Vintage 1950s Loewe Opta radio - converted to wireless speaker with 8Gb storage
This Loewe Opta Bella Luxus radio has been converted into a wifi speaker. It now works on 12V DC and can be operated in any country or on any network with the included power supply.
You can play music wireless from your phone or tablet through the radio, listen to internet radio or use the preinstalled APPs for Spotify, Youtube and other streaming services.
You can see how it works on Youtube.
What I have done:
I installed a new sound board with three speakers behind the genuine speaker grill. All speakers are now powered with a Sony 50WRMS (100W peak) amplifier and controlled with a micro computer.
Because of the micro computer, you can now listen to radio in HD quality without going manual through the station. There are more than 500 radio station preinstalled and you can add as any as you like.
No more light bulbs change, because I have replaced them with long life LED lights!
On the back you can find 4 USB ports, here you can connect your usb sticks, hard drive or mp3 player.
Next to the USB ports you have a LAN socket, here you can connect the radio via cable to the broadband or a network drive. - This is very practical if the WIFI signal is a bit weak or if you would like to use the radio as a soundbar for your TV.
Because I do all radio conversion myself here in my workshop in London, I can incorporate also additional function like touch screen display, DAB radio and more.
Please note this is a genuine Loewe radio from the 1950s in great condition, but this is now a wireless speaker only not a working tube radio.
Dimensions: (WHD): 360 x 230 x 165 mm / 14.2 x 9.1 x 6.5 inch
Weight : 6 kg
Voltage: 12V
Power: 60W with external power supply, this can be operated any country or on any network.
THE LOEWE STORY
It all began in 1923 in Berlin, when Dr Siegmund Loewe and his brother David Ludwig Loewe established a radio manufacturing company called Radiofrequenz GmbH. Their work with the young physicist Manfred von Ardenne in 1926 led to the development of the triple tube, which was first used in the Loewe OE333 radio receiver. This tube prompted Loewe’s multi-tube production and is today lauded as the world’s first integrated circuit.
Television development began at Loewe in 1929. The company worked together with British television pioneer John Logie Baird. In 1931, Manfred von Ardenne presented the world’s first fully electronic television to the public on the Loewe stand at the 8th Berlin Radio Show.
When Hitler came to power in Germany, Siegmund Loewe had to emigrate to the USA in 1938, where he developed friendship with yet another forced emigrant, Albert Einstein.[citation needed]
In 1949, Siegmund Loewe regained possession of company property and took over as chairman of the supervisory board. In the 1950s, Loewe began producing the Optaphon, the first[citation needed] cassette tape recorder, and manufacturing televisions in Kronach. 1961 saw the first[citation needed] European video recorder, the Optacord 500, enter mass production.
In 1962, the family company tradition ended with the death of Siegmund Loewe. Subsidiaries of the Philips group took over the majority of shares. Under this management, which continued until 1985, the company increasingly specialised in the development and production of televisions.
In 1963, the first[citation needed] portable television, Loewe Optaport, was launched. It had a 25 cm screen and built-in FM radio. The first Loewe colour televisions were launched along with the introduction of colour television in Germany. In 1979 Loewe introduced a fully integrated chassis (everything on a single board) television production. The first[citation needed] European stereo television followed in 1981.
You can control all function with the web interface find out more here.
The Volume control works via app, or with the genuine control knob on the radio.
Simply connect the radio to your network through WIFI or LAN cable to play web radio, Spotify, you tube, Last Fm with the preinstalled apps. You can use your smartphone, tablet or computer as a remote control.
Dimensions: (WHD) 46 x 28 x 23 cm / 14.2 x 9.1 x 6.5 inch
Weight : 7 kg
Voltage: 12V with external power supply (included)
Because the radio has been converted to low voltage, it can be operated in any country.
As with all my radios, you have 6 month warranty for peace of mind.
THE LOEWE STORY
The story starts in Berlin in 1923 with the launch Radiofrequenz GmbH, by the Loewe brothers. Working with inventors such as Manfred Von Ardenne and John Logie Baird, they developed pioneering radio technology and the world's first electronic TV. Exiled from Germany in WW2, Siegmund Loewe returned in 1949 and began producing the world's first cassette tape recorder (the Optaphon), the first European video recorder (the Optacord) and of course, the wonderful Opta radio series.
1950 Ekco Stroller - internet radio, with USB and LAN inputs
This 1950 Ekco Stroller has been converted into a wireless speaker with preinstalled apps for internet radio, Spotify and Youtube.
These radio, were a must have on the 1950s and very popular to take on holiday. I believe this radios has been all over Britain and witnessed many changes in the world. I thought It would be shame to see this one hidden in a shed.
What I have done:
I bypassed the original tube amplifier with a modern class d amplifier, and combined it with a credit card size computer with Wifi. The computer converts the wifi signals into sound and feeds into the amplifier, the result is sound in CD quality. It works great with the original speaker and generates a warm sound. You also have 8Gb of storage, which allows you to upload your own playlists, and up to 1000 songs. The preinstalled software can play any audio format.
