Tues. show and tell pics

[gadget73]

Originally Posted by Old1625

Hi gadget73,

I've got two of those Freshman chasses--both applied in different cabinet schemes than what you show, but I've seen yours in articles about that radio. How are the audio interstage xfmrs in the thing? I have an RC network bypassing one of the pigs in one of mine.... Still worked very well the last time I tried it.

It seems that there are at least 3 Masterpiece models. 2 in a cabinet like mine, and one with a bakelite front. All the ones I've seen online have the other chassis with a "staggered" tube layout, where mine are all inline. I don't honestly know the difference if it was more involved than a physical layout change. As for the transformers, well they seem to work, though the audio quality isn't so hot. One may be bad, not honestly sure. It appears that one was previously replaced, but its with a unit that looks absolutely identical to the other. Either it was replaced with an OEM one, or just the wires were re-soldered to it. That looks to be the only work ever done to this set. Its totally un-molested internally.

I know I had one go bad in my Radiola 18 and I bypassed it with a simple RC network. I stuck that one inside the box where the interstage lives, so its nearly undetectable. I've actually been told that RC coupling usually gives better sound quality than the original interstage setup provided for. I know my 18 sounds pretty darn decent, especially given that I'm using it on the correct Radiola 100a speaker from the late 20s. Its not HiFi, but its very workable for AM listening.

mr_fixer: Thanks. I'm pretty pleased with it myself. Its not perfect, there are some issues on the lid but honestly for being over 80 years old, its in darn fine shape. For $40 I don't think I did badly.