Step back into the golden age of radio with this beautiful, all original 1956 Philips/Norelco B5X68A Tube Radio, now available at Old Radio Garage. Known for its rich, warm sound and classic design, this piece is a testament to the craftsmanship of the past. Our expert team has lovingly repaired and cleaned every detail to ensure it performs and looks as it did when it first graced living rooms over six decades ago. Ideal for collectors and enthusiasts alike, this radio isn't just a piece of history; it's a fully functional work of art. Experience the charm and quality of a bygone era with a radio that embodies the values and dedication of Old Radio Garage.
This Bakelite 9 tube, single speaker radio is made in Holland (The Netherlands) for the American market by Phillips Inc. The Bakelite case and other parts have been thoroughly cleaned and polished but not refinished. Everything is original including the speaker grill cloth which has been cleaned. The original Norelco emblem is also included.
The chassis was removed from the case and all parts were well inspected and tested. Any defective capacitors were replaced, any resistors out of specifications were replaced and any weak or dead tubes replaced. The panel lights were replaced. The magic tuning eye was replaced with a new equivalent and now shines brightly and responds to station strength as it was designed. Bass, Treble and Volume and push button controls have been cleaned and lubricated. They all respond well. The pressboard back is in good shape. There are no cracks or damage to the case and the original paint on the front bezel is in great shape
This radio is an Export model having the full FM range from 87.5 to 108 MHz. It also has a "gram / fono" button that will allow you to play from an external device such as your phone with the proper cable.
1956 Philips/Norelco B5X68A Tube Radio - Export Model
A leader in design
Much of Philips design expertise can be traced back to Louis Christiaan Kalff. An architect with a passion for graphic design, Kalff understood the importance of consistent, effective design and recognized its role in driving consumer preference for the company’s products as well as brand. The first product to reflect this design vision was the Philips radio, which also introduced the famous waves-and-stars shield. (from Philips Norelco website)
Nothing has been done to this radio that is not described here. THIS IS NOT A FULLY RESTORED RADIO but rather an original antique radio that has been inspected and repaired as necessary to make it function as it was originally intended. As with all of my radios, I have played this radio for hours several days a week before I put it up for sale. I do my best to describe every item in detail. Please look over the photos and contact me with any questions.
Vintage radios were manufactured decades ago in a time of relaxed electrical safety and with primitive technology as compared with today's standards. Many early radios were made with the metal chassis electrically connected to one side of the power cord. This can give you a strong shock if you happen to touch the radio chassis and anything else that is grounded at the same time. In addition, tubes can get very hot and cause serious burns if touched accidentally after the radio has been running for a while. These dangers are minimal if the complete cabinet, back, and knobs are all in place and no metal parts are exposed. Vintage Radio Electronics, whether restored or un-restored, are by nature hazardous due to their voltage, design, heat output and age. They should not be operated unattended, without adult supervision or for great lengths at a time. Any operation, adjustments or repairs are done at your own risk. None of the radios sold at this shop have been modified or upgraded to modern standards.