Eico Cortina Model 3570 Solid State FM MPX Stereo Receiver (1967)

Turning this receiver on means bringing it back one cautious probe at a time. The first puff of smoke could mean the transformer is done.

Overview

The Eico Cortina Model 3570 Solid State FM MPX Stereo Receiver was not a plug-it-in-and-forget-it piece. EICO (Electronic Instrument Company) of New York City built it in 1967 as part of the company's shift into solid-state audio gear, timed with the wider industry move from tubes to transistors. EICO was known for test equipment and vacuum tube kits. The 3570 belonged to the Cortina line, a series of solid-state electronics introduced in the late 1960s and aimed at the growing hi-fi market. It put an FM MPX stereo tuner and an amplifier in a single chassis, made to decode the growing number of FM stereo broadcasts across the U.S.

But here’s the catch: you didn’t buy it pre-assembled. The 3570 was sold as a kit, meaning buyers received a box of components, a bare chassis, and a detailed manual, then spent nights at the workbench soldering resistors, mounting transformers, and aligning the tuner circuitry. There was no factory QA, no burn-in period. What you ended up with depended entirely on your skill with a soldering iron and your patience with alignment procedures. That DIY DNA is still visible in every surviving unit today. Even if it powers on, you’re never quite sure if it’s running as designed—or if that one cold joint from 1967 is waiting to fail.

For EICO, the 3570 was part of a bigger pivot. The company was founded in 1945 and made its name on test instruments and amateur radio gear, often sold in kit form. By the late 1960s consumer demand was moving toward integrated solid-state receivers, and EICO launched the Cortina line to stay relevant. The 3570 was one of its focused attempts at a slice of the hi-fi market, before the company gradually retreated from audio production by the late 1970s. EICO later existed only as a property management entity until its 1999 liquidation. The 3570 is a physical record of its last serious push into home audio.

Specifications

Historical Context

EICO was established in New York City in 1945 and built its reputation on test instruments and amateur radio gear, much of it sold in kit form. From the early 1950s to the mid-1960s it produced hi-fi products, including tuners, preamplifiers, and amplifiers. By the late 1960s, as consumer electronics shifted to solid-state technology, EICO introduced the Cortina line to remain competitive. The 3570 was part of that effort: a modern, kit-based stereo receiver for the DIY audiophile. It continued EICO's tradition in kit electronics and moved the company into the changing hi-fi space. EICO eventually left the audio market in the late 1970s, ending its direct involvement in consumer audio equipment.

Collectibility & Value

The Eico Cortina Model 3570 is not a collectible for casual listeners or display-only collectors. It's a project. Listings often say "AS-IS" with the blunt warning that it "will need a general going over by a technician or hobbyist." Even units that look intact carry decades of component aging. Surface blemishes are common. One listing notes "some wear around some of the switches on the front control panel," a "noticeable rub mark on the upper right corner edge of the front panel," and "two noticeable 1/2 to 3/4" scratches on the top cover." Those are minor next to what's underneath.

The real risks are internal. Multiple reports cite units that "smoke upon plug-in" or are completely "not powering," often pointing to failed electrolytic capacitors, cold solder joints, or transformer issues. One detailed account describes "burned up resistors just beyond power transformer" and suspects an "internally shorted power transformer," along with large electrolytic capacitors needing re-soldering. A restoration kit for filter capacitor repair is available, priced at $147 as of August 16, 2022, but that is only the starting point. There is no verified market pricing data for a fully restored, working 3570. The original kit cost $159.96 in 1968. Today's cost is measured in time, tools, and a willingness to troubleshoot blind. Unbuilt kits still surface occasionally. The operating manual is available through enthusiast archives.

eBay Listings

Eico Cortina 3570 Stereo Receiver Original Treble Control

$10.41

Eico Cortina 3570 Stereo Receiver Original Volume Control P

$12.15

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