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Old 22nd Jun 2006, 10:33 am   #8
Aerodyne
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK.
Posts: 1,698
Default Re: What was Stella?

Often, Philips and stella comparable sets used identical chassis - but not always, as I pointed out in my article in the most recent 'Radio Bygones', where a relatively basic Philips became an even more basic Stella (poorer mechanicals, simpler tone control, Bakelite casing)*, so I guess it is fair to say that 'Stella' branded Philips were intended for the general shops (club card payment, long HP terms, sell you anything from a bike to a three piece suite) whilst Philips own brand was reserved for the trade specialists. This may account for the mostly undeserved dislike of 'Stella' brand. Or perhaps it is because the 'Stella' sets were around during the unfashionable, declining period of valve radio.
*Despite the 'superior' wooden cabinet of the Philips version, the Stella looks far nicer IMHO.
-Tony
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