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Question on 1964 Zenith console...

GACollier

GACollier

New Member
I recently picked up a 1964 Zenith console. (pic below). The unit is a Zenith model ML2675 with a AM/FM receiver, (11L8t25), and solid state stereo amp, (8LT25). To my ears the thing sounds incredible, (Good sound link below to a quick vid of actual play). The only issue I can detect is that some songs with really deep base (like Lorde’s Royals - See Bass distortion video link below) cause quite a bit of distortion, at least played through the tape input from an iPad. It’s as if the speakers cannot produce the actual bass tone but rather start to flutter. Is there something wrong here or at I simply at the limit of this old gear?

51795030953_3877bca96c_k.jpg


Good Sound Video link : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IawwJbVOou7JuYffURCGGZArkTcAEF4S/view?usp=sharing

Bass distortion Video link: (I increase the volume during play then turn down the bass) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QEmI-NXMMmIuR6xhVfzGrFnAFXVZ99gE/view?usp=sharing
 
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Did you try lowering the output level of your iPad? You may be overdriving the Zenith's tape input and causing distortion.
 
I have not tried that Steve. I will tomorrow and report back. I will say that the tape input is a little more quiet than the phono input even with the iPad maxed out.
 
Other problem. This is not designed to be bass heavy. It's bass light. And designed that way on purpose. Which is to keep acoustic feedback at bay and make do with less than 12 watts/channel available in real terms.
 
It was advertised as having 120 watts of power (probably both channels combined?):

https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=648
Zenith said:
Practical, economical transistors and circuitry resulting in high quality performance are now available for mass produced audio amplifiers. A new transistorized audio amplifier section coupled with a vacuum tube tuner is described which delivers 120 watts of EIA power. In addition, a preamplifier circuit along with its unique characteristics is shown which allows much better performance in an all-in-one stereo cabinet.
Click to expand...
 
I Have that exact same tuner/preamp/power amp/original speakers from an old junk Zenith console and the power amp has been tested to only produce 15 WPC before clipping. The EIA rating back then was not real watt ratings of today.

EDIT: I also have the original paper work around here somewhere but I can't seem to find it at the moment. I can't remember if I or someone else posted it here a few years back. I suppose I could do a search but I can never find what I am looking for. :confused:
 
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Thanks gents. Nice find on the info from Zenith Steve. I found a commercial that listed this unit having 240 Watts Peak Music Power!
8:26 on this video...
No way was I believing that.

So, this is likely normal.

cademan, if you could locate the original paperwork for yours that wold be awesome. No worries if not though.
 
That is awesome Cademan! Right, so the model name of my unit is the "Rossini". Are these the only pages you have?

Interesting the note on the "Extended Stereo". I thought this was just used if you had the external radial speakers installed.

Love the "240 Watts Music Peak Power!" slogan.
 
That is all I have. It was in the console when I bought it from the Goodwill 20 years ago. Mine was the Sibelius.
 
Thanks cademan. Working on piecing together the original literature this unit. I’d love to find a print ad that notes price for these units from 63 or 64.
 
Thought I would report back on the distorted bass issue. I can safely say that when using the FM receiver (which uses the tube amp not the solid state amp) I cannot reproduce the issue. Even listening to rap with heavy bass notes with the volume cranked (my wife not too happy with that test!). So I'm not seeing that the speakers can't handle the bass and I'm wondering if running my ipad stereo out into the tape input is likely the issue. Possibly it's not the right kind of signal the unit is expeting? I don't have too many LP's, and none with solid bass notes, so I can't really test the solid state amp properly if there is an issue there. So question, is there a device, like a preamp, that I should place between my ipdad output and the units tape input?
 
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