Philco 46-1203

Discussions about radios and tuners. Do you have an old radio that is giving you fits? This is the place to talk about them, along with stand-alone radio tuners, tube and solid state, stereo and mono.
Post Reply
User avatar
1922VV111
Full Member
Posts: 66
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2025 3:35 am
Location: Near Omaha NE!
Contact:

Philco 46-1203

Post: # 29602Post 1922VV111 »

Got this beautiful Philco 46-1203 from my mom! She found it at the same place I found the floor model Philco last month. It will need a new power cord, caps, ect, as these always do. Thanks mom!
Attachments
IMG_0398.jpeg
User avatar
William
Global Moderator
Posts: 5127
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2021 12:42 pm
Location: Hart, Michigan
Contact:

Re: Philco 46-1203

Post: # 29603Post William »

I have seen that model, or at least one that looks like yours, at estate stales, antique stores, or auctions. I always thought they were nice looking and if the radio plays like most Philco's it should work great.

Bill
User avatar
1922VV111
Full Member
Posts: 66
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2025 3:35 am
Location: Near Omaha NE!
Contact:

Re: Philco 46-1203

Post: # 29605Post 1922VV111 »

William wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 8:00 pm I have seen that model, or at least one that looks like yours, at estate stales, antique stores, or auctions. I always thought they were nice looking and if the radio plays like most Philco's it should work great.

Bill
This also could be a Philco 48-1256, I need to check again.
User avatar
electra225
Site Admin
Posts: 8668
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2021 7:48 pm
Location: San Tan Valley, AZ
Contact:

Re: Philco 46-1203

Post: # 29606Post electra225 »

I had two 1203's. They are good performers as far as the radio goes. They use the D-10 changer, not one of Philco's best, IMHO. Easy to work on. Good luck with yours!
Life can be tough. It can be even tougher if you're stupid.....
User avatar
TC Chris
Anchor Member
Posts: 3597
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2021 3:50 am
Location: Traverse City, MI
Contact:

Re: Philco 46-1203

Post: # 29610Post TC Chris »

I've got a 46-1203. It was in my grandparents' house, parked next to a bed in the guest room where I'd sleep when visiting. I'd turn it on at night, enjoy the warm dial glow, and experience the miracle of hearing sounds coming through the air. Then it started humming. I did rescue it when we closed the house out. I should recap it. I see it has an RF amp but otherwise is unremarkable. One of those switched hi-filter tone controls.... Yeah, that changer looks like nothing special at all.

Chris Campbell
User avatar
1922VV111
Full Member
Posts: 66
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2025 3:35 am
Location: Near Omaha NE!
Contact:

Re: Philco 46-1203

Post: # 29613Post 1922VV111 »

TC Chris wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 3:26 am I've got a 46-1203. It was in my grandparents' house, parked next to a bed in the guest room where I'd sleep when visiting. I'd turn it on at night, enjoy the warm dial glow, and experience the miracle of hearing sounds coming through the air. Then it started humming. I did rescue it when we closed the house out. I should recap it. I see it has an RF amp but otherwise is unremarkable. One of those switched hi-filter tone controls.... Yeah, that changer looks like nothing special at all.

Chris Campbell
Well it’s a good thing 78s are my favorite type of record to collect! 😅
User avatar
TC Chris
Anchor Member
Posts: 3597
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2021 3:50 am
Location: Traverse City, MI
Contact:

Re: Philco 46-1203

Post: # 29619Post TC Chris »

I've got 78s too, and the really old ones are beat-up enough not to worry. The better, newer ones are capable of much better fidelity than that Philco would deliver, and it would be grinding them up the way the old Sonora acoustic device does.

Chris Campbell
User avatar
electra225
Site Admin
Posts: 8668
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2021 7:48 pm
Location: San Tan Valley, AZ
Contact:

Re: Philco 46-1203

Post: # 29624Post electra225 »

The Magnavox TP 241 I redid plays 78 very nicely. It has a ceramic cartridge, diamond needle, tracks at five grams, feather-weight for playing 78's. The fidelity of the later 78's that were recorded on tape is every bit as good as the later LP's that replaced them.....

I have long maintained that the fidelity of 78's in good condition was better than that of 45's in similar condition. I've never played a 78 on a "modern" turntable with a super-light magnetic cartridge. I've always want to try it.... ;)
Life can be tough. It can be even tougher if you're stupid.....
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests