'60's Silvertone & Audition AM/FM table radios

[radiotvnut]

I noticed that the 17C9 in my set is a newer RCA tube with the block logo. I noticed that AK'er Chad Hauris has a video of the same radio on his youtube channel; but, his set appears to use a 12DT8. Either they made a production change with this radio or someone installed the wrong tube in mine.

BTW, I can think of one other AC/DC table radio that I've seen with PP audio - a late '40's wooden case Westinghouse AM radio that used two 25L6's. I certainly have never seen a tube table radio as late as '65 with PP audio. I think by '65, tubes were on their way out as far as radios go and most of the tube sets from the mid to late '60's were cheap lower end models. This Silvertone appears to be an exception to the "cheap end of the line tube radios" rule. Somewhere around here, I've got a cheapie '67 Silvertone 4 tube Arvin built AM radio. Obviously a BOTL set intended to use up remaining parts.

[Tom Bavis]

The tuner modules were purchased outside and there probably was a production change (or maybe they used whichever they could get?). Module with 17C9 is interchangeable with the one with 12DT8 - same input, output, same 150 mA heater current.

As it happens, I have TWO of the Silvertone / Arvin STEREO radios with a similar tube lineup. Schematic is here:

http://www.audiophool.cjb.net/Misc/Ag4019-2.gif
http://www.audiophool.cjb.net/Misc/Ag4019-2b.gif

Mine have the tuner with 12DT8 - schematic shows 17C9. The oddball output tube (50HK6) was used due its tapped heater, which gave a place to connect a pilot light.

[Hemingray]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

I noticed that the 17C9 in my set is a newer RCA tube with the block logo. I noticed that AK'er Chad Hauris has a video of the same radio on his youtube channel; but, his set appears to use a 12DT8. Either they made a production change with this radio or someone installed the wrong tube in mine.

My Philco clock/radio was like that, The tube layout had a 12DT8 marked out where the 17C9 is. Could be yours was a later circuit revision like mine was, but the tube layout stickers weren't updated for it.

Originally Posted by Jeffhs

The 17C9 is a rare bird, indeed. The last time I saw a 17C9 was in an article in Popular Electronics magazine from the early 1960s. I had never seen a ten-pin tube with the tenth pin in the center of the base before then, and never saw one after that until now. You may have problems finding replacements if you ever need to change it, as I don't think they were all that popular when new and may be very difficult to find these days.
Yesterday 04:56 PM

I actually do have a spare 17C9 I found cheap on the e-place. My Sencore TC-142 will test this tube no problem.

[radiotvnut]

OK, I pulled the chassis and this radio appears to have about a zillion hours on it. The PC board has been very hot and there are many bad solder connections. There is one wire that was connected to a wirewound resistor mounted on a terminal strip. It corroded and broke; so, that wire will need to be fixed. The bad electrolytic is a 120/80/50uf@150 volts. I'm trying to decide if I want to order the caps or buy them locally and pay 10 times the price.

[KentTeffeteller]

Folks,

Audition was the house brand for the F.W. Woolworth Co. Their higher end radios then were actually made by J.V.C. in Japan. They were very well made and sounded well. Very fine DX ability to boot. Very well engineered. The Silvertone mentioned appears to be Arvin built and was a very nice set then.

[radiotvnut]

You know, that Audition does look like it could be a JVC unit. I did jump the bad power switch and got a hiss out of the speaker; but, no reception on any band. Probably has bad caps. I'm finding that more and more solid state equipment from the '60's suffering from bad caps, just like the older tube stuff.

[Hemingray]

Any updates on this?

[radiotvnut]

No, the Audition is buried here somewhere and the Silvertone is apart. Maybe I'll get it back together within the next year, LOL! I will say that the Silvertone was ran into the ground. I did replace some wires that were corroded and had broken off at their terminal strip. And, the PC board looks like it's been hot.

[Hemingray]

With a little time, that Silvertone will be singin loud and proud again