Since hardly anybody's producing them, especially in quantity, any tubes can 
cost an arm and a leg these days. The solid state models of that radio that 
I saw were excellent, especially considering the state of the art at the 
time. I don't know if they're still available, but I recall that you used to 
be able to buy plug-in replacements for vacuum tubes that were actually 
pretty sophisticated little devices that essentially converted the device to 
solid state technology, but I never actually heard any equipment that used 
them and don't know what they might have sounded or performed like.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Kenyon" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 12:54 PM
Subject: Re: off topic, question about older receiver


Hi, I have heard that just tubes for those older units can sometimes be an
arm and a leg.
I remember too those short-wave boomboxes that came out in the
early 80's.  The few units I have seen detachable speakers, and AM/FM and
tape, and a  a couple of short-wave bands.  Many people didn't know they
had the capability of short-wave until I pointed  it out.   My parents are
two of those people, and I still have an early Phisher unit from 1982!   I
don't know if you all are familiar with these, but the unit I have has the
flashing LED that flashes on and off in time to recordings or whatever you
are playing at the time.  The tape machine doesn't have the best design on
it with regard to mechanics, but it has one good recording quality.  What
were people hoping to market these units for?