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Zenith stereo console...any good?

L

lotus1

New Member
I'm a huge fan of mid century modern design and I ran across this piece...
Mid-century (60's-70's) Zenith stereo console made of SOLID walnut.

So is this thing any good? I personally love the looks of it. What would be a fair price?

Zenith.jpg
 
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That Zenith is from 1970 or 1971, and was one of their midlline models.
It is not bad but no where near their top of the line models. It is pleasant
sounding with deep bass. If I remember correctly, it has 12 inch woofers,
midrangre horns and cone tweeters, I don't remember if that model had the sealed speaker system, I will look it up when I have a chance.
Very nice styling and if you could get it for a low price it would be worthwile.
 
thanks for the reply. I do like the styling. Very simple and nice lines. What would be a decent price for it? The guy is asking around $190 obo.
 
My WAG would be that that is way high. Certainly its a handsome piece, but its big and few people actually want consoles or have the means to move them. And while tube consoles at least may have scavangable amps in them, solid state ones only make sense (to me at least) if you want to use them as is.
But that's my opinion. If you want it 190 bucks worth, than its worth 190 bucks.
 
Lotus1 Zenith Console Stereo !!

Lotus1, You have a vary good Zenith console Model B941 Named "The Neilson" from the year 1971, an early production by the control panel is the earlier edition. This is a 100 watt dual channel amplifier with two 12" woofers, two 3 1/2" tweeters and two exponential horns, Also has the Deluxe Precision record changer with 2G tonearm. This is an upper mid range console that sold for retail of 579.99 at my dealership. Now some 40 years later, This would cost somewhere near $3,000. in today's value. You have a GEM, this Stereo is amazing in sound Quality, you should keep complete and restore it if needed. this unit has the connections for your IPOD or sound from your HDTV will work. Contact me for anything you need to know. Cheers !!
 
I had one of those, the stereo in it, but not such a beautiful case. The one I had was or pretended to be a rather bland maple. The internals appear the same. The 3-speed turntable worked reasonably well and sported an LP/78 flip-over cartridge. The AM/FM tuner and the phono stage were good. The speakers had, what my mother called, "a good tone," but not very crystally treble. When I was using it, I mainly played 78s on it. Some of the higher-pitched crackle and hiss was screened out rather nicely. Eventually I didn't have room for it. I don't mean to shock any console collectors, but I took it all apart. I still have the receiver/amp unit in a box. I made a pair of 3-way extentsion speakers out of the two speaker assemblies. The cartridge is in my old cartridge stash. If I still have the turntable, it might be a candidate for that record cleaning machine I keep promising myself I'm going to build. Again, the furniture part of mine was not nearly as grand as yours. Perhaps your electronics work better or are better despite the similar appearance. Good Luck. I still look at those old consoles when they're posted on craigslist. I just need to buy a housestretcher before I buy another one. ;)
 
I love the cabinet on that with the closing louvers over the speakers. Looks vastly better than most things from that time period. About 1970 was when things turned into contact paper veneer and that chunky blocky design on panel fronts that I just hate.
 
Hi, I'm new to the forum. Is there somewhere I can find a listing of all of Zenith's console models? We just picked one up today off of craigslist and I'm trying to identify it, as well as obtain original instructions as it will need some work.

Per the owners, it was purchased by their parents in the 60s(?) though it has lines similar to the one posted by eddantes except that the legs (and cross support) are mounted directly to the frame, with the angled legs. I checked the back of the unit but the only part of the model number I can make out is, "MM26...", the rest had been previous covered by duct tape(?) or was against the wall. Suffice it to say, the rest of the number is partially covered/worn off. I can also make out a part of the chassis number, "10M9T2..." Anyway, the overall condition is OK. The radio works but will need a new antenna (any suggestions), knob calibration and a general cleaning (any recommended practices?). The turntable appears to be shot and this model, though ready for a tape deck did not come with one. I plan to connect my iPod with an additional amp is necessary.

I can post photos tomorrow but in the interim, any information is appreciated.

Thanks.
 
If no one shows up with the info, here are some ways:

1. Look for the Sam's Photofact folder on the web using the model #.

2. There may be date codes on some of the components - i.e. speaker drivers and tubes.

Is it tube or solid state?
 
The same chassis could have been put into different styles of cabinets.

Solid state given the year and (about the only thing I can read on the label) warning not to screw with transistors. And the obvious power transistor at the bottom of your chassis pic. So no tube date codes. The speaker drivers may have date codes if you're that interested, but if I was you I'd call it 1969 plus or minus maybe a year.
 
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