Like everyone else, I’ve stayed away from the big cabinet radiograms because I just don’t have the space.
I would be grateful for any advice about buying a Kriesler Model 11-110. My instincts are battling with my rational judgment; it just feels like one of those rare and elusive opportunites.
I had no idea a combination radio, record player and reel-to-reel system existed.
Moreover, I've not seen anything from this era in such an unadulterated flawless condition.
Seriously, when the owner allowed me to plug it in, I felt as if I was powering it up for the first time!
Everything works, and nothing is broken or missing - even the two detachable chrome Kriesler microphones.
The shine of the polished, unscratched timber cabinet could be used as a shaving mirror.

For more than 20 years I've been restoring valve radios, small reel-reel recorders, and phonographs. The biggest unit I've restored was the first Kriesler tripple throat model.

I can confidently bet the life of my wife that the unit has never been opened or worked on by a technician - professional or weekend tinkerer.

I know sterogram cabinets are difficult to sell, and I don't have the storage room to keep the 11-110 for long if I did buy it. But she's only asking $80 for it - and thats without any haggling on my part.

Is it worth it?

If the decent thing would be to forget about a quick
resale just to make a dollar, and allow a true afficionado to acquire something in so impossibly perfect condition, I'd be more than willing to pass on the owners details - she did publicly advertise, and lives in the South West suburbs of Sydney.
http://www.morieson.com/images/IMAG0034.jpg

G'day Dave,

Welcome to the forums. 'Piano finish' on timer was a Kriesler specialty. If the unit is in as good a condition as you say then $80 is very good value, particularly for a radiogram with a tape recorder built in. This is also typical of Kriesler, big well-finished units that are upmarket.

Cheers Brad,
I wish I had the room for it, but, in all honesty, I would be buying it with the ruthless intention of reselling at a profit asap.

Being my hobby, not my income, I'm willing to stand aside for someone with more respectful and noble aspirations.

I cannot in good conscience allow myself to be left with the unit, having to keep it somewhere that will ruin the magnificient condition in which, to date, it has been kept.

Still, you've convinced me to visit the owner this morning and leave a deposit - that will at least give me time to come up with something to tell the wife.

Thanks for responding - it would seem I picked the right forum (from among the millions).