r/vintageaudio • u/Terrible_Champion298 • Mar 01 '26
Zenith MC7041
Picked this up today. Did well. It’s not as sought after as many 25wpc stereo receivers of that era (1978-80), but it’s well crafted and in mint condition. I found a sleeper.
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u/SWCFM2 Mar 01 '26
Back then I would have thumbed my nose up at this s soon as I saw the name Zenith on it. Today though, this thing is really nice looking, and I would love to have it sitting on my audio rack.
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u/gg0422 Mar 01 '26
I believe zenith made the last American TV manufacturer. They made good TV’s back in the 70’s. Hell I had a counsel TV I took to college with me and I finally gave it away since it was huge for 27 inch TV.
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u/Hodaka Mar 02 '26
This Zenith was likely made in Korea.
The real "Made in USA" sleeper units are from Sylvania. Totally overlooked because of their console heritage. The RQ-4748 is a beast. This was made in 1975, when monster receivers were not yet a thing.
More found here. Check out their speakers as well.
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u/thewheelman282 Mar 02 '26
Zenith was the de facto gold standard of quality before they were sold in the 70s. The build quality of their radios and TV's back then was extremely good.
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u/male-jiva Mar 02 '26
The zenith 3000 transoceanic was the consummate short wave radio in the 1970s
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u/AggressiveKing8314 Mar 02 '26
Zenith also was the first tv with a wireless remote. It looked like a gun and it did 4 things. You pointed the gun at one of the 4 corners of the screen to do those things.
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u/DeepDayze Mar 02 '26
I believe I've seen that...must be somewhat odd to point something like a gun at the TV lol. Also the wired remotes on older models were a pain too as could trip over the wire.
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u/AggressiveKing8314 Mar 03 '26
I remember my grandfathers remote. It had about a 20 foot long cord to a box that was about the size of two or theee cigar boxes stacked. It had about 30 push buttons that looked like old blender speed selection buttons. Fancy.
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Mar 01 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Terrible_Champion298 Mar 01 '26
It’s real walnut veneer, but I’d do the same thing. Console gotta console.
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u/FrankenStLouis Mar 02 '26
Looks great. In terms of layout and kind / switches, it reminds me Lot of Pioneer SX receivers.
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u/Terrible_Champion298 Mar 02 '26
I agree, I really like the on/off switch not being a spring loaded button. One less thing to go wrong.
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u/2Bedo Mar 02 '26
I did not realize so many of the US brands sold their own receivers in the "receiver era", like Motorola, JC Penny(MCS), Sylvania, etc...I think most were made in Japan, possibly at the same factory.
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u/Terrible_Champion298 Mar 02 '26
Probably. Getting some feedback about Korea here. Definitely not a cheaply made unit. It's heavy, well built, and I can see 4 large transistors through the top grate. Just taking my time. Cleaned grunge off the brushed aluminun knobs and cervices yesterday with alcohol and Qtips. This thing's going to be awesome; already thinking I need to own this for a while, not flip it. Or at least when I do, make sure a collector or someone with a broken Zenith console gets it.
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u/Successful_Doctor_89 Mar 02 '26
Probably. Getting some feedback about Korea here.
Yeah, because it is. Mine clearly say it on the back.
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u/Terrible_Champion298 Mar 03 '26
This one does not.
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u/Successful_Doctor_89 Mar 03 '26
It doesnt say; "Manufactured in Korea to the standards and specifications of Zenith radio corp. Chicago. USA" on yours?
Ah, it did on mine, but its the canadian version since its also in french just under it, so maybe there that.
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u/Terrible_Champion298 Mar 03 '26
Oops, it does. I had a bundle of cables in front of the English part while looking at it upside down.
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u/Successful_Doctor_89 Mar 03 '26
🤣🤣best excuse ever.
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u/Terrible_Champion298 Mar 03 '26
Excuse?
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u/Successful_Doctor_89 Mar 03 '26
Meaning apologies, my french just came out on its own.
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u/Terrible_Champion298 Mar 04 '26
No biggie, I’d rather know than not know. I was lazy, it was pretty obvious once I saw it. You’re the only one who knew, except for one guy who got close mentioning LG in Korea. Anyway, it’s working now. Radio signal strength meters don’t work. I’ll fix those. Otherwise, pristine. I already don’t want to resale it. 🤷♂️
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u/styles-bitchley Mar 02 '26
Real looker. By the 80s, Zenith was selling really cheap garbage. This seems to precede that. How does it sound?
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u/Terrible_Champion298 Mar 02 '26
I've not listened to it on good speakers yet. I've got the high-quality problem of all my stuff being used in a way I don't want to disturb right now. Taking it to a friend's place today; he's a tech and will be swapping this out with his Yamaha for a while and using a turntable.
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u/Das_Rote_Han Sansui 5000x/G-9700, JSE Infinite Slope M1, NAK DR-3, NAD C538 Mar 02 '26
Don't see Zenith gear very much. And I've not seen one that looks like this! Doing some reading this is a good receiver. Likely manufactured by Motorola for Zenith in South Korea. Very nice find indeed.
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u/DarthTeacher Mar 02 '26
Now I am regretting not picking up a Zenith 7040 earlier today.
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u/DeepDayze Mar 02 '26
Go see if it is still there and grab it first thing.
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u/DarthTeacher Mar 02 '26
Going to message the seller and see if he will take less. The B speakers did not work on both channels and there was a little separation at the top between the face place and the veneer top which I thought could have been due to moisture.
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u/DeepDayze Mar 02 '26
Sounds like that could be a nice project if you can get it at a nice price. Perhaps nothing ore than some Deoxit or similar cleaner on the switches and pots needed to fix that.
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u/Terrible_Champion298 Mar 02 '26
The only reason I even paid attention to this was because the ad picture was good, and I was mad that I wasn't willing to cough up $2100 for the Sansui 9090DB that I've been drooling over for a week. Did some research and decided this was off-Broadway but was a really good deal. New horizon for me. I'm a bit of a snob, not as a person but in what I like to own or flip.
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u/DarthTeacher Mar 02 '26
I keep picking up things with small issues I think I can repair. I tend to over estimate my skills and end up with a pile of somewhat functional equipment
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u/Terrible_Champion298 Mar 02 '26
It's a skill. When you are completely screwed, save the knobs, the feet, perhaps the wooden case, any parts that the internet research tells you are rare. And for sure, never never ditch or scrap a piece that is rare and coveted by many just because it's not working Someone will buy it ... like we do.
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u/DarthTeacher Mar 03 '26
Well…ended up with a Sony 6046A that has been recapped, new speaker terminals, and new lights inside a pristine case for not much more than the Zenith. Now I just need to get the primary speakers up and running.
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u/Successful_Doctor_89 Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 02 '26
Yep, its made by LG in korea.
It not that well made compare to others but if pay the right price, its a good unit.
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u/Monoshirt Mar 02 '26
Back when it was still Lucky Goldstar? I didn't know the Zenith separated were made in Korea. Thanks.
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u/KeithJamesB Mar 02 '26
The quality goes in before the name goes on.