Buy Tesslor R601S Stereo Tube AM/FM Radio, iPod Aux Input, Incredible Tube Amplified Sound, Vintage RadioTesslor R601S Stereo Tube AM/FM Radio, iPod Aux Input, Incredible Tube Amplified Sound, Vintage Radio Product Description:
- High quality tube amplified AM/FM radio with a beautiful hand-finished case
- Incredible warm sound, hand-crafted construction
- AM, FM and Aux input (for iPod, computer or other input), internal/external AM/FM antenna jacks, headset and audio out jacks
- Features a "magic eye" tuning tube (6E2), Pre-amplifier 6N2 tube, and final amplifier with two 6P1 tubes
- High quality in every detail - highly sensitive, good selectivity, quality knobs, beautifully finished case and great sound
Product Description
The legendary VAL 601S has returned to the US under a new company and new brand, Tesslor. The Tesslor R601S is the best example of a reproduction classic tube stereo radio available today. Hand crafted and finely detailed in both engineering design and manufacturing, this a radio you will keep for a lifetime. Excellent circuit design and quality components makes this a very sensitive and selective receiver. It features an all vacuum tube stereo amplifier matched to specially-made speakers to produce sound that is very authentic, warm and smooth, and easy to listen to for extended periods. A blue-green magic eye tuning tube is used to tune exactly to center of channel for lowest distortion and clearest signal. Richly finished and finely crafted MDF enclosure make this a beautiful radio for the den, living room, office, bedroom, kitchen or studio. FEATURES: Stereo AUX IN to directly connect with CD/DVD or MP3, REC OUT to Record output jack, Headphone OUT: to connect to headphone, FM/AM internal or external antenna, Switchable to either FM mono or FM stereo SPECIFICATIONS: Frequency Range: FM 88 -108MHz, AM 540-1600KHz: Stereo Separation>25db, S/N Ratio: FM 40db, AM 30db, Noise Sensitivity: FM < 24dbs/n=30db), AM: < 64db(s/n=20db) Distortion: FM < 1%, AM < 2%, Non-Distorted Output power: 2×3W/channel, Single signal selection > 30dB, AC Power supply 115V (50/60 hZ), Inside speakers: 5" diameter x 2 pc -4 ohm, Speaker Frequency response: 70Hz-16KHz, Amplifier Frequency response: 30Hz-20KHz, Vacuum Tube Types: 6P1 x 2, 6N2 x 1, 6E2 x 1 eye tube. An incredible value given the technology, design and craftsmanship of these hand made, low volume, classic radios. Learn more about Tesslor radios at Tesslor-USA.com, the US distributor for Tesslor radios.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful.
By J. Janssen
I write this review noting the radio is not currently available. I hope Amazon will influence the distributor to provide it again for those who would like to purchase one.Now, having said that, I must report VAL 601 is a significant update on the tube radios of the 30's and 40's and comes without the occasional puff of smoke that plagued those fondly remembered relics. As described, this is a large, beautifully crafted wood cased AM-FM broadcast band radio having imputs for a CD player or other modern devices. It has internal antennas for both bands but will accept external antennas if desired. In my suburban location the internal antennas are sufficient. The sound is more modern tube hi-fi than antique mono, no doubt attributable to the pedigree; this radio is designed and distributed by the same company that designs and markets the well regarded jolida brand of tube amplifiers.Comparing the VAL 601 to both a Tivoli Model 2 and the Tivoli "Music Center" yields a warm, room filling sound very reminiscent of the large 1950's tube radio/phono consoles made by Magnavox and others during those mid century years. The sound is more lush than either of the Tivoli models though possibly not as clinically detailed. It reminds me a lot of the big Grundig and Telefunken SW radios of the same era. One noted failing of older analog radios was signal drift but I noticed a surprising lack of that with the VAL 601. As a matter of fact, my only regret is that they didn't design SW bands into the front end, which was very representative of the higher end Philcos, Zeniths and RCAs of the era.Physically, it's about as perfect as one could ask for. The wood case is beautifully crafted with discrete laser etching to indicate volume and band position. The main tuning dial is very retro with a cream background and black/red markings. The dial appears to be quite accurate with regard to signal position and, with the provision of the center tuning "eye", it is quite easy to zero in on stations. The speakers complement the tube electronics and present a sound stage much larger than the physical size of the radio with surprising upper bass response. But, the capper is to turn this on in a darkened room and listen to a classic station send out hours of wonderful recordings from the era. Accompanied by the tubes' muted glow, it's a powerful comparison to the sterile digital electronics of today. Just