Sparton Triolian models from Canada
This page is about Sparton's Triolian series of radios
Information about Sparton of Canada is sparce. Fortunately there is the Radio College of Canada manuals which were similar in concept to Riders manuals here in the States.
Looking through schematics I was able to find 3 models from the 1930s with Sparton's Triolian principle. 1932-33 Model 707, 1933-34 model 708 and 1934-35 model 800.
There is also model 606 which according to fellow radio collector Jim Berg, who owns one, looks much the same as the US model 26. It has two speakers. One facing forward, the other inside facing down.
The models 707 and 708 appear to be identical in chassis except the audio output tubes were changed from 47s in the 707 to 2A5s in the 708.
I found an advertisement for the 708 and it appears the cabinet is very similar to the US Triolian model 28. Simply looking at the ad, it appears the cabinet is taller, with shorter legs and has a fretwork decoration along the top edge which the 28 lacks. It also is missing a medallion piece on the bottom center area.
This ad appeared in the Calgary Herald Friday September 22, 1933
1934-35 Sparton Triolian model 800
Ive found a model 800 to add to my Triolian collection. It is very similar in style to the 707 but has a different speaker grill and dial. It has AM broadcast and one band of Shortwave. This is very different from the US Made 134 of the same year which has 5 bands and a Viso-Glo tuning indicator. Originally, the 800 had a Shadowmeter tuning indicator but it was replaced with a Magic Eye.
This one belonged to a Canadian radio repairman which came into posession of his daughter who brought it to Ohio and later Florida.
Too bad it wasn't in Ohio when I found it for sale. ;-)
Replacing old tuning meters with Magic Eyes often happened in the later 1930s as the Magic-Eye was a better tuning indicator than earlier types, especially shadow meters. The 2E5 eye was produced for such retrofit into radios with 2.5 volt tubes.
Sparton of Canada had a couple other Triolian models from around 1956. These were radio/phonographs with 3 speakers.
Model 7F1-P Triolian
Model 7F2-P Triolian II
They also had a model called the Trio Grande model 8F1-P
Then there were a couple called Sextet with 6 speakers.
9E1-P Sextet
9F1-P Sextet II
I have no idea what any of these models look like.
If I do find any more information about the Canadian Triolians, I will include them on this page!
Schematics for Canadian Sparton models can be found here
There will be more to come as the project progresses.
Thank you for reading!
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