Radio Description

Model: Nordmende Sterling Tannhäuser 57 USA (1957 model year)
Tube lineup: ECC85, ECH81, EF89 (2), EM35, EABC80, ECC82, EL84 (2)
Bands Covered: AM broadcast (550-1600KHz), long wave (150-350KHz), shortwave (5.5-10.5MHz), FM broadcast (88-108MHz)
Front panel controls: Volume/Bandwidth, Tuning/Direction Finding, Bass, Treble, OFF/PHONO/Tape Recorder/LW/Direction-Finding/BC/SW/FM, Bass/Speech/Presence/Orchestra/Solo/Jazz
Rear panel jacks: AC power, FM Antenna, 120/240V, External antenna and ground, Phono Input, Tape Recorder Input, Tape Recorder Playback, Speaker Output (7000Ω and 4.5Ω)
Antennas: internal AM and FM with connectors for external antennas
Speakers: 4
Dimensions: approx. 17x26x12 inches (HWD)
Weight: approx. 15kg/33lbs
Special features: magic eye, direction finder

The radio is housed in a wooden case with glass dial, plastic trim, and beige grille cloth. The appearance is typical of German sets of this vintage. It is larger and heavy than average.

It receives AM broadcast, long wave, shortwave, and FM broadcast bands. The FM is monophonic. Stereo was not introduced until the 1959 model. The AM bands use a 460 KHz IF frequency and FM uses 10.7 MHz.

It has an EM35 "magic eye" tube to assist in tuning in stations, a common feature on higher-end German radios.

There are two bandwidth settings, selected by pushing or pulling the volume knob.

There are five speakers -- one large one with good bass response on the front left, an electrostastic tweeter on the front right, and two midrange speakers on each side of the cabinet.

The "direction finder" is an unusual feature. When the Direction Finding button is depressed, it switches to an internal antenna which is rotatable over a range of 360 degrees via the Direction Finding knob. An azimuth type indicator shows the orientation of the antenna. Via the tuning eye you can determine the direction of maximum signal strength.  

Nordmende (short for Norddeutsche Mende-Rundfunk GmbH) is the manufacturer. It is one of the most respected and collectible Germany radio manufacturers, alongside Grundig and Telefunken. The company was formed by Martin Mende in 1947 and manufactured radios, televisions, and test equipment. It was a family business run by the founder and later his sons. Facing increasing competition from larger rivals it was sold to the French company Thomson Brandt in 1977.

The model name, Tannhäuser, comes from the opera by Richard Wagner. Several Nordmende radios of that era had operatic names such as Carmen, Caruso, and Rigoletto.

The original German retail price for the radio in 1957 was 478 DM. At that time this was approximately US$114 and with inflation equivalent to about US$768 today. (2005)

This is the US model. As compared to the European model, I think the only visual difference is that the front and rear controls and connectors are labelled in English and the line cord is a North American type. The input line voltage is switch selectable for several voltages so it could be used anywhere in the world. I've read that the German model had a limited FM band that only covered 87-100MHz rather than the full 88-108 MHz used in North America.