Minerva-Radio Wien Minola 2 593N

The Minerva-Radio Wien Minola 2, model 593N, belongs to the Minola/593 family, whose first versions appeared in the late 1950s. The exact dating of the Minola 2 is not entirely consistent in collector references: the Minola 593W is documented for 1958/1959 and already used a printed circuit board, while Radiomuseum.org lists the Minola 2 593N as 1963/1964. The chassis marking “593N” on this set identifies it as the later Minola 2 version.

Compared with the large and heavy luxury radios of the 1950s, the Minola 2 is a more modest and practical domestic receiver. Its wooden cabinet, push-button waveband selection and clear front layout reflect the design language of the early 1960s. It was intended as a useful everyday radio rather than as a large representative piece of furniture.

Technically, the Minola 2 is a superheterodyne receiver with separate AM and FM intermediate frequencies. The documented valve line-up is ECC85, ECH81, EF89, EABC80, EM84, EL84 and EZ80. This is a typical late valve-radio arrangement, with an FM front end, combined AM/FM IF and detector stages, an EM84 magic-eye tuning indicator, and an EL84 audio output stage.

The wavebands include long wave, medium wave and FM. Unlike some earlier or larger Minerva models, the Minola 2 593N does not appear to include short wave. This makes it more clearly a domestic Austrian and Central European broadcast receiver of its period, designed mainly for local AM reception and the increasingly important FM radio service.

Minerva itself was one of the important Austrian radio manufacturers. The company developed from the Radiola radio-apparatus business of Wilhelm Wohleber & Co. in Vienna; radio production began in the 1920s, and the Minerva name became established as a major Austrian radio brand before and after the Second World War. In 1968 the company was sold to Max Grundig, marking the end of Minerva as an independent Austrian radio manufacturer.

Condition

This Minerva-Radio Wien Minola 2 is preserved in unrestored condition, exactly as acquired.

Technical Data

Circuit Diagram

References and Further Reading

Radiomuseum.org – Minerva Minola 2 593N
Main reference for the model data, year, valve line-up, wavebands, dimensions and technical specifications.

Radiomuseum.org – Minerva-Radio, Vienna
Manufacturer overview with company history and model listing for Minerva-Radio / Radiola-Radioapparate und Bestandteile W. Wohleber & Co.

Pictures