Zenith Model 6-S-254 Console Radio (1938)
This is a six-tube 3-waveband receiver from 1938,
featuring Zenith's tear-drop shaped dial escutcheon
that made it's appearance for this season only. Also
making its debut this year was the famous shutter or
"robot" dial, which this model, unlike most of those
having 7 tubes and above, does not use. The
appealing waterfall-type cabinet would appear to be
a progression (simplification?) of the previous
season's model 8-S-154 and the same cab was used
for model 6-S-362 the following season.
In addition to the above, the radio features a 5-point
tone control, bass compensation, spinner tuning, split
second station re-location & "tell-tale" controls. The
original selling price was $69.95. As Zeniths go, this
is considered a fairly common model but is
nevertheless highly collectible.
The tube line-up is 6A8G (mixer/LO), 6K7G (IF),
6H6G (2nd detector/AGC), 6F5G (1st AF triode),
6F6G (power output), 5Y4G (rectifier). This is the
same tube line-up as on my model 6-S-222. In spite
of its use of 6-tubes, this receiver is basically a
5-tuber; many 5-tube receivers of the day used the
type 6Q7G tube as the 2nd-detector/AGC/1st AF
Amp, combining the functions of the 6H6G and 6F5G
with little or no compromise to performance. I've
always been a little surprised at Zenith's obvious
participation in the game of "tube wars"! Having said
this, like most Zeniths, this radio is an excellent
performer.
featuring Zenith's tear-drop shaped dial escutcheon
that made it's appearance for this season only. Also
making its debut this year was the famous shutter or
"robot" dial, which this model, unlike most of those
having 7 tubes and above, does not use. The
appealing waterfall-type cabinet would appear to be
a progression (simplification?) of the previous
season's model 8-S-154 and the same cab was used
for model 6-S-362 the following season.
In addition to the above, the radio features a 5-point
tone control, bass compensation, spinner tuning, split
second station re-location & "tell-tale" controls. The
original selling price was $69.95. As Zeniths go, this
is considered a fairly common model but is
nevertheless highly collectible.
The tube line-up is 6A8G (mixer/LO), 6K7G (IF),
6H6G (2nd detector/AGC), 6F5G (1st AF triode),
6F6G (power output), 5Y4G (rectifier). This is the
same tube line-up as on my model 6-S-222. In spite
of its use of 6-tubes, this receiver is basically a
5-tuber; many 5-tube receivers of the day used the
type 6Q7G tube as the 2nd-detector/AGC/1st AF
Amp, combining the functions of the 6H6G and 6F5G
with little or no compromise to performance. I've
always been a little surprised at Zenith's obvious
participation in the game of "tube wars"! Having said
this, like most Zeniths, this radio is an excellent
performer.
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