Is it possible that this RCA is from 1953? They're asking 100$. Obviously working with turntable and radio.

I'm thinking more like 56 to 57. Stereo was not very common until the late 50s, and was expensive to boot.

I think 100 for a 50s B&W set is a little steep, but then again its already proved working and these are becoming more and more scarce every day. If the cabinet is nice, it has a back, and no rips in the grill cloth, I'd say go for it. However if it has flaws, haggle.

Looks to me more like 1963, but I could be wrong. Do you have a model number? Whith that, Sams photofact will let us know what year it is.

With that rounded screen I'm gonna guess about 1959, just prior to the 110 degree tubes. Thats a unique control panel for an RCA.

Does it SAY stereo on it anywhere? Just wondering because Hi-Fi would have been the norm back then. Why do I say this? There was no stereo television signal at that time. It would not make sense to produce a stereo TV when all you had was Stereo recordings to play, like records and tape. I'm not sure on this but I dont think FM radio carried a stereo signal in 1960. Somebody check me on that. If there is a phonograph on top of that thing then I guess they could have marked it as a stereo. I say it is Hi-Fi with Bass, Treble, and maybe a balance control and probably produced between 59 and 61.

1961 for stereo FM about 1984 for TV.

IF it were mono Hi-Fi it would not have the second speaker cabinet. It is probably stereo phono sound and mono sound from TV and Am/FM radio (if used). We have a very similar unit that is phono only, without TV. Stereo records came out around 1957.

That's not 1953, and didn't anybody notice it's NOT even an RCA! Looks like a cheapie Admiral, Westinghouse, or Sears. You'd buy the main console, then after saving up $$ you could get the slave cabinet with second amp & speaker.

Should be early 60s, probably stereo phono, and possibly stereo FM. (or if 1960-61, may be dual band stereo radio; one side on AM and the other on FM). They did that for a year or two before they had FM multiplexed stereo.

Charles

Hi,

RCA began producing Stereo consoles in 1958. I figure 1958-1959. Stereo record playback, FM and AM in mono, and TV audio in mono. Nice unit which looks like a prime candidate for a restoration and a daily watcher. I love Roundie combos! The wife and I have 2 Zenith combo roundies and an RCA roundie combo. We just got a CM roundie combo given to us with a strong CRT. It's A CTC-11 chassis! RCA did have slave chassis then.

Nice unit which looks like a prime candidate for a restoration and a daily watcher. I love Roundie combos! The wife and I have 2 Zenith combo roundies and an RCA roundie combo. We just got a CM roundie combo given to us with a strong CRT. It's A CTC-11 chassis! RCA did have slave chassis then.

Not to be funny or anything but the set that this thread is about, and pictured is not a "roundie", and most certainly not a color "roundie". Honest mistake.

For the record AudioKarma has a whole Forum more or less just for color "roundies". Check it out. I think they are interesting too. I could go get one for free anytime I wanted, (supposedly working when last turned on years ago), but I simply don't have room for another set. Plus B&W is hard enough for me to get right. A color set is kind of like repairing two sets in one....

Somebody come to VA and pick up a nice, FREE, 1958 Arline 21" so I can bring in something new!!!

Hi,

Still a super nice 1958-1959 B & W combo set. Still Stereo record play, Mono AM and FM and TV Audio. RCA began issuing Stereo LP records in 1958. How long were B & W combos made? It would be interesting!

I think you could get a black and white combo up until somewhere in the early 70's. By then if most folks were going to invest in that kind of thing they would likely want a color television and a nifty 8 track deck.

IIRC 1975 was the last year for b/w consoles and combos for all manufacturers except Admiral, who
made them till '78.

Dumont-First with the finest in television.:yes: