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

At 14 pounds and wired by hand, this receiver hums with the ambition of a company betting everything on solid-state sound.

Overview

The Eico Cortina Model 3570 Solid State FM MPX Stereo Receiver emerged in 1967 as a calculated move by EICO to pivot from its tube-based legacy into the burgeoning world of transistorized hi-fi—right as FM stereo broadcasts were spreading across the U.S. Priced at $159.96 as a kit and $239.96 fully assembled in 1968, it was marketed as a low-cost component that could look and sound like something far more expensive. This wasn’t just another kit; it represented EICO’s broader shift toward solid-state audio gear during an industry-wide transition from vacuum tubes to transistors. Built from 31 transistors and designed around a superheterodyne architecture with an RF stage, the 3570 combined the circuitry of the Eico 3070 stereo amplifier and Eico 3200 stereo tuner into a single chassis, offering integrated performance for the do-it-yourself audiophile.

Owners report it was intended for serious listening, not just technical novelty. With inputs for magnetic phono, tuner, tape, and auxiliary sources, it provided a full signal chain for the era’s stereo enthusiast. The receiver’s solid-state design promised reliability and cooler operation compared to tube equivalents, though in practice, decades later, that promise often unravels. Today, few units power on without intervention. Even when they do, the legacy of hand-soldered joints and aging electrolytics means performance is rarely stable. You don’t just turn this receiver on—you resurrect it, one cautious probe at a time, knowing the first puff of smoke could mean a transformer’s last breath.

Specifications

Key Features

All Solid State Construction

The 3570 was built entirely with transistors—no tubes in sight—a bold statement at a time when many audiophiles still doubted solid-state fidelity. This design choice aligned with EICO’s Cortina line philosophy: deliver total solid-state stereo performance at the lowest possible cost. The use of 31 transistors allowed for compact circuitry and reduced heat output, though long-term reliability suffered due to the era’s early semiconductor limitations and hand-soldered assembly methods.

Integrated 3070 Amplifier and 3200 Tuner Circuits

Rather than designing a new platform from scratch, EICO merged the proven circuits of two existing kits—the 3070 stereo amplifier and 3200 stereo tuner—into a single receiver. This modular approach lowered development costs and leveraged existing documentation, making troubleshooting slightly more familiar for those who had built earlier models. The integration meant users got both high-fidelity amplification and FM stereo decoding in one unit, a significant convenience for the DIY market.

FM Broadcast Band Only with MPX Decoding

Tuned exclusively to the FM broadcast band, the 3570 was engineered to decode the MPX (multiplex) stereo signals that were becoming standard across U.S. radio stations in the late 1960s. Its 40dB AM suppression helped reject interference, while the superheterodyne design with RF stage improved selectivity and sensitivity. For its time, this was a serious tuner section, aimed at capturing the full spatial detail of live stereo broadcasts.

Historical Context

The Eico 3570 arrived in 1967 as part of a deliberate company-wide shift into solid-state audio, coinciding with the broader industry transition from tubes to transistors. It belonged to the Cortina line, a series of solid-state electronics introduced in the late 1960s to target the expanding hi-fi market. For EICO, the 3570 wasn’t just another product—it was a focused attempt to capture a slice of the stereo receiver market before the company gradually retreated from audio production by the late 1970s. EICO ultimately ceased operations during that decade, leaving the 3570 as one of its final statements in consumer audio.

Collectibility & Value

The Eico Cortina Model 3570 is not a collectible for casual listeners or display-only collectors. It’s a project—often listed 'AS-IS' with the blunt warning that it 'will need a general going over by a technician or hobbyist.' Common problems include failed electrolytic capacitors, cold solder joints, and transformer issues. Specific failure reports cite burned-up resistors just beyond the power transformer and suspected internally shorted transformers, with large electrolytics frequently needing re-soldering. A restoration kit for filter capacitor repair is available, priced at $147 as of August 16, 2022. The receiver is rare today, often non-functional, and always a project for the patient. There is no verified market pricing data for a fully restored, working 3570.

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