You can here it play here: YouTube channel
I am an engineer, working for most of my life in product design - and I'm always frustrated when great ideas are put aside because they're not suitable for the mass-market. I guess, that"s where my passion for these radios began, I wanted to create something different and exiting. With my knowledge of technology and hands-on experience I took on the challenge to breathe new life into these radios - and I hope you will share my passion. I understand that there is a growing market for handmade products and I believe that good quality conversions like this, will retain their value.
Dimensions: (WHD) 31 x 25 x 17 cm / 14.2 x 9.1 x 6.5 inch
Weight : 4 kg
Voltage: 12V
The radio is in great condition and the wooden case is very solid, it makes the bass sound even better. Its a unique conversion and the original tube radio has been preserved. But please note that is a WIFI speaker only, no tube radio anymore.
The radio low voltage and has been adapted for use in any country. LAN and USB inputs are located on the back.
About the Brand Ekco
EKCO stands for Eric Kirkham Cole Limited (E.K. Cole Ltd). Eric Kirkham Cole and his girlfriend started making radio sets in 1924, they later married and in 1927 set up with funding from local businessmen, a new factory at Leigh-on-Sea, they expanded, first to premises owned by their various directors and then in 1930, to a very big new factory at Southend-on-Sea.
E.K. Cole undertook the manufacture of radio tubes for their own radios. In 1939 this commercial tube operation was taken over by Mullard. However the facility remained and was used to manufacture tubes for the armed services during the war.
Ekco produced also Air Interception radars for the RAF, Air to Surface Vessel sets for the Fleet Air Arm, amending these for installation in ships for the Royal Navy (and stopping the 100 valves jumping out of their sockets when guns were fired) and Search Light Control sets for the Army. Car radios, tape recorders and radiograms were added to the range of products.
1960 saw Ekco being taken over by PYE Ltd. From 1969 the factory no longer traded using the Ekco name but under the TV Manufacturing Ltd. banner. However this was short-lived and the company became PYE TMC Ltd.
1945 Ever Ready Model C, wireless speaker and web radio
These 1945 Ever Ready Model C are difficult to find and a collectors favourite. The original radio is untouched and If rewired with the correct batteries it would still work. However there are not many AM radio stations left, and so I decided to convert this radio into a wireless speaker and Web radio.
What I have done, I installed a modern class D amplifier making use of the large great sounding genuine speaker. You can enjoy a very warm and beautiful sound from the past.
I rewired the On/off switch and volume control so you can change the volume manually or wirelessly.
For all my wifi conversion I am using a micro computer made in Sheffield UK, It comes with Wifi and preinstalled software purposely made for the application as a web radio and media centre. I also include a high quality digital to audio processor, for crystal clear sound.
The radio now works on 12V with an external power supply (included) and can be operated with either DC12V or AC 110V/ 240V, 50Hz or 60Hz
See how it sounds here on Youtube:
As with all my radio conversions, 6 months warranty included.
Specs:
Dimensions (WHD): 25.5 cm x 32.5 cm x 20 cm
Weight: 5kg
Voltage: 12V with external power supply (included)
It has some sign of wear and tear, but overall it is in pretty good conditon considering the age.
About the Brand:
In 1898 a Russian immigrant [renamed] Conrad Hubert founded the "American Electrical Novelty and Manufacturing Company" (AENMC) to market battery powered novelties in one of his several businesses. He had been a successful businessman in Russia. He made batteries using the "Ever Ready" brand name.
In 1901 The British company was formed as a private company by AENMC to import and became
BEREC (British Ever Ready Electrical Company) in 1906, with probably no connection to Hubert's AENMC "Ever Ready" products by 1904 or 1905.
AENMC became the American Ever Ready Company in 1905 then became part of the National Carbon Company in 1914. The National Carbon Company merged with Union Carbide Company in 1917 and battery brand became Eveready (one "r" and no space).
The New British Ever Ready Company Limited was registered as a public company in 1913. In 1920 Ever Ready became a public company.
In 1925 Ever Ready purchased Efandem Co in Wolverhampton who made torches, torch batteries, searchlights. The works went on to employ nearly 3,000 people and produced large numbers of dry batteries and from 1943 radio receivers.
1946 GEC radio, wifi speaker and internet radio
This beautiful 1940s GEC radio has been brought back to life. It's a rare find and I am glad that I was able to convert it. The General Electric Company, or GEC, was a major UK-based industrial conglomerate involved in consumer and defence electronics, communications, and engineering.
The radio has been rewired to work on 12V low voltage and can now be operated in any country and on any network with the supplied 12V power supply. Just connect the (included) power supply, switch the radio on and you can wirelessly connect the radio with your smart phone, tablet and so on.
