(2018) Vintage NuTone Whole House Intercom Model 2016

Vintage 1950's NuTone Model 2016 Whole House Intercom
I picked this up years ago at a garage sale, complete with a second main unit as well as seven remote speakers and an outdoor speaker. It works, but it's in major need of repair. The amp overdrives at even the slightest attempt to get any volume out of it.

[@markm1784]

I grew up with one of these systems back in the 60s. The same contractor built a lot of the homes in our neighborhood and almost all of those homes had these. We never got the listen/talk feature figured out, but our mom would send the morning AM Top 40 into our rooms to wake us up.

[@track1219]

I just bought a house in Michigan built in 1961 which has a Nutone model 2016. I get static out of the radio, would like to put a newer radio in it and keep the stock faceplate.

[@mraiwa1000]

Would love to see the rest of this system in action!

[@seana806]

I saw something similar to this Shango066 posted about 3 years ago, and he said things like these intercom systems were popular in Los Angeles in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

[@general0ne]

I'll have to look that up. I'm sure they were fairly popular in most urban and suburban areas. NuTone was making them through the 70s and early 80's at least, possibly later . These days, though smartphones and such have pretty much made home intercoms obsolete, though I suppose that today's tech like a Ring doorbell can trace its heritage back to these.
This particular unit came from a large farm house about 5 minutes from where I grew up.

[@johnc3601]

@@general0ne Yup. You're right. My house 30 miles west of Chicago was built in 1960. I have the exact same model (2016). I'm actually looking for a replacement or retrofit because mine is broke.

[@kevinmeyer9485]

@@johnc3601 there are places you can send your 2016 for restoration. No need to replace...

[@kevinmeyer9485]

@@general0ne did you ever embark upon your rebuild. If so, I'm interested. I'd like to see what you did.

[@hungryhunter7158]

I have this exact same model but I’m trying to wire it into a plug

[@cslikens5]

We have the same one. There is activity w tinkering w it but we can't figure out the intercom option. Suggestions?

[@bathroomenthusiast5949]

Does the bathroom have vintage exhaust fans or modern exhaust fans or a window and no fans?

[@Dick_Phitzwell]

I have one for sale. Best offer.

[@darrellbrock2631]

Do you happen to repair the 2016? If so please give me your contact info.
Thanks, Darrell