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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 1, 2017 15:06:39 GMT -5
I just scored a couple nice pieces so I figured I'd post them up here and show them off. I have some other things I'll post up as time allows and hopefully others here have equipment to post too. First up a Pioneer SX-1050 receiver, circa 1976. This bad boy retailed for $700 when new and is built like a tank. 52 pounds! This one is in "very good" condition and fully functional. It sounds great and frankly is damn loud at 1/4 volume. The signal meter was weak, the tuning meter favored the right side of its scale and the dial was reading high, 88.5 @ 88.7, 98.1 @ 98.3 etc. After downloading the service manual and busting out the golden screwdriver set I have her just about dead on frequency with both meters behaving the way they were meant to. A brief description from the web... High sensitivity, outstanding circuit design in a new AM/FM receiver. The Pioneer SX-1050 puts every significant AM/FM receiver feature together in a strikingly handsome package. From a highly sensitive FM front end, a high selectivity IF section, to the low distortion, big power amplifier section that delivers the outstanding continuous power output of 120 watts per channel min RMS at 8 ohms from 20 to 20,000Hz, with no more than 0.1 % total harmonic distortion, the SX-1050 radiates the excellence that the stereo buff has come to expect from Pioneer electronics. Such features as a phase locked loop IC in the MPX section, the audible multipath switch that helps eliminate FM wave interference, and the highly advanced equalizer section are not just extra touches in this receiver, but exemplify the considerable thought that has been applied to the overall design and circuit of the SX-1050. Other important contributions to flawless sound include the Pioneer Twin Tone Control, the Toroidal-core transformer, the two very large capacitors in the power supply section - all calculated to reproduce the sound spectrum with stability arid full component protection in the inimitable Pioneer style. Pics from the web...
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 1, 2017 15:35:42 GMT -5
Just last night whilst browsing the local Cash Converters store my attention was drawn to this, a Sony DAT cassette deck, model DTC-75ES. Physically it's in near mint condition and I powered it up in the store. Unfortunately no remote, but it can be operated 100% without it. So I'm standing there debating whether or not I should spend the $25 so I pulled out the phone, checked eBay and found one non-working "for parts or repair" that sold for $75 and nearly $30 shipping. A few others in good condition went for between $130 and $200. Meh, I'll take it! I never had a DAT deck, although I do currently have a Philips DCC cassette deck which is basically the same format, digital tape. Surfing the interweb, I found some interesting info on these from the late 80's. Seems the recording industry lobbied against the format and threatened to sue DAT manufacturers. Al Gore even got involved. Oh brother. At any rate, I purchased myself a NOS blank DAT cassette from eBay so I can run it through its paces. Also downloaded and printed a copy of the operation manual. This one retailed for $950 in 1990. Actual pic...
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Sandbagger
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Post by Sandbagger on Feb 1, 2017 18:11:09 GMT -5
Just last night whilst browsing the local Cash Converters store my attention was drawn to this, a Sony DAT cassette deck, model DTC-75ES. Physically it's in near mint condition and I powered it up in the store. Unfortunately no remote, but it can be operated 100% without it. So I'm standing there debating whether or not I should spend the $25 so I pulled out the phone, checked eBay and found one non-working "for parts or repair" that sold for $75 and nearly $30 shipping. A few others in good condition went for between $130 and $200. Meh, I'll take it! I never had a DAT deck, although I do currently have a Philips DCC cassette deck which is basically the same format, digital tape. Surfing the interweb, I found some interesting info on these from the late 80's. Seems the recording industry lobbied against the format and threatened to sue DAT manufacturers. Al Gore even got involved. Oh brother. At any rate, I purchased myself a NOS blank DAT cassette from eBay so I can run it through its paces. Also downloaded and printed a copy of the operation manual. This one retailed for $950 in 1990. Actual pic... I had one about 15 years ago (sold it). It was a great way to make audio recordings in a digital format, which meant it never degraded the way analog recording do each time you play them. I can understand why the recording industry would have a conniption. You could record digital direct from a CD player to the DAT and basically lose nothing and it would be a perfect copy. Of course this was back in the days before MP3's and Napster painted audio piracy in a whole new light. I got rid of mine because it became basically useless. If I could have gotten a car DAT player, then it would make sense to make tapes to play in the car, but that didn't happen.
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 1, 2017 20:58:39 GMT -5
DAT apparently fared better with data storage than it did with audio. DCC fared better in the consumer audio market because the decks could play a standard cassette.
Both were offered in the car stereo market, but very expensive. I read that Ford offered DAT as an option on some of their high end models, too. I'm going to research that just for fun.
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Post by spitfire441 on Feb 3, 2017 14:04:11 GMT -5
I picked up this gem this morning. 1931 All American Mohawk Catalonia H 34 broadcast radio. Cabinet made by Wurlitzer company. Restoration starts now.
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Sandbagger
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Post by Sandbagger on Feb 3, 2017 16:03:42 GMT -5
I picked up this gem this morning. 1931 All American Mohawk Catalonia H 34 broadcast radio. Cabinet made by Wurlitzer company. Restoration starts now. View AttachmentLooks like it's going to need a little furniture refinishing along with an electronic restore....... But I'm betting it's worth some decent $$$ in fully restored condition.