remember that there's a slight delay for the tubes to come up to temperature before one gets any sound out of the box. If you can get one, grab it, you won't be sorry.8/4/11This particular product showed up with my original review and I wanted to advise that IT IS NOT the radio I own and reviewed back in 2007. It may be a credible update or it may be a cheap and flawed knockoff, I have no way of knowing. But since it's being sold by a 3rd party vendor whose connection with analog tube electronics is unknown I would urge you to not let my glowing review of the original VAL 601 influence your purchase. I would also mention that the original radio sold for $550 from Vacuum Tube Valley (the designer/distributor founded by the late Charlie Kittleson) so clearly compromises have been made somewhere. One also has to question the propriety of amazon using existing reviews to promote newly introduced items from different manufacturers/distributors. And, for the amazon editor who wrote the product page copy, MDF is not wood*. MDF stands for medium density fiberboard and is a commercially produced byproduct similar to masonite. It's made by breaking down (crushing) hard and soft wood fibers and molding them into sheets or shapes under heat, pressure and lots of glue. It's most common usage is as a cheaper alternative to plywood sheathing in the roofing industry.* Amazon has removed the wood cabinet claim from their product description. The cabinets of the original radios were furniture grade walnut.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful.
By Joel Miller
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1DR5LWA2U9TZK We didn't have much money when I was growing up but my Dad always made it a point to bring me home some old radios from the local electronic surplus store. Not only did the old radios keep me from destroying other household items but they also instilled a deep appreciation for the form and function of these wonderful radios.I have to admit the Tesslor was a bit of an emotional purchase but this doesn't diminish the fact that it's an excellent radio in its own right. I was really attracted to the fact that it uses tubes for the amp and an electronic tuner for the receiver - a perfect blend of the old and the new. The fit and finish is excellent and I'm proud to have it displayed as a center piece in my living room. I'm not great with my video camera but I tried to capture some of the main features of the Tesslor - I hope you find my video review helpful.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
By Latteville Jim
I just noticed that I've only reviewed 4 of 138 purchases...a record I'm not proud of because I carefully read reviews left by others before buying most items. I feel particularly compelled to comment on this radio because it is one of the best purchases I have ever made. If you like the looks of the classic vintage American radios you will love the Tesslor when you receive it and have a chance to look at it closely. It blends build quality and lovely styling with the latest electronics to make it a modern day classic with high performance standards. The radio has wonderful tone that fills a room without straining. Tuning is analog but very accurate on both bands. Just so you know, this radio, for $100 more, is available in a walnut cabinet. If anything could be better looking than my radio it would be the fine cabinetry of the walnut model. My particular radio has a composite wood material that takes two months to form and finish. It has a very solid feel due to the thick cabinet and smooth movement of all contols. The fit and finish of this radio is also worthy of five stars. I've been a radio collector for many years and I've owned some of the best Grundigs, Drake, and Lowe radios ever made. I've also been an engineer for our local NPR radio station and have acquired a taste for good sound reproduction. I have a Grace wifi radio on the same shelf with this radio and I run it through the Tesslor because its speaker are superior. I've devoted my life to finding and buying unique things. I actually think this radio will increase in value over time especially if the manufacturer gets tired of making very high quality radios for a relatively small market of people who can really appreciate them. To be honest, in the past I would have been reluctant to purchase an expensive Chinese made product, feeling the quality might be somewhat lacking, but five years ago I purchased a Yaqin tube amplifier from China and it totally convinced me that some of their manufacturers are making things as good as our top craftsmen here, in Germany or Japan. I "buy American" when I can but you cannot buy a domestic radio that comes close to this in performance and build quality. Perhaps all of this sounds a little over the top so I'll wrap it up by saying I don't work for Tesslor or any of its distributors...but I kind of wish I did.
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