Loewe Opta Hellas
A radio with a difference - The Hellas 841
The set can be seen here ready for restoration work. I needed it as an special demonstration piece for one of my exhibitions.
Click on an image to view a better quality full size picture.
The set after completion.
Views of the complete set from different angles. A nice views of the PCL and the EL84
The antenna was replaced from above. Everything was put back again just like it was, including the side loudspeaker.
Now, some iformation about Hellas series.
The first Hellas set was a built in 1954-55. This series was the product of the Berlin Loewe factory (Berliner Loewe Werk).
Look here to see a photo of the first Hellas 542 W, which was identical to the Hellas 552.
Only the push button area was different
The Hellas 552 was produced in models W and Wp ( "P"stood for Bakelite (PLASTIKON))
and the number of loudspeakers was different. Built from 1954-55.
The Hellas model 841 W. Please see also above - built in the years 1955-56.
This picture shows the Hellas 1841 W which was bulit from 1956-57.
Here is something special. The Hellas 2841 W with trumpets. It is a kind of sound compressor and was built from 1957-58.
This picture shows the Hellas 3842 W in the stereo model which was also built under the name 3841 W without stereo
Now here the Hellas 4791 W stereo from the year 1959-60.
Hellas 5791 W stereo 1960 -61.
The style changes in 1961-62. Here you see the Hellas 6791 W stereo.
Now here is the last model in the Hellas -- series the type 32090 W -- stereo.
The case is moderatley solid in comparison with previous models.
Dear visitor if you have any radio which needs a new home or you want to leave it in good hands please ask me first.
contakt
And now still a little information about individual sets
Special treat for schematic fans.
Download the schematic diagram of the *Loewe - Opta Hellas stereo 5791 W* (1960) and please look at the final stage!
In the radio the four ECL86 tubes stand in a row and the heaters glow nicely. In the schematic you can see the two stereo channels each with two ECL86 tubes In each channel one triode acts and a per-amp while another acts as a phase inverter Both final pentodes are in push pull arrangement and produce a good 10 watts output. This is sufficient to give good loudspeaker volume in a large room with a nice rounded bass tone.
Do you still need one of the " modern High end " -- tube amplifier?
Some collectors also may turn up the noses at such "push button radios" (they cannot read a schematic)?- I like the technical side of them.
*Mono with push-pull final stage or stereo with 2 single ended channels.
With the * Loewe Opta meteor stereo 4761 W* ( bulilt in 1959) you have a difficult choice.
The device doesn't look spectacular, it is really no eye catcher and will never win any design prizes.
A "teeth radio", also with sculpture ivory bezels !Also the circuit diagram is nothing special at first sight: ECC83 as a audio frequency amplifier and phase reversal stage, 2 x EL84 into push-pull ultralinear circuit. But now take a closer look: There are two output transformers!!! And what does the "stereo"button do? It changes the push-pull final stage into two channels for stereo play. The ultralinear circuit remains unchanged, the screen grids are connected by the tappings from the separate output transformers which drive the two large oval loudspeakers.
FM was 1959 still in mono. Stereo- FM- broadcast came in 1961. But in 1959 there were the first stereo long-playing records available and much was made of this in the advertisements of the time.
Therefore this practical wiring.
Try it with a stereo LP and find out what sounds better:
Mono push-pull or stereo 2-channel?
I hope you have a lot of fun!
*One "shining" top super..
In 1959 *Loewe Opta Hellas 841 W* was Loewe's tope of the range set.
Rather big and weighing18 kg , power consumption is almost 80 watts.
A radio collector looks at his spoils at first from the rear!:
9 tubes ECC85, ECH81, 2 x EF89, EABC80, PCL81 (a misspelling)?, 2 x EL84 (that is push-pull final stage), EM80.One triple rotatable capacitor, that is HF volume filter entrance, spare something special. Two large, oval front loudspeakers, 2 high clay loudspeakers lateral (also permanent dynamic and oval), a very ample equipment. But there is the secret of the PCL81!!
In the "FUNKSCHAU" book 4 of 1956 you will find something about it. The test report ran to three pages as we can now discover: The device is called "Hellas plastic" because of the plastic (3D) sound, thanks to the side loudspeakers. And the PCL81 is very important: The Pentodensystem as a terminal repeater for a unique high sound channel! The push-pull final stage also has a rare variant of the ultralinear wiring: The output transformer has a winding of its own for the screen grids, so the anode voltage can be higher than the screen grid voltage.
How will this sound?
Connect a suitable turntable record player (my choice is " Perpetuum -- Ebner REX A special class" from 1955) put on an LP wich is typical of this period ( swing, dance music of the orchestra Willy Berking or Kurt Edelhagen.) Everything works fine in Mono. Now still pulling at the little chain at the brass coloured front bars on the left: The loudspeaker baffle behind this is bathed in a golden light, an idyllic illumination effect for the evening living room.
And the music seems to come sounds full and vibrant out of the light.
With special thanks to Mr. Kippes.
I hope you will like this page. And I will be glad to get a feedback from you.