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Post by BBB on Feb 3, 2017 18:32:13 GMT -5
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 4, 2017 14:35:18 GMT -5
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Sandbagger
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Post by Sandbagger on Feb 4, 2017 16:05:53 GMT -5
Spent some time shining up the SX-1050 this afternoon. I'm amazed at how clean and dust free it is inside considering it's age... The previous owner evidently took good care of it.
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 4, 2017 16:38:32 GMT -5
Spent some time shining up the SX-1050 this afternoon. I'm amazed at how clean and dust free it is inside considering it's age... The previous owner evidently took good care of it. No doubt, that would be Top Gun. That pic of the guts, I did clean off the top of the transformer, big caps and the top edge of the back panel but they hardly needed it.
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Post by BBB on Feb 5, 2017 11:19:48 GMT -5
Top Gun takes great care of his equipment
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 6, 2017 11:17:26 GMT -5
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 7, 2017 9:11:29 GMT -5
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 7, 2017 14:21:01 GMT -5
Not vintage by any means, but I was a little bored at lunch and snapped a pic of my desktop system at work. A JVC head unit pulled from one of my past cars powered by a big ol' wall wart, 2 amps IIRC. I painted the case with a textured gun metal spray paint and stuck four little rubber feet on the bottom. The speakers are Dayton Audio brand through Parts Express in Ohio I got on sale for about $30. It sounds fantastic, but being in a "work environment" I never have a chance to enjoy its full potential, which would surely get me fired. This unit was my inspiration... www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-s60-4x25w-desktop-mini-amplifier-with-remote-usb-mp3-media-card-fm--310-306
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Sandbagger
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Post by Sandbagger on Feb 7, 2017 17:10:45 GMT -5
One of my long time CB radio friends, Bob (How 'bout it, how 'bout it - N3XOD) Featured in this story here: home.ptd.net/~n3cvj/invertedrecord.htmBob cut lawns and did other odd jobs for over a year to save up money to buy a Sansui model 9090, back around 1975 or 76. It was the most potent stereo that I'd ever seen at the time (125 WATTS per channel), and I had never heard a system sound as good as his when he set it up. I forget what brand of speakers he mated to it, but knowing Bob, they were also top notch.
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
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Post by Sandbagger on Feb 7, 2017 17:41:02 GMT -5
Not vintage by any means, but I was a little bored at lunch and snapped a pic of my desktop system at work. A JVC head unit pulled from one of my past cars powered by a big ol' wall wart, 2 amps IIRC. I painted the case with a textured gun metal spray paint and stuck four little rubber feet on the bottom. The speakers are Dayton Audio brand through Parts Express in Ohio I got on sale for about $30. It sounds fantastic, but being in a "work environment" I never have a chance to enjoy its full potential, which would surely get me fired. This unit was my inspiration... www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-s60-4x25w-desktop-mini-amplifier-with-remote-usb-mp3-media-card-fm--310-306Luckily for you, you have the keep the volume low, as that 2 amp wall wart would probably not cut it at the level that typical "Boom boxers" listen at.
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 8, 2017 23:03:27 GMT -5
Not vintage by any means, but I was a little bored at lunch and snapped a pic of my desktop system at work. A JVC head unit pulled from one of my past cars powered by a big ol' wall wart, 2 amps IIRC. I painted the case with a textured gun metal spray paint and stuck four little rubber feet on the bottom. The speakers are Dayton Audio brand through Parts Express in Ohio I got on sale for about $30. It sounds fantastic, but being in a "work environment" I never have a chance to enjoy its full potential, which would surely get me fired. This unit was my inspiration... www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-s60-4x25w-desktop-mini-amplifier-with-remote-usb-mp3-media-card-fm--310-306Luckily for you, you have the keep the volume low, as that 2 amp wall wart would probably not cut it at the level that typical "Boom boxers" listen at. True.I have another car stereo setup like this in the basement, which also runs on a 2 amp wall wart, and it shuts down if I push it too far above "normal listening level".
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Post by BBB on Feb 9, 2017 11:39:56 GMT -5
Ah yes, the under powered wall wart reminds me of...
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 9, 2017 11:51:52 GMT -5
Ah yes, the under powered wall wart reminds me of... Whatever it takes, lol!
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Post by BBB on Feb 9, 2017 15:33:27 GMT -5
I really like that rack set up. I had a similar rack with the reel to reel on top as well. The rack I have set up now has the turntable in the top spot. Gave the reel to reel away, but they look super duper cool.
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 9, 2017 16:02:17 GMT -5
My Philips 900 series stack. Okay, a bit more contemporary than vintage, but you get the idea. It started in 1992 when I walked into the local Sears looking for a new stereo. I was young and making decent money, most of which was disposable at the time. I perused the Sony's, Pioneers and whatever else was popular then. But there on the end cap where they featured open box specials was a receiver that looked quite a bit different than the others, a Philips FR-940 Dolby Pro-Logic receiver. If I remember correctly it was $449 marked down to $379, or thereabouts. The Coventry Mall Sears didn't carