Zenith Model 8-S-463 (8S463) Console Radio (1940)
The Zenith 8-S-463 was introduced in the fall of 1939
as part of the 1940 model line-up. Its original selling
price was $69.95.
It's an 8-tube three-band all-wave superheterodyne
that was referred to in Zenith advertising as the
"super 8". Its features include:-
Almost all of the 1940 Zenith models adopted the
company's new "wavemagnet" built-in aerial. This had
made its debut during the 1939 season in the likes of
table model 6D315. In the large sets, such as this
one, the wavemagnet is rotatable at the rear of the
set.
The tube line-up is 1232 (RF amp), 6A8G (mixer/LO),
6K7G (IF amp), 6J5G (2nd detector diode-connected
triode), 6F5G (af amp), 6F6G (single ended AF
power amp), 6X5G (rectifier) and 6U5 (magic eye).
These Zenith's are known for their impressive 'big'
sound and this one is no exception.
I restored the chassis by re-stuffing all capacitors and
replacing a few out of tolerance resistors (including
the 1Meg in the tuning-eye socket), the dial cord and
as part of the 1940 model line-up. Its original selling
price was $69.95.
It's an 8-tube three-band all-wave superheterodyne
that was referred to in Zenith advertising as the
"super 8". Its features include:-
- Rotor wavemagnet aerial
- Radiorgan
- Extended range 6-button Automatic Tuning
- Big Black Dial
- Outer-Circle RF circuit
- Television sound connection
- 10" speaker
- Oversized cabinet in Genuine Walnut
- tuning beacon tube (magic eye)
Almost all of the 1940 Zenith models adopted the
company's new "wavemagnet" built-in aerial. This had
made its debut during the 1939 season in the likes of
table model 6D315. In the large sets, such as this
one, the wavemagnet is rotatable at the rear of the
set.
The tube line-up is 1232 (RF amp), 6A8G (mixer/LO),
6K7G (IF amp), 6J5G (2nd detector diode-connected
triode), 6F5G (af amp), 6F6G (single ended AF
power amp), 6X5G (rectifier) and 6U5 (magic eye).
These Zenith's are known for their impressive 'big'
sound and this one is no exception.
I restored the chassis by re-stuffing all capacitors and
replacing a few out of tolerance resistors (including
the 1Meg in the tuning-eye socket), the dial cord and
Zenith Super 8...the sensation of 1940.
| Zenith Says 1940 Line is the best it has ever made... Officials of the Zenith Radio Corporation headed by Commander E. F. McDonald Jr., former Syracusean, are jubilant over the tremendous reception which has been given the new Zenith 1940 line of Zenith Radios. The factory is reported to be producing an all-time high of 12,500 receivers daily, and it is still impossible to catch up with the consumer demand for the balance of this year. Greater interest than ever before is being shown in the radios for providing foreign reception. Zenith pioneered short wave as far back as 1923 and was the first to establish short wave communication half-way around the world. All Zenith foreign receivers are all unconditionally guaranteed to receive Europe, South America or the Orient every day or your money back. In these days of fast-moving world events, with Europe broadcasting direct to America and England, the Zenith owner can listen in daily to the news either in English or foreign languages. This year, every Zenith includes a built-in aerial. No outside connections are necessary, and you can just plug into the nearest light socket and play. It is as simple as plugging in a new floor lamp. The new built-in aerials are particularly effective in noisy locations, and are a great help in reducing local noise and interference. An improved and exclusive six-key radiorgan is reported to provide full tonality with 64 beautiful blendings of tone at your fingertips. With this remarkable device, it is possible to have any instrument in an orchestra stand out, while with a simple adjustment of the organ keys, you can bring in the full beauty of every instrument. The 1940 Zeniths include many circuit refinements that have never before been made in Zenith history. A new Outer Circle RF circuit is so-named as it provides a new reception reach outside the normal radio coverage. The circuit is said to give ten-times extra sensitivity as compared to previous models. The Automatic Tuning used on all Zenith models is of an instantaneous electric type. Once it is set, all one needs to do is to touch a button to get the stations. Most models have a plug-in for phonograph and television sound connection. While there is said to be no immediate prospect of television service in this section for some time to come, these radios are built for several years ahead, and when television should become available, one only needs to plug in the television receiver and the television sound will be amplified through the present radio. Zenith has been known for many years for the beautiful, big, black dial, the robot dial which simplifies tuning, the large well-built chassis, spinner tuning for quick change of stations, triple bass compensation for rich tone. These features and many others which the public has grown to expect from Zenith are, of course, continued and improved. |
| "Just the radio I've always wanted" you'll say when you see and hear this big, 8-tube giant including heater cathode rectifier tube and tuning beacon tube. Full short wave reception and built-in short wave aerial, of course. Lovely tone insured by radiorgan and big concert grand speaker" |
the 6U5 tuning indicator, as the original was very dim. I also switched the notoriously failure prone 6X5G rectifier with a
more reliable 6X5GT type. Shorted-out 6X5Gs have probably been the cause of more burned up power-transformers in
Zeniths like these than just about anything else.
Note that the cabinet of this model uses FAUX finish on the grille bars and for the decorative horizontal bands.
Below is an article describing Zenith's 1940 receiver line-up found in an old newspaper, dated Nov 23rd 1939.
more reliable 6X5GT type. Shorted-out 6X5Gs have probably been the cause of more burned up power-transformers in
Zeniths like these than just about anything else.
Note that the cabinet of this model uses FAUX finish on the grille bars and for the decorative horizontal bands.
Below is an article describing Zenith's 1940 receiver line-up found in an old newspaper, dated Nov 23rd 1939.
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