Hacker Hunter RP38 query

[basil.lad]

Hi all, just purchased an Hacker Hunter RP38 with serial number 06208. Grey painter elac ( at least i think so , certainly painted grey. Wood look insert in handle. All white dial. Sounds terrific !! Am I correct in assuming this is quite an early one ? Thank you in advance, Colin

[mhennessy]

The loudspeaker should be from Goodmans. Yes, it's fairly early, but by no means the earliest. The full development, as far as I've been able to establish, is contained in this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=81927

The most recent version of the timeline is probably this one: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...hmentid=121970

I clearly had a lot more spare time in those days

[basil.lad]

Ah ah. Thank you for the reply. It's appreciated. Just two other quick questions please.

No.1. I was wondering whether to try and get hold of an RP38A, but is there any point really, is it much different ?

And secondly I fancy also a cute Herald, but don't know which is the better speaker, I have seen one with a huge flat magnet.

Once again thanks in advance for your knowledge!!

Colin

[jjl]

The RP38A has separate bass and treble controls whereas the RP38 has a single tone control. Apart from cosmetic changes and the various types of 'speaker used, that's the only real difference.
I prefer the more sober, '60s styling of my RP38 to especially the later RP38A models, they look a bit garish to me.

John

[Paul_RK]

Originally Posted by basil.lad

And secondly I fancy also a cute Herald, but don't know which is the better speaker, I have seen one with a huge flat magnet.

That would have been an RP37A VHF Herald with Elac 'speaker rather than the usual Celestion. I've still never heard one, but those that have are mostly agreed that it's the best sounding of Hacker portables. The dimensions of the particular Elac unit mean it won't fit in a Sovereign, and it wasn't used in any other Hacker models - for that matter I've not seen or heard of it in any other radio at all, but it would be good to hear from anyone who has.

Paul

[basil.lad]

John, many thanks for your reply and yes I agree with your comments. The more functional look of the RP38. So yes I'm with you on that. I can live with the single tone control. Cheers mate.

Colin.

Hi Paul, many thanks for your reply also. And yes I also would like to know if the Elac sounds better at all when compared like for like in the RP37A VHF. Strange how it was only found in those Heralds. Until we hear personally I guess we will have to reserve judgement !!

Cheers pal, Colin.

[mhennessy]

Originally Posted by basil.lad

Ah ah. Thank you for the reply. It's appreciated. Just two other quick questions please.

No.1. I was wondering whether to try and get hold of an RP38A, but is there any point really, is it much different ?

Well, the RP38A will come with the Elac speaker, which sounds better than the Goodmans (in my opinion, naturally). Indeed, the later RP38s got that speaker. It's all detailed in that PDF I linked to.

The earlier RP38As did look similar to the RP38. The earliest example I know about with the extruded aluminium grille is 46815. I really like the '70s styling of the later models, but it's obviously a matter of personal taste.

I think the Elac is better than most of the other speakers used by Hacker over the years, including the Peerless units used in the Sovereign III and derivatives (which includes the Super Sovereign). It's interesting that they returned to the Elac for the Sovereign IV (and the radio-cassette RPC1), albeit in 4 ohm guise. While that's my personal opinion, I did present a series of measurements that back up my subjective impressions: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=135896

Originally Posted by basil.lad

And secondly I fancy also a cute Herald, but don't know which is the better speaker, I have seen one with a huge flat magnet.

Others have explained about the RP37A with the large-magnet Elac. Suffice to say, this is still what I use as my bedside radio. I like them a lot

[basil.lad]

Excellent. That's really appreciated. I think I shall search for a VHF Herald now with the large Elac. Your views certainly match others' opinions. They seem to apparently have the edge over other speakers.

Cheers pal.

[basil.lad]

Hello all. Further to recent discussions I can confirm the speaker in my Hacker Hunter is marked 58HE/146. As the serial number is 06208 then is this the earliest set with the small magnet Elac?

Confused (not forgetting this is the RP38)

[mhennessy]

Yes, from memory, that sounds like the right markings for the Elac.

I've got 6 entries that are newer than your set that use the Goodmans. The latest being 8746. So your speaker has almost certainly been replaced at some point. Which is obviously a good result if you value sound quality over originality. In this case, I would

Just to help clear up any doubt, here is a picture of the Elac with the painted chassis: https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/i...a51e7f4c2c.jpg

And here is the Goodmans: https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/i...b2b0f72309.jpg

Note the much larger (and painted) magnet of the Goodmans.

And for completeness, the later version of the Elac, with no paint: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...1&d=1276089300

That one is mine, still missing the plastic tuner cover

And here's the Fane: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...hmentid=200208

And finally, the large-magnet Elac, as seen in the VHF Hunter: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...6&d=1274176073

That's also mine. Note that later versions also dropped the chassis paint.

Hope all those links work OK.

Mark


Edit: the link to the Fane didn't parse, so have added it as an attachement here. Original source credit: https://www.picclickimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/sQUAAOSwJeVd2v8d/$/Hacker-Hunter-Vintage-1960s-Transistor-RadioRP38Good-ConditionWorking-Well-_1.jpg

[basil.lad]

Hi Mark, your the font of knowledge on Hacker radios mate. And many many thanks for all that info. It really is appreciated. Some of the links did thankfully work. Yes I agree it must at some stage of its life had the speaker replaced. And to be quite honest I , m grateful really , like you in this instance quality would be preferable over the originality. To be truthful i see these Hacker radios more than just " a quality radio from a bygone era ". I think they ooze character and have a certain charm , in my opinion that is not matched by any other manufactuerer. Indeed i am drawn to the functional styling and of course blown away by the sound. Wife's approval also!! Pride of place in lounge. Search continues for the right herald vhf..... Cheers Mark, Colin