Classic Hifi Care

I ran across this, it's RCA's TOTL table radio from around 1957. I think the price is kind of high, but it's kind of rare.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/atq/ ... 84342.html

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rca_8_rf_ ... 1168a.html

https://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/vi ... 1&t=166861

Bill

Looks like a nice radio, but $500 is way too steep. The problem seems to be that it's hard to find comparison prices, and when you do, they are likely asking prices, not done deals. It's the blind leading the blind. The best thing about unrealistic pricing is that it helps me avoid temptation....

Chris Campbell

I still believe that cash in the hand is what helps determine the sale price. Wave cash in a man's face and watch the price drop.......

Well, sometimes. But if somebody has seen the astronomical asking prices online, they may be offended by a lowball offer and assume you're just trying to steal their valuable antique.

Chris Campbell

If the item was truly a valuable antique, you'd think it would have sold for the asking price, no?

Offering less in cash money does not eliminate its value as a fine antique, it just makes it a LESS valuable fine antique.

The 12-tube chassis in that radio looks suspiciously like one I've seen in a small console. I'm not that up on RCA models...

TC Chris wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:43 am Well, sometimes. But if somebody has seen the astronomical asking prices online, they may be offended by a lowball offer and assume you're just trying to steal their valuable antique.

Chris Campbell

Yes, this is my personal experience occasionally. Many selling radios think if its old, its rare and valuable.

If that RCA was TOTL in 1957, have we ever seen its counterparts from Zenith, Motorola, Philco, etc? I never have, which makes all brands of HiFi consoles that much more interesting.

That radio is one step above the RCA 3-RF-9 models I have. The 3-RF-9's have nine tubes with single ended 6V6 output. I think I'd put the 3-RF-9 and even the 8-tube 1-R-81 up against any Zenith radio contemporary built. I've never seen a similar Motorola or Philco built like the big Zeniths or RCA's.

Greg, the radios chassis is similar to the RCA SHF-3 console record player, at least that is as close as I can come. Where is Larry H. when you need him.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rca_shf3_ch_rc_1168b.html

Bill

That one is too close for comfort.

Tempe is just a short jaunt down the highway.

No trip for $500, tho. And it is just too new for my taste.

Conelrad

Back in the States (FL) so the chance of a post actually making it online is over 30% now... lol. Infrastructure in Jamaica is lacking, but that's not what you go there for!

I like the looks of this RCA a lot, it looks like a smaller version of their big Orthophonic consoles. But a bit big for a table-top, makes more sense as a small console with legs. I think RCA quality was peaking right about then.