Thrift store find

Magnetmaz · 23rd February 2003, 01:46 AM

I just wanted to show everyone a little something i picked up at a local thrift store today. It's a 1956 zenith Z733 clock radio. It was labeled "not working" at the store, so i bought it expecting to have to bust out a soldering gun and replace a trafo. I don't know if i was excited or disappointed to find out that the only thing wrong with it was a tube completely out of its socket and rolling around inside the chassis. BTW: there are 7 tubes in there. For some odd reason i can't locate any sort of ON/OFF switch on it either.

Anyways, it's up and running...and i think it's pretty true what i've read lately : tube radios from this era can't be beat. I don't think i've ever heard such good reception and quality sound out of a clock radio. It's mono, and still kicks the crap out of almost every stereo i've got in the house.

-Maz

fdegrove · 23rd February 2003, 01:54 AM

Hi,

Quote:

For some odd reason i can't locate any sort of ON/OFF switch on it either

Do you switch of your watch?

You should be able to turn down the volume of the radio though.

Cheers,

Magnetmaz · 23rd February 2003, 01:57 AM

You can turn down the radio, but even at it's lowest point, its still audible.

The mains come in and are immediately split into three...1 pair to the radio, 1 to the clock, and 1 to an external power outlet on the back.

-Maz

fdegrove · 23rd February 2003, 02:01 AM

Hi Maz,

There may be a way,dunno...
Beats the hell out of modern clockradios, doesn't it?

Should be great to be wake up like that.

JBL · 23rd February 2003, 02:13 AM

coooooooooollll

I want one!!!!

SHiFTY · 23rd February 2003, 04:42 AM

That is one funky looking unit... What is the tube line-up?

Also is it possible that the volume knob isalso the power switch (push on or anti-clockwise)?

Colt45 · 23rd February 2003, 05:20 AM

yeah, volume pot is probably on/off

dhaen · 23rd February 2003, 02:09 PM

It's beautifully ugly

Looks about 1957 to me.

Unforunately, it's very difficult to buy stuff like this in the UK now, except for at specialist sales.
In the last few years the safety legislation has been tightened, and anything sold, must conform by testing.
It costs to get the stuff tested, and much of it fails, so it tends to all get junked.

EC8010 · 23rd February 2003, 04:25 PM

Actually, I think the clock says 19:49, but I agree, its splendidly hideous.

dhaen · 23rd February 2003, 04:48 PM

If I only had time

23rd February 2003, 02:01 AM	#4
fdegrove diyAudio Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Belgium	THRIFTSHOPS. Hi Maz, There may be a way,dunno... Beats the hell out of modern clockradios, doesn't it? Should be great to be wake up like that. __________________ Frank

23rd February 2003, 02:13 AM	#5
JBL diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Canada, N.-B.	coooooooooollll I want one!!!! __________________ Jonathan Blanchard (J.Bl.) ---Nothing is impossible---

23rd February 2003, 04:25 PM	#9
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	Actually, I think the clock says 19:49, but I agree, its splendidly hideous. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

23rd February 2003, 04:48 PM	#10
dhaen diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.K.	Oxymorons unlimited:) If I only had time

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23rd February 2003, 01:57 AM	#3
Magnetmaz diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	You can turn down the radio, but even at it's lowest point, its still audible. The mains come in and are immediately split into three...1 pair to the radio, 1 to the clock, and 1 to an external power outlet on the back. -Maz

23rd February 2003, 04:42 AM	#6
SHiFTY diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Zealand	That is one funky looking unit... What is the tube line-up? Also is it possible that the volume knob isalso the power switch (push on or anti-clockwise)?

23rd February 2003, 05:20 AM	#7
Colt45 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Canada	yeah, volume pot is probably on/off

23rd February 2003, 02:09 PM	#8
dhaen diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.K.	It's beautifully ugly Looks about 1957 to me. Unforunately, it's very difficult to buy stuff like this in the UK now, except for at specialist sales. In the last few years the safety legislation has been tightened, and anything sold, must conform by testing. It costs to get the stuff tested, and much of it fails, so it tends to all get junked.

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