Admiral 111-07 Today

There are thousands of transistor radios out there. Most of them end up in landfill, forgotten, their plastic cases cracked and their tuning knobs frozen.

It doesn’t try to be jewelry; it tries to be precision . The tactile feel of the dial—a long, horizontal ribbon tuner—is buttery smooth. When you slide your finger across it, you aren’t just changing stations; you are piloting a machine. Pop the back off a typical transistor radio, and you will find a messy bundle of wires and cheap capacitors. Pop the back off a 111-07, and you will find a thing of beauty. admiral 111-07

Given the build quality and the joy of that analog dial, I still think it is the best bargain in vintage radio. There are thousands of transistor radios out there

Most importantly, the tuning capacitor is massive for a portable radio. This oversized component is what gives the 111-07 its legendary selectivity. In a crowded city, this radio can pull a weak signal out from between two strong ones without bleeding. Vintage audio enthusiasts often argue about "transistor sound" versus "tube sound." The 111-07 is the bridge. The tactile feel of the dial—a long, horizontal