Seeing this brought back a flood of memories. We owned this same model Zenith phonograph when I was a boy (my mother got it around 1960 or '61). It was identical to yours, except it had a darker, "walnut" finish. Being just a kid, I remember it being much bigger than it appears in your video. I remember one of the dials was essentially a switch that compensated for various equalization curves (RIAA, LP, 78, etc). I don't know what my mother ultimately did with it. Sure wish I had it now.
Hi, I picked up this same system today, and evidently someone had been interested in it becaused they peeled off the front grill cloth. To my surprise there is a 12 inch woofer wth a tweeter mounted in front of it. Very unusual for a console. This has a 1 tube preamplifier, and a seperate el84 push pull power amplifier, with aux inputs already set up. It's a great unit, got mine for a song. I can't figure out the model number for ths unit. Do you have any idea? Thanks for any insight.
That Zenith is a real beauty. I always loved the VM built Cobramatic record changers. I would almost guarantee your skipping problems would go away with a new cartridge. They're not the lightest tracking turntables by any stretch but these old VM changers will play almost any record without fault with a good needle and good cartridge....kinda like the Magnavox Micromatics. They just didn't get obsolete like the cheaper BSRs or the later VM stuff.
It's from about 1959--for Christmas of '58, my mother bought a '59 Zenith in a walnut cabinet, a lower priced model than this one, but it has the same style nameplate down on the lower right corner of the speaker. To make it stereo, we would have had to get a separate speaker cabinet, which she did not do. It had the identical style VM changer with the Cobra tone arm and stainless steel embellishments. I've always loved Cobra's!
@jrcstudios Thanks, I figured it was all tubes. I'm watching your video from my stereo tube amp parted from an Zenith Console unit. I love tubes! Hold on to your console unit, it maybe worth something later.
I HAVE THE SAME STYLE COBRAMATIC TURNTABLE EXCEPT THE TONEARNM IS WHITE AND THE CABINET ITS HOUSED IN IS A DIFFERENT STYLE CONTROLS ARE INSIDE WHERE YOUR RECORD STORAGE IS NICE HIFI.
This is the last of the Zenith COBRA-MATICs. This changer was outsourced -made for Zenith by VM Corp. If it ever needs serious rehabbing there is a VM firm on the internet that you can send it to. The earlier Cobra changers were made by Zenith in house. My boss saw these Hi-Fi's being manufactured 50 years ago.
I can tell you with certainty this is a Danish modern cabinet, and this stereo was likely a product of an Eames era designer, likely late fifties to very early sixties.
That's a great Loretta Lynn song played on a great vintage Zenith HI-FI. It brings me back to a time when America was America and a foreign born communist president wasn't living in the white house.
@snellashley yea, lots of old consoles are soldered... cut the wires real short, but long enough you can still see what color wire goes where so you can re-solder them later.
I've got the exact same unit, except with a darker finish.
This console was one of the most powerful and best sounding in it's time!
Believe it or not, in the mid 70's when I was starting a mobil DJ business, we dragged this unit around and used it to play at school dances. We supplemented it with other amps and speakers of course, but the sound of this unit just rocked cranked to the max. Can't beat tube audio cranked!
I see that Ipod wired to it I bet that soundsgreat playing throw that tube amp. I do the same thing run my I pod to the "tape in jacks" gives the modern device a more vintage sound.
I have a portable and a console Zenith stereo, with that same Voice of Music changer with the Zenith Cobra tone arm. My console is from 1959, and my portable is from 1961. In 1962 Zenith started using a different arm. Before 1958 stereo records did not exist. So your set was made between 1958 and 1962.
Those are supposedly the good ones. Then Zenith with to the tonearm with the LP/78 knob on the headshell with a t-shaped needle. I had a 70s Zenith that had a BSR turntable with that style needle. The sound was kinda tinny from what I remember.
