Vintage style modern radio?
Discussion
I'm trying to help a "vintage style living" friend find a vintage radio with modern functionality, but I'm not having much luck.
Basically, they want something that looks like a proper old style 1930s wireless set:
However, they want it to have internet radio, a cd player and aux connectivity.
Does such a thing exist that actually looks authentic and is any good?
The nearest they've found is this, by Grace digital:
http://www2.pcmag.com/media/images/268941-grace-di...
However, looking at the reviews for it, they suggest it is actually a bit rubbish sound wise and in ease of use - plus the fact it looks like the modern facsimile it is.
I'm beginning to think the only way around this will be to gut a broken 1930s radio and try to neatly install some modern electronics?
Basically, they want something that looks like a proper old style 1930s wireless set:
However, they want it to have internet radio, a cd player and aux connectivity.
Does such a thing exist that actually looks authentic and is any good?
The nearest they've found is this, by Grace digital:
http://www2.pcmag.com/media/images/268941-grace-di...
However, looking at the reviews for it, they suggest it is actually a bit rubbish sound wise and in ease of use - plus the fact it looks like the modern facsimile it is.
I'm beginning to think the only way around this will be to gut a broken 1930s radio and try to neatly install some modern electronics?
I'm beginning to think the only way around this will be to gut a broken 1930s radio and try to neatly install some modern electronics?
Shouldn't be too hard to do. Get a reasonably small modern DAB (crap aren't they?) radio, put in old case and extend the on-off knob to suit. If that's too hard for you, you buy the old and new one and I'll do it for you for a bottle of wine.
Alternatively there's loads on the market, just Google vintage radio. I found these and think they look pretty good at reasonable prices.
http://www.pasttimesradio.co.uk/resradio/restored....
Shouldn't be too hard to do. Get a reasonably small modern DAB (crap aren't they?) radio, put in old case and extend the on-off knob to suit. If that's too hard for you, you buy the old and new one and I'll do it for you for a bottle of wine.
Alternatively there's loads on the market, just Google vintage radio. I found these and think they look pretty good at reasonable prices.
http://www.pasttimesradio.co.uk/resradio/restored....
It is quite common for people who live in retro style to incorporate modernity in a subtle way. 1950s radios with aux connections abound, as do modern TVs in old surrounds and, a number of classic cars with updates such as zetec Moggie Minors and Tdi powered Land Rovers.
Thanks for the suggestions, we'll check them out more thoroughly but currently the favour seems to be on a custom refit of an old case - the new ones just look a bit cheap in places such as the obviously plastic "brass" faceplates
Thanks for the suggestions, we'll check them out more thoroughly but currently the favour seems to be on a custom refit of an old case - the new ones just look a bit cheap in places such as the obviously plastic "brass" faceplates
Do they want this to be the source of the sound or just the switch/control. ie is their retro home budget large enough for some bejesus horn speakers 
Gut a nice old (dead) radiogram and simply install a simple amp and airport express/TV thingy. I imagine your retro friends can't live without their iPhones so it's likely easier is to simply stream whatever (radio, music, propaganda, dancehall favs) and use it as a volume control or switch point to whatever speakers they can afford/tolerate
Gut a nice old (dead) radiogram and simply install a simple amp and airport express/TV thingy. I imagine your retro friends can't live without their iPhones so it's likely easier is to simply stream whatever (radio, music, propaganda, dancehall favs) and use it as a volume control or switch point to whatever speakers they can afford/tolerate
jdw100 said:
Perhaps he only listens to vintage '30's hits, this 'friend' of his?
I just felt that if I were living as if it were the 1930s I wouldn't go as far as crapping in a pit at the end of the garden, living primarily on cabbage or contracting consumption. However buying expensive consumer electronics of the 21st century that look a little like expensive consumer electrical items of the 1930s possibly misses the point!doogz said:
I don't see what's subtle about plugging an ipod in to it!
But if you must, build one, it'll be fun.
I agree. And your friend will probably end up with something more suited to his/her needs. A nice little project/hobby. Your friend could even make some pocket money producing them for like-minded individuals once the first one is made and out of the way.But if you must, build one, it'll be fun.
shirt said:
get a radiogram and just wire in an aux. connector for the ipod. noone using an ipod as a source bothers with cd's. if they do they're retarded.
It depends. I use both in the car.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff