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Packard Bell Model RPC-26S Tube Console

corpblues

corpblues

AK Member
Asking for opinions of fair market value of this console please.

Seems to be collectable and fairly rare, especially in working condition.

I obtained this at an estate sale. There was an interesting looking cabinet pictured so I went to see what it was.

Label on back says packard bell model rcp-26s. The plug end was chewed off so I replaced it and cleaned it up. I cleaned it up, tested the tubes and it is up and running sounding great. The solid wood cabinet is in excellent condtion with hardly a ding on it even after 60 years.

It is a stereo receiver/amp and the tuner has the fm mpx module on it. Garrard record changer clean and lubrication is my next step.

The two speakers can detach from the console or hang on the sides. With the speakers detached the top pieces fold down to reduce the size of the console, pretty ingenious design. Also makes it much easier to move than most vintage consoles.

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@corpblues

Nice find!!!

Here's my thought, in the hierarchy of console stereos I don't think PB sold a lot of these compared to say Magnavox, RCA, Motorola etc.

With not a lot of them out there it would be hard for anyone here to determine "fair market value" on top of that what a console might sell for in the DFW area might have no bearing on what one would go for say in Chicago, Miami or Boston.

You mention it "seems to collectable" are you basing that on research you've already done?

Fwiw, the amp DPA-30 inside is nice amp, I had one for a hot second but liked it for the short period I had it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Pac...HbxmCvkQrQIoBHoECB0QBQ&biw=1279&bih=621&dpr=1
 
Dswankey said:
@corpblues

Nice find!!!

Here's my thought, in the hierarchy of console stereos I don't think PB sold a lot of these compared to say Magnavox, RCA, Motorola etc.

With not a lot of them out there it would be hard for anyone here to determine "fair market value" on top of that what a console might sell for in the DFW area might have no bearing on what one would go for say in Chicago, Miami or Boston.

You mention it "seems to collectable" are you basing that on research you've already done?

Fwiw, the amp DPA-30 inside is nice amp
Click to expand...

I put a picture of it in a Facebook vintage console group I belong to and it generated a LOT of positive comments and one mention of driving a 1,000 miles for one. No one mentioned an amount they would be willing to pay. That’s why I’m trying to figure out a price as I might put it up for sell.
 
As consoles go it is a nice looking unit here's hoping you can get it in the right hands to someone who will appreciate it and is willing to pay a decent price.
 
markshan said:
I should think as a piece of MCM furniture the right person may pay four digits for it. The fact that it plays music on top of that is a bonus, but I suspect it's value is a furniture. It's pretty much the epitome of MCM design.
Click to expand...

What is interesting is there was a also matching cabinet there, but was already sold (darn).
The matching cabinet appeared to have been for a TV but was empty.
Thankfully they did not also buy the console.
 
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One of the coolest looking and versatile consoles I've seen. Those little PB EL-84 push pull amplifiers are nice sounding also. It has the same tu I g eye tube my Dynaco tuner has. If it were mine, I would remove and save the turntable, then drop a more modern turntable with a MM cartridge and phono preamp into it. Its hard to judge a price as is, but if I had the room I would snag it even if it was around $1000 or so, since it will need to have the electronic caps replaced at the very leased.
 
Thanks everyone, seems $1,000 might be fair value from AKer's and other forums. Few said it was something they would dive a lot of miles to get. I am going to clean in up a bit more and perform the need maintenance on the turntable mechanism, then enjoy it for a while, then decide what to do with it. I'm thinking keep it, my wife is thinking otherwise, lol.
 
corpblues said:
Thanks everyone, seems $1,000 might be fair value from AKer's and other forums. Few said it was something they would dive a lot of miles to get. I am going to clean in up a bit more and perform the need maintenance on the turntable mechanism, then enjoy it for a while, then decide what to do with it. I'm thinking keep it, my wife is thinking otherwise, lol.
Click to expand...

Can we get the thread title corrected? It's RPC-26S, not RCP.

Also, FWIW, the amp is DPA30-3 (there are versions up to 30-4, at least) and tuner is 7TU11. There are other PB consoles with these same electronics having cabinets that are nothing special.

I'm curious about the speaker boxes, which are much deeper than the speakers on those other consoles. Are the backs open? The ones I've seen are half as deep and have a pegboard style back.
 
audiotemp said:
Can we get the thread title corrected? It's RPC-26S, not RCP.

Also, FWIW, the amp is DPA30-3 (there are versions up to 30-4, at least) and tuner is 7TU11. There are other PB consoles with these same electronics having cabinets that are nothing special.

I'm curious about the speaker boxes, which are much deeper than the speakers on those other consoles. Are the backs open? The ones I've seen are half as deep and have a pegboard style back.
Click to expand...

Fixed the title. Sorry I'm a bit dyslexic.

Thank you for the model numbers of the amp and tuner, very helpful information.

I have noticed the tuner works very well and stays on station extremly well.

They box is sealed with woodscrews. They are not very heavy speakers and I was surprised by how loud they are. I'll remove the back tomorrow and post a picture of what's inside the speaker cabinets.
 
corpblues said:
Fixed the title. Sorry I'm a bit dyslexic.

Thank you for the model numbers of the amp and tuner, very helpful information.

I have noticed the tuner works very well and stays on station extremly well.

They box is sealed with woodscrews. They are not very heavy speakers and I was surprised by how loud they are. I'll remove the back tomorrow and post a picture of what's inside the speaker cabinets.
Click to expand...
Here's hoping for Tannoys.
 
I am curious as to how the speaker cabs are supported, since there doesn't appear to be a shelf that they sit on.
 
ronrico said:
I am curious as to how the speaker cabs are supported, since there doesn't appear to be a shelf that they sit on.
Click to expand...

Good question!

There is a pin on the bottom and top of the back side of the speaker cabinet. The pin on the top is spring loaded and it pull it down to release it. There is a wood block with hole for the pin on the bottom of the console that rotates out, but rotates underneth the console so you don't see it when the speakers are removed. The hole for the top side is under the top edge of the console. Pretty clever design. My plan is to remove the back of the speaker cabinet latter today to take a peek and picture of what driver is inside them.

CDD67EF6-24DC-4A02-8E2D-40CB8A11DC7F.jpeg ADE9C975-70F8-405B-A5D0-311C46EE0A2B.jpeg
 
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I picked up a pair of those speakers 3 years ago (still have them). Unfortunately, the drivers in them were nothing special. Hoping you fair better.

DSCF9102PB.JPG
 
One more question, were the tubes original with PB branding on them? I ask because I'm curious to know who PB sourced their tubes from.
 
Thanks Cblues, I agree that is quite a clever design. Maybe Frank Lloyd Wright cantilever inspired design.
 
Those are the original drivers for that console. The 83xxx numbers are the PB part numbers. One 12" and two 4" drivers. They bought from various manufacturers but I don't see anything identifying which in this case.

edit: EIA code 465 for the woofer would indicate Oxford Electric.
 
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