[Jeffhs]

Any of the Zenith radios from about the '40s to the '60s would be excellent sets for AM DXing and even just plain listening to local stations. I have a C845 (circa 1960), which has a 6BJ6 RF stage (works on AM as well as FM) and two IF stages plus a limiter stage. This radio pulls in stations like a magnet on AM after sundown (with its built-in Wavemagnet antenna), and will receive FM stations from 80-100 miles away under favorable conditions, again simply using the built-in antenna. The sound is fabulous as well with an 8" main driver and a 5" HF driver. When Zenith quit making the 800 series (C/H/Z-845, Y832, et al.) they broke the mold, which is too bad as these sets represented some of the best table radios Zenith ever made. The 1963 K-731 is also a great-sounding and performing radio, even though it does not have an AM RF stage. It has been said by another AK member that, with the introduction of the K731 in the early 1960s, Zenith had reached its....well, zenith as far as quality in small radios was concerned. I have one of these sets (in the Early American cabinet) and am very favorably impressed by the sound quality (the bass response is excellent), not to mention RF sensitivity, even without an AM RF stage. This radio has two IF stages for both bands and a limiter stage on FM.

The only places to find these great old sets today are on eBay, Craigslist and at garage, yard and estate sales; once in a while one of these may show up (gasp!) in someone's trash as well. If you find one, grab it! As I have said many times regarding vintage and antique Zenith radios, they don't make them like that anymore.