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Philco 680X (680) High-Fidelity Console Radio (1936 season)
The 680X is a 15-tube behemoth that was Philco's top-of-
the-line console radio for the 1936 model year. It features
variable selectivity and a high-fidelity audio system cover-
ing the entire musical range, at least to the extent that it
was understood in 1936. When first introduced in June of
1935, the 680X was housed in a large cabinet with an up-
wards-facing instrument panel concealed below a lift-top
(right). It retailed for $250. The early style was supersed-
ed in January of 1936 by a more traditional cabinet having
forward facing controls, priced at $275 (lower right). Func-
tionally, the two sets are identical. The 680X replaced the
200X and 201X from the preceding year.
Both 680X versions are housed in large, heavy cabinets
that border on being austere but are for sure no-nonsen-
se designs devoid of all frivolous embellishments. The
creators of the flip-top early model arguably intended for
its true purpose to be concealable when not in use, but for
the late version they clearly made no such concessions to
domestic harmony. Either way, in operation the posture of
the 680X unashamedly and boldly proclaims to the world
its intended utility - a large, all-business, all-powerful radio
that in its heyday was capable of commanding attention as
the centerpiece of the entertainment paraphernalia in an
upscale mid-1930s home.
Styling of both the early and late versions of the 680X is
attributed to Benjamin S. Nash. Design patent #D101,064
applies to the late version, although there appears to be
no design patent for the early set. However, a number of
ads for the early 680X mention Nash as its stylist, an ex-
ample of which is shown below (Sept 17th 1935, Oakland,
CA).
According to philcoradio.com, only 2500 early- and 1500
late-style 680X radios were ever made, making them
among the most seldom seen of all Philcos.
I purchased my first 680X, the late version, at the Kutz-
town radio show in the fall of 2007. I had gone to that
show, as I had done to many before it, with a 680X, rare
as I knew it to be, high on my wish list. I had long relegat-
ed any hopes of finding one to the realms of a pipe
dream. My travelling companion and I had been all set to
depart the show for the long drive home, some time Sat-
urday morning, when I said to him "let's just take one final
look around". It was lucky we did, for as we were walking
those aisles that one last time, with the end-of-show auc-
tion preparations in full swing, this set was wheeled in,
quite literally, right in front of us. I recognized it at once,
but could scarcely believe my eyes!
The original finish has a few rough spots on top, no doubt
the result of stuff having been indelicately placed upon it
during years in storage, but following a good cleaning and
touch-up, it has turned out real nice and is now very pres-
entable! The chassis is complete and clean and showed
promising signs of life when powered-up to two-thirds
voltage on a variac. The original dial is faded but I was
fortunate to obtain a reproduction from Mark Oppat at
oldradioparts.net. Sometime soon I hope to restore the set
electrically.
I finally found my early version of the 680X in the fall of
2009. I bought the set from a seller I met at Lansing that
summer, but there is a Kutztown connection with this set
too, as it was delivered to me at the Kutztown meet in Sept
2009. It needed a re-finish, a job I completed in the fall of
2010.
the-line console radio for the 1936 model year. It features
variable selectivity and a high-fidelity audio system cover-
ing the entire musical range, at least to the extent that it
was understood in 1936. When first introduced in June of
1935, the 680X was housed in a large cabinet with an up-
wards-facing instrument panel concealed below a lift-top
(right). It retailed for $250. The early style was supersed-
ed in January of 1936 by a more traditional cabinet having
forward facing controls, priced at $275 (lower right). Func-
tionally, the two sets are identical. The 680X replaced the
200X and 201X from the preceding year.
Both 680X versions are housed in large, heavy cabinets
that border on being austere but are for sure no-nonsen-
se designs devoid of all frivolous embellishments. The
creators of the flip-top early model arguably intended for
its true purpose to be concealable when not in use, but for
the late version they clearly made no such concessions to
domestic harmony. Either way, in operation the posture of
the 680X unashamedly and boldly proclaims to the world
its intended utility - a large, all-business, all-powerful radio
that in its heyday was capable of commanding attention as
the centerpiece of the entertainment paraphernalia in an
upscale mid-1930s home.
Styling of both the early and late versions of the 680X is
attributed to Benjamin S. Nash. Design patent #D101,064
applies to the late version, although there appears to be
no design patent for the early set. However, a number of
ads for the early 680X mention Nash as its stylist, an ex-
ample of which is shown below (Sept 17th 1935, Oakland,
CA).
According to philcoradio.com, only 2500 early- and 1500
late-style 680X radios were ever made, making them
among the most seldom seen of all Philcos.
I purchased my first 680X, the late version, at the Kutz-
town radio show in the fall of 2007. I had gone to that
show, as I had done to many before it, with a 680X, rare
as I knew it to be, high on my wish list. I had long relegat-
ed any hopes of finding one to the realms of a pipe
dream. My travelling companion and I had been all set to
depart the show for the long drive home, some time Sat-
urday morning, when I said to him "let's just take one final
look around". It was lucky we did, for as we were walking
those aisles that one last time, with the end-of-show auc-
tion preparations in full swing, this set was wheeled in,
quite literally, right in front of us. I recognized it at once,
but could scarcely believe my eyes!
The original finish has a few rough spots on top, no doubt
the result of stuff having been indelicately placed upon it
during years in storage, but following a good cleaning and
touch-up, it has turned out real nice and is now very pres-
entable! The chassis is complete and clean and showed
promising signs of life when powered-up to two-thirds
voltage on a variac. The original dial is faded but I was
fortunate to obtain a reproduction from Mark Oppat at
oldradioparts.net. Sometime soon I hope to restore the set
electrically.
I finally found my early version of the 680X in the fall of
2009. I bought the set from a seller I met at Lansing that
summer, but there is a Kutztown connection with this set
too, as it was delivered to me at the Kutztown meet in Sept
2009. It needed a re-finish, a job I completed in the fall of
2010.
Absolute realism in radio. Super High-Fidelity American and Foreign
| Features of the 680X |
| Extract clipped from a Philco 1936 680X sales Brochure. |
The SUPREME ACHIEVEMENT - In Tone, Power, Foreign Reception.
Philco 680X early version (Jun 1935)
Philco 680X late version (Jan 1936)
| Click any image above for side-by-side views (both front & rear) |
Copyright TubeRadioLand.com
| "In these brilliant new High-Fidelity receivers, Philco gives you startling new fidelity of tone- plus thrilling American and Foreign reception! Here is absolute realism in radio - brought to you through many new and important balanced features" |
Sept 17th 1935,
Oakland CA
Oakland CA
Sept 13th 1935,
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Aug 2nd 1935,
Maryland
Maryland
Dec 11th 1935,
Tennessee
Tennessee
| Features of the 680X..Contd |