View Full Version : Commodore "stereo matic sound" tube radio


radiotvnut
07-05-2010, 11:10 PM
Just tonight, I purchased this Commodore model 744A "stereo matic sound" AM/FM Japanese tube radio.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180525894393&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

About 17-18 years ago, I had this exact model and it looks to be a later tube radio from the late '60's or early '70's.

Anyone else have one of these or know for sure when these were made? I think I remember seeing, on ebay, an almost identical solid state version.

electroking
07-06-2010, 10:33 AM
If it's Japanese, wasn't it made in Japan? I don't think anything coming from
Asia at that time was made in any other country, as far as consumer electronics
is concerned. Regards.

AUdubon5425
07-08-2010, 05:15 AM
How about Hong Kong?

bgadow
07-08-2010, 11:29 AM
Classy looking set! I'd guess late 60s, Japanese. Looks like they were copying sets made by Arvin and maybe Magnavox. Anything in Sams?

radiotvnut
07-08-2010, 11:38 AM
I can't find it in Sam's. When I get the radio, maybe I can find some date codes on the chassis.

Hemingray
07-08-2010, 09:57 PM
Man, you always find some nice radios! Only japanese one I have is a 4 speaker JVC Delmonico

radiotvnut
07-14-2010, 02:21 PM
OK, here it is. The only thing I've done to it was clean the controls and replace two .047 uf caps. One cap was from the hot side of the line to chassis and the other one was an isolation cap for the phono input jack. It's not a great performer; but, not too bad for what it is. It might be better after an alignment. This radio uses a mix of Hitachi and Futaba brand tubes and they are: 35W4, 30A5, 12BA6 x 2, 12BE6, 12AV6, and 17EW8. There are 3 diodes, 2 as a ratio detector and one for the AFC. I still have not found any date codes that I can make out; but, this looks to be from the late '60's.

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341/radiotvnut/2010_0714commodore0001.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341/radiotvnut/2010_0714commodore0003.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341/radiotvnut/2010_0714commodore0005.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff341/radiotvnut/2010_0714commodore0006.jpg

electroking
07-14-2010, 03:01 PM
Nice table radio, but one thing is for sure, 'stereo' in the name is stretching
reality a lot...

Reece
07-15-2010, 10:14 AM
...so is "High Fidelity" ... hard to get any "boom" out of a regular 4" speaker!