[rontech]

I think that pre WWII, the upper range UK sets were probably the best, E.g. Models by Murphy, R.G.D, Dynatron and the top of range from HMV/Marconiphone.

My direct experience was all post war of course with the family's pre war sets. Later in 1957 I heard a Beau Decca playing an LP and was srtuck by the improvement. In the same year our next door neighbour bought a Grundig " Balmoral"radiogram. AM/FM Collaro autochange and the sound was the best I had ever heard.

It was mono and cost £100 then; next year stereo records appeared; I bet the neighbour was vexed! Anyway it turned me on to hifi reproduction and after reading lots of mag's went down the hifi separates route.

But yes, the German manufacturers at that time were well ahead of the UK in terms of radiogram sound quality and also the suberb cabinet finishing.