Thanks, it sounds better than my camera can re-capture... and ooh, you have trains on your channel! I'm subscribing to your page on behalf of Joe-Joe. We'll be watching tonight!
they have more of an orginal sound i agree i have a few turntables and lots of vinyl but i do like the sound of cd's because of the clarity of it. Mind i do have a cd player that was made 1983 so prob has something todo with it newer cd players are not like they used to be the NAD 5200 is a very rare and special sounding deck that makes you fooled thinking your listening to vinyl
I actually think records have more clarity. CDs are kinda screechy sounding. But people seem to have a personal preference. CDs are easier to take care of . But Ive had less enjoyment from CDs than Records. Oh, and yes, CDs can skip too!
Seeing this brought back a flood of memories. We owned this same model Zenith phonograph when I was a boy (my mother got it around 1960 or '61). It was identical to yours, except it had a darker, "walnut" finish. Being just a kid, I remember it being much bigger than it appears in your video. I remember one of the dials was essentially a switch that compensated for various equalization curves (RIAA, LP, 78, etc). I don't know what my mother ultimately did with it. Sure wish I had it now.
Ode2Pops 3 days ago
Hi, I picked up this same system today, and evidently someone had been interested in it becaused they peeled off the front grill cloth. To my surprise there is a 12 inch woofer wth a tweeter mounted in front of it. Very unusual for a console. This has a 1 tube preamplifier, and a seperate el84 push pull power amplifier, with aux inputs already set up. It's a great unit, got mine for a song. I can't figure out the model number for ths unit. Do you have any idea? Thanks for any insight.
bakinbiznis 1 month ago
@bakinbiznis Mine is a SF2510L.. on a piece of paper stapled to the bottom inside, opposite where the amp sits.
jrcstudios 1 month ago
That Zenith is a real beauty. I always loved the VM built Cobramatic record changers. I would almost guarantee your skipping problems would go away with a new cartridge. They're not the lightest tracking turntables by any stretch but these old VM changers will play almost any record without fault with a good needle and good cartridge....kinda like the Magnavox Micromatics. They just didn't get obsolete like the cheaper BSRs or the later VM stuff.
gmmcnair 9 months ago
It's from about 1959--for Christmas of '58, my mother bought a '59 Zenith in a walnut cabinet, a lower priced model than this one, but it has the same style nameplate down on the lower right corner of the speaker. To make it stereo, we would have had to get a separate speaker cabinet, which she did not do. It had the identical style VM changer with the Cobra tone arm and stainless steel embellishments. I've always loved Cobra's!
VictrolaJazz 11 months ago
Is this Tube stereo or is solid state?
cgillyard 1 year ago
@cgillyard All tube, uses EL84's for output
jrcstudios 1 year ago
@jrcstudios Thanks, I figured it was all tubes. I'm watching your video from my stereo tube amp parted from an Zenith Console unit. I love tubes! Hold on to your console unit, it maybe worth something later.
cgillyard 1 year ago
Nice find man.
cgillyard 1 year ago
I HAVE THE SAME STYLE COBRAMATIC TURNTABLE EXCEPT THE TONEARNM IS WHITE AND THE CABINET ITS HOUSED IN IS A DIFFERENT STYLE CONTROLS ARE INSIDE WHERE YOUR RECORD STORAGE IS NICE HIFI.
JIMMYAD46 1 year ago
Now that is real...not compressed.
vongrishnahk 1 year ago
This is the last of the Zenith COBRA-MATICs. This changer was outsourced -made for Zenith by VM Corp. If it ever needs serious rehabbing there is a VM firm on the internet that you can send it to. The earlier Cobra changers were made by Zenith in house. My boss saw these Hi-Fi's being manufactured 50 years ago.
Beevac 1 year ago
I can tell you with certainty this is a Danish modern cabinet, and this stereo was likely a product of an Eames era designer, likely late fifties to very early sixties.
broot4u 1 year ago
That's a great Loretta Lynn song played on a great vintage Zenith HI-FI. It brings me back to a time when America was America and a foreign born communist president wasn't living in the white house.
