1953 RCA stereo set - Videokarma.org TV - Video

clairtonelab · #1 11-21-2006, 08:50 PM

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

jpdylon · #2 11-21-2006, 08:58 PM

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.

John Folsom · #3 11-21-2006, 09:51 PM

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.

bgadow · #4 11-22-2006, 11:25 AM

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.

Tubejunke · #5 11-23-2006, 10:51 PM

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.

3Guncolor · #6 11-24-2006, 01:31 AM

1961 for stereo FM about 1984 for TV.

Chad Hauris · #7 11-24-2006, 09:31 AM

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.

kx250rider · #8 11-24-2006, 12:12 PM

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

KentTeffeteller · #9 11-30-2006, 08:26 PM

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.

Tubejunke · #10 11-30-2006, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KentTeffeteller

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!!!

KentTeffeteller · #11 12-01-2006, 11:34 AM

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!

Tubejunke · #12 12-03-2006, 07:25 PM

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.

truetone36 · #13 12-04-2006, 12:38 PM

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

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