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Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only. |
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18th Jan 2020, 6:35 am | #1 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 214
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Interesting Loewe Opta find
This interesting "radiogram" came into my possession recently. I can't find specific info on the web for this model, but see some similar looking variations. Removing the chassis and giving it a good dusting and inspection I brought it up to voltage on a variac, and everything is working perfectly. The owner told me that it's been lying unused for some 40 years, and that his grandchildren started using the record slot as a postbox depository! The 45rpm record player is a testament to German engineering, complete with a brush on the underside of the stylus. Markings on the rear are "Voccata Box" and "Type 753W". It is an export model, as denoted by "Importe d' Allemagne", (Import from Germany). It has a selenium rectifier can, and the magic eye is somewhat dull. I will try and track down a decent replacement. I'm guessing late 50's, early 60's?
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18th Jan 2020, 9:47 am | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Charmouth, Dorset, UK.
Posts: 3,601
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Re: Interesting Loewe Opta find
With a selenium rectifier probably 1950's. Never seen one of those and I was in the trade in the '50s
Peter |
18th Jan 2020, 9:51 am | #3 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton)
Posts: 7,306
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Re: Interesting Loewe Opta find
Is that record deck by any chance the same one as used in the Philips 'AutoMignon' in-car record players produced between about 1957/58 and 1970? The view in photo 2 suggests that it is. These were 45rpm only players. The records used had to have the 1.5" diameter centre hole, and be 'posted' through a slot in the front. The main drawback, other than the short playing time of, at most about 7 minutes with an EP, was the tracking weight (11 grams), which, in the long term, cannot be kind to records.
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18th Jan 2020, 10:12 am | #4 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Twickenham, London, UK.
Posts: 539
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Re: Interesting Loewe Opta find
Most unusual radiogram, looks like a quality product as you would expect from Loewe, I bet it was expensive back in the day.
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Alan G6PUB, BVWS |
18th Jan 2020, 10:17 am | #5 |
Heptode
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Duffort, Gers, France
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Re: Interesting Loewe Opta find
Interesting. I've seen plenty with the record player on top such as this one, but never built in with a slot on the front.
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Stuart The golden age is always yesterday - Asa Briggs |
18th Jan 2020, 2:28 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
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Re: Interesting Loewe Opta find
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18th Jan 2020, 2:46 pm | #7 |
Hexode
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Linkoping, Sweden
Posts: 493
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Re: Interesting Loewe Opta find
Being an export model with AM only narrows down the search.This Loewe Opta probably has the same(or similar) chassis.
Only difference is the cabinet and the Mignon player on the front. This Mignon is basically the same as that used in cars,but it has different springs and motor and no heavy balancing weights. There were surisingly many radios made with Mignon players.I have a Grundig with the slot on the side. https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/loewe_...w3d757_w3.html |
18th Jan 2020, 4:24 pm | #8 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.
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Re: Interesting Loewe Opta find
What a lovely and unusual set - the chassis looks more 'Grundig' to me! Nice find !!
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Red to red, black to black. Throw the switch and stand well back! |
19th Jan 2020, 9:47 pm | #9 | |
Pentode
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 214
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Re: Interesting Loewe Opta find
Quote:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/philip...g2013d_75.html My player started dragging today and sounded terrible. I removed the player and discovered the fault was a collapsed rubber bush which had caused the idler wheel to drop and not engage with the turntable correctly. After an easy fix, all is well again. |
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