The massive 1975 Zenith combo has arrived...

[drh4683]

It arrived from Oregon yesterday, survived the trip with no issues. Delivered in a covered trailer, pouring rain all day yesterday. This TV is massive, its one of the heaviest TV's I've ever lifted. Thank god I didn't have to bring it down any stairs otherwise I wouldn't take it. Its in very nice shape but of course, the stereo is not in 100% working condition. The left channel is much weaker than the right, however, the right channel alone will blow you out of the room with just a touch of the volume control. Upon taking the back cover off, I was extremely impressed with the stereo receiver and amp. That combined with a 25EC58 TV chassis = the absolute best TV ever created. Such high build quality, its very impressive to look at.
Certainly the grand finale for Zenith when it comes to building a top notch unbeatable product.

The TV works fine as does the space command. Cost $1425 new back in December '74 but had to be ordered as the set was not built until March '75.

[ChrisW6ATV]

I did not realize anyone was making varactor-tuner TVs that far back. Very interesting. I wonder when the first set was sold with the array of pots like this?

[sampson159]

wish i would have gotten this when he called me.glad another aker scored it.the best color set ever made bar none.beautiful.

[Sandy G]

Beautimus !! (grin)

[radiotvnut]

That's a fine looking piece of equipment! Glad you were able to save it!

[DaveWM]

thats one sweet looking setup, I would check the output caps on the AMP, the speakers are cap coupled. Normally I am not a fan of slide controls, but on that tuner they just look cool. The TV pic looks great!!

[JCFitz]

That is a beautiful set and the picture is fantastic.

[Findm-Keepm]

Dave is right! Get rid of them dreaded Callins caps (black bodies with red ends) and you'll likely solve your level issues.

Dat ting is a beast! Keep us posted!

Cheers,

[CoogarXR]

What does it have for speakers?

[drh4683]

Here's what the amp and receiver are all about. Actually, there is not a single callins cap in this thing. I was surprised but I guess they were done with those by this time. Interestingly enough, many of the parts on the amp and receiver have 1973 date codes on them... I would guess that not too many of these sold and there was quite a warehouse full of parts and/or complete chassis' to use up? Keep in mind, this TV was built in March of '75.

[DaveWM]

wow that all looks very well made, hard to believe PTP still being done in the mid 70's!

[zenithfan1]

Awesome set Doug! I'd like to have that tuner/amp setup so I could build custom cabinets and make cool separates. The only thing is, I can never bring myself to mutilate such nice stuff like this Maybe when a beat up one shows up.....
Great save!!!

[Adam]

I must have been looking at this before I fell asleep, I had a dream last night that I found at a thrift store a Zenith console that had this radio and amp unit in it, but no tv or phono. It looked like this console, but with just 3/4 the speaker area, and no tv in the middle. The radio unit was mounted on the top, like here, but in the middle of the cabinet.

And next to it was a Zenith porthole console!

I wonder why it is that in the 50s-70's no one was making just a regular console radio without the phonograph. I'd like to have one if they existed.

[freakaftr8]

Now that is a beautiful example of american history!!! Nice set Doug, well worth the trip from Oregon..

[DaveWM]

how have the slide controls held up? I often find them loosey goosey or not very smooth.