RCA B&W Combo

[jstout66]

Saw this at an estate garage sale today, cheap. Everything works, and it's spotless. I am not a fan of B&W combos tho, but this one is pretty cool. I would say it's a 59-63 era set. Opinions?

[DaveWM]

everbody needs at least one B&W combo to watch old programming on.

That one looks clean. I prefer models with doors to cover the screen when not in use, but I like the simple lines on that one.

Not sure of the era, but some of the early RCA tuners and amps were pretty good. I have a RCA stereo console (no tv) that came with a nice tuner including a tuning eye and a PP 6bq5 amp. that tuner is one with a VC not the VI tuner, very good for DXing FM.

[ctc17]

Originally Posted by DaveWM

a VC not the VI tuner, very good for DXing FM.

variable capacitor / variable inductor ??

Which on is better for DXing? You talking about the banana slicer vs the slugs that move through the coils?

Those are good sets, i would have grabbed it for parts.

[DaveWM]

Zenith uses a variable inductor, and are well known for DXing, but most other use that little alum box with a spring loaded pull string (that is what RCA, magnavox, and motorola to name a few). Prettty sure its a German made tuner, and while it works fine, I dont think its very sensitive. the "distance" zentihs have a tuned RF inductor on the fron end (besides the reg osc/tuner), the little german box does not.

On the better RCA tuners there is a VC for the FM, not the little box, and it has a 3rd VC for the tuned RF front end. I have found this setup to be the best for DXing, comparable to the "Distance" zeniths.

The only thing I did not like about the RCA was the stereo de-emphasis circuit seemed to go a bit overboard, killing the highs more than the mono de-emphasis. My guess is the engineers were trying to get rid of any mpx noise.

I changed out a couple caps in the de-emphasis on the stereo and it sounds much better.

[ctc17]

Yea, ok. Im trying to remember whats in that little box. I think it could be some kind of variable inductor setup. I tore a few of those apart years ago but I cant remember whats inside.

I just acquired a zenith portable with the 3 moving slugs. I havent been out to the desert where I could test it for sensitivity. Here in the city there is no such thing as dx, every single frequency is filled with a very hot signal. Its even tough to align radios here because there are no quiet spots.

Besides all of this, antenna is everything!

[jstout66]

I may check late tomorrow and see if it's still there. It was marked at 25.00, but doubt anyone will get it. I'll have to ponder tho. It's 61" long. It is spotless tho, and sounded pretty good. It was still in use in the living room of the house if you can believe that.

[DaveWM]

that box is pretty much just a tube, and a dual inductor with a sping and a few caps and resisotors.