Transistor (but not portable) table radio fixed

[dieseljeep]

Slightly out of thread, but related!
It amazes me how well the line operated, AM transistor table and clock radios worked with only four transistors, convertor, IF, driver amp and high voltage output transistor. They seemed to work as well as an AA5.
It seemed that, the battery operated radios needed six of more transistors. I'm not referring to the audio output, but the receiving qualities.