Early stereo FM - thoughts?

[tgunner]

I have a large Panasonic table-top stereo SE-1318 from the late 60's I believe. While we are on the topic of such units, does anyone know anything about this?

[Jeffhs]

Nice looking unit, but it seems just a tad big for a "tabletop" stereo. Until I saw yours, I had never seen a tabletop unit with a record changer. Did this one have optional legs or a stand at one time?

[anden]

Your Panasonic phono/radio is transistorized and as you said, is late 60's to maybe 1972. I recently saw one on ebay but it had louvers all the way across the front and had a great mod look wanted to bid, but it went too high for me.....about $70. Panasonic made some nicely constructed audio in this era.

Another interesting unit is the General Electric radio from about 1965 which had swing out speakers and the current to power these speakers went through the hinges ! I didn't believe the seller on this when I bought mine at a flea market, but it was true. Or one could lift the speakers off and use RCA cables for wide stereo seperation. Each driver was a 6 x 9 inch and had great sound. I should have kent that one...it was an interesting radio.

[Jeffhs]

Originally Posted by anden

Your Panasonic phono/radio is transistorized and as you said, is late 60's to maybe 1972. I recently saw one on ebay but it had louvers all the way across the front and had a great mod look wanted to bid, but it went too high for me.....about $70. Panasonic made some nicely constructed audio in this era.

Another interesting unit is the General Electric radio from about 1965 which had swing out speakers and the current to power these speakers went through the hinges !

Interesting. That's the first time I've ever heard of a vintage radio that was designed such that the speakers connected to it via the hinges. The only downside to this design, that I can imagine anyway, is that the speakers would be captivated to the radio cabinet, thereby limiting stereo separation to roughly the width of the cabinet plus the speakers. Did that receiver have any provisions for external speakers or to connect extension cables to its own speakers?

[anden]

Jeff, Here's one - Ebay number 200223722990. The one I had had wiring to the hindges plus wiring to RCA plug outputs on the back of the main unit...and of course RCA plugs on the speakers. There were several different face plate configurations and then they made transistorized versions.

I wish I had kept mine, it really was an impressive radio at over 15 lbs. and had very nice sound with what seemed to be exellent 6 x9 inch speakers (2). The walunt cabinet is nicely made.

For now I'm staying with my Zenith's...love those Y832,B835,H845's - not stereo, but fantasic radio's.

Andrew-