Zenith MK2608

[Dawg]

Just learned the tube type FM stereo console my dad inherited from his late father back in 1986, was/is a Zenith MK2608.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know the first year these were made? I was thinking 1961?

Of interest, I found an ad online from September 1962. The ad shows the sales price was $475 new. An inflation calculator shows that is $3714.30 in 2014 dollars. Pretty expensive for a stereo.

 

[Tom Bavis]

MK2608 isn't listed in the Sams Photofact index, but other MK26xx models are 1963. Found it in the 1963 Beitmans, so if you need a schematic I have it.

 

[mr_fred]

It has an entry and photos at radiomuseum.org, although the date (there) has got a question mark as well:

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/zenith_mk2608mk_260_ch_9h20lz1_5.html

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Yes, a 1963 model. Should have the Micro-Touch 2G changer (most of them VM made, the highest end models had Zenith made Belt/Idler drive changers)

 

[Dawg]

Thanks for the response. This is a pic of what the stereo in question looks like.

Ours has the "CD" civil defense markings on the AM dial. From what I could gather, this was done on radios built from 1953 to 1963, in the event war broke out. Scary to think about.

 

[ggregg]

Even scarier to live through when you had to do duck and cover in school.

 

[tom3]

Old post with lots of info on the amp for that girl.

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/tube-newbie-with-a-zenith-5k29.221333/