ShitFromShinolla 1 year ago
have you ever tried to remove the turntable and come to find out that the power wires where sautered? If so please let me know....
snellashley 1 year ago
@snellashley yea, lots of old consoles are soldered... cut the wires real short, but long enough you can still see what color wire goes where so you can re-solder them later.
jrcstudios 1 year ago
This console is around 1960 vintage.
I've got the exact same unit, except with a darker finish.
This console was one of the most powerful and best sounding in it's time!
Believe it or not, in the mid 70's when I was starting a mobil DJ business, we dragged this unit around and used it to play at school dances. We supplemented it with other amps and speakers of course, but the sound of this unit just rocked cranked to the max. Can't beat tube audio cranked!
WABCRADIO77 2 years ago
Thanks to this video, I had to buy this album in the antique shop yesterday! Love it...thanks! Great video!
joshb80 2 years ago
Nice Zenith Console! Cute child and great music.
Thanks for sharing.
KA7EII 2 years ago
I see that Ipod wired to it I bet that soundsgreat playing throw that tube amp. I do the same thing run my I pod to the "tape in jacks" gives the modern device a more vintage sound.
force311999 2 years ago
can't get that sound today
tenorismo 2 years ago
Sounds great
Skygerobrian 2 years ago
cool
Brzozowiczps 2 years ago
i have a '59 rigoletto stereo-same turntable-even has the 'zenith genuine diamond stylus'sticker..
renofirvine 2 years ago
do u know anything about sears silvertone console radios?
racindeere65 2 years ago
I have a portable and a console Zenith stereo, with that same Voice of Music changer with the Zenith Cobra tone arm. My console is from 1959, and my portable is from 1961. In 1962 Zenith started using a different arm. Before 1958 stereo records did not exist. So your set was made between 1958 and 1962.
JPa311979 2 years ago
Those are supposedly the good ones. Then Zenith with to the tonearm with the LP/78 knob on the headshell with a t-shaped needle. I had a 70s Zenith that had a BSR turntable with that style needle. The sound was kinda tinny from what I remember.
jasonlava 2 years ago
Perfect and rare Zenith. Need some Sinatra on that mug.
acfinney 2 years ago
Thats a nice stereo!
MusicMike1285 2 years ago
:20 "It don't skiyup!" That kid knows his stuff lol.
jasonlava 2 years ago
0:20 I meant
jasonlava 2 years ago
like to have that old girl! good shape!
hondacr60r 3 years ago
thats like its coming off a cd! the quality is amazing, a rarity these days these machines. 5* and favourited!
Sephy69 3 years ago 2
Thanks, it sounds better than my camera can re-capture... and ooh, you have trains on your channel! I'm subscribing to your page on behalf of Joe-Joe. We'll be watching tonight!
jrcstudios 3 years ago
sweet, thats some good kit there! nice one, also for more train videos check out my subscriptions. theres loads to keep you going!
no probs :-)
Sephy69 3 years ago
Records actually have much better sound quality than CDs!
ForeverAnalog 2 years ago 2
i believe that, i also believe analog is much better than digital. if there is a perfect connection. less subject to interference too!
Sephy69 2 years ago
they have more of an orginal sound i agree i have a few turntables and lots of vinyl but i do like the sound of cd's because of the clarity of it. Mind i do have a cd player that was made 1983 so prob has something todo with it newer cd players are not like they used to be the NAD 5200 is a very rare and special sounding deck that makes you fooled thinking your listening to vinyl
23chilled 2 years ago
I actually think records have more clarity. CDs are kinda screechy sounding. But people seem to have a personal preference. CDs are easier to take care of . But Ive had less enjoyment from CDs than Records. Oh, and yes, CDs can skip too!
ForeverAnalog 2 years ago
Nothing like a good ol' console stereo. Need to adjust the tone arm on mine...it kicks of and returns way too early.
edda520 3 years ago