You can here it play here on Youtube
What I have done:
The original light bulbs have been replaced with LED lights and a single board computer with Wifi, LAN, USB and 16Gb SD card controls now all functions. The tube amplifier has been replaced with a wooden custom made speaker cabinet with integrated amplifier and quality full range speaker. I am very proud with the direct and clear result in sound.
The integrated computer comes with preinstalled media software (Volumio)
It's an open source software with more than 500 internet radio stations, a Apps for Spotify, Youtube, music library, multiform control and much more.
You can use the 16Gb memory for your own music library (store up t0 3500 songs) All functions can be controlled with the web interface which looks like this: http://www.wireless-classics.com/wifi.html
As with all my radio conversions, 6 months warranty included - and email and phone support.
Dimensions: (WHD) 15 x 14 x 8 inch / 38 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm
Weight : 9 kg
Voltage: 12V low voltage with external power supply and can be operate in any country.
Condition: The case is in greta condition, give the age. It has a hairline crack underneath and on top - but this has been properly fixed.
Please note this radio has been converted to a wireless speaker, it is no tube radio anymore.
History,
GEC had its origins in the G. Binswanger and Company, an electrical goods wholesaler established in London in the 1880s by a German-Jewish immigrant, Gustav Binswanger (later Gustav Byng). Regarded as the year GEC was founded in 1886 when Hugo Hirst and Byng joint, the company changed it's name to The General Electric Apparatus Company (G. Binswanger)
There are more details on Wiki, follow this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric_Company
Bang and Olufsen S30, with Wifi and internet radio
Bang and Olufsen Speaker S30 has been converted into a wi-fi speaker. Just plug in the provided 24V power supply and enjoy the powerful and clear sound. The amplifier is already integrated inside the chassis, using the original quality speaker. Beovox S30 were compact speakers produced between 1977 and 1983 with linear phase reproduction, suitable for placement in a small bookshelf design to reproduce music faithfully and clearly.
You can hear it play here on Youtube
No compromise in sound, just a smart use of modern amplifier and programming. The built in single board computer allows you to stream music through wi-fi network. Preinstalled Apps for Spotify, internet radio, Youtube. You can store your music on the built-in 16gb memory card and use it as a stand alone player. I am using the same software as for my radios, you can see how it works here:
http://www.wireless-classics.com/wifi.html
I customise all components myself, so no matter if you like it portable, or with Bluetooth, WLAN and internet radio built in - it can be done to your specification.
ABOUT THE speaker
Voltage: 24V (with external power supply included)
Sample rate: 24-bit at 192KHz.
Continuous load: 30W
Music load: 60 W
Impedance: 4 - 8 ohms
Frequency response: +4 -8 dB 60 - 18,000 Hz
Sensitivity: 2.5 W
Gross volume: 12.4 litres
Woofer: 17cm
Tweeter: 5cm
Dimensions W x H x D: 26 x 48 x 18cm
Weight 5.5 kg
1954 Océanic radio model Surcouf with Wifi and Bluetooth
One of a kind this beautiful 1954 Océanic radio. I have waited a long time to get my hands on one of these. These are very rare and collectors item. I have imported this radio directly from France where it has been kept for decades in a family home. You can see in the pictures, the beautiful details. When I received this radio it wasn't working anymore and with very little AM radio stations available, I decided to transform this radio into a smart speaker.
What I have done:
For sound - I replaced the original speaker with a similar size, but brand new 200 Watt - 3 way speaker and class d amplifier. to insure best sound quality I am using a micro computer combined with digital audio processor - you can hear crystal clear the sound how it should be.
For connectivity - The installed micro computer comes has built in WIFI, so it can easily be connected to your home network and you can listen to web radio stations or podcast. there already Apps preinstalled - so you can easily Navigate between the radio stations and your own music.
You can store your own music on the internal drive and use the radio as a music box.
You can control all functions via WIFI from any device even without an App and the built-in computer does all the work. I replaced the genuine Lights with long life LED lights and the magic Eye is now a green LED light.
To add even more comfort I also installed a bluetooth module, just switch between wireless and bluetooth input and enjoy the sound.
Click here to hear it play on Youtube
As with all my radios, you get 6 month warranty, but endless email and phone support.
The radio now operates on 12V (low voltage) with an external power supply (included) . You can operate it anywhere in the world.
I've left the original valve radio in good and almost complete condition - but please note this model only functions as a wireless speaker, not a tube radio.
Specification:
Dimensions(WHD): 40 x 30 x 21 cm
Weight: 10 kg
Voltage: 12 V – with external power supply (included) world wide applicable!
Inputs: W-LAN
Condition:
The varnish is all original and has some sign of use but in very god condition, given the age. Please see the pictures for detail.
How to control your Wi-fi radio
This is the volumio interface, here you can control all functions of your radio - (On request I can also install a touchscreen panel)
From the main menu you can change between the preinstalled apps or browse through your music library. (Each radio has a built in storage, so you can upload your own music)
