, 6BQ5"s(EL84)
 
If they are worth restoring 10 bucks is a good price. That is how I first got into the "tube game" years ago. Restoring them can be fun and rewarding. It will also sharpen your skills in general. Got any pics?
 
Be aware that most tube table radios are "hot chassis" designs. No power transformer. But they may be of interest to some people in the antique radio forum.
 
I've seen a rather large Magnavox radio with a dedicated power amp but that's mostly an exception to the rule.
Unlike many old tube consoles that have separate power amps most radios have it all in one chassis which would mean a lot of work just for a 1-5 watt mono amp.
The hot chassis radios are pretty useless for amp use since all the tubes need to be part of the circuit to work so you can't separate the receiver from the amp section easily.
 
I've restored several Zenith table top radios from the late 50's or early 60's and love them. For sure, they aren't comparable to tube integrated amps or separates--for one thing they're mono. But, I think their sound is really nice. I use one of mine every morning, and gave another to a friend who loves it.

They're fun to work on also, and a great way to begin learning about restoring tube equipment.

Allan
 
This is true. If you think your going to find a tube table radio that you can make into a killer tube amp, odds are slim. Not impossible, but slim. But radios are very enjoyable in themselves and are good practice. If it has no power transformer, then yes, it is a hot chassis and will shock you if it's plugged in and you are grounded.
 
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Holy moly. Start trolling antique stores... you'll see (likely) comparables popping up from $7-$15.

Agreed with all above that radios are a fun way to cut your teeth on tube gear. Also agreed with above that the AA5 (series heaters, transformerless) jobers are probably not a good way to start unless you're really into the aesthetics of that particular unit and AM radio.

Mike
 
Not to minimize the danger as it's very real, but it's nothing an isolation transformer can't cure. Or just be careful and make sure you are not touching anything that goes to ground. Easier said than done sometimes.

I've worked on hot chassis sets for over thirty years and yes I have been zapped a few times. Nothing like getting zapped by the anode wire of a color TV though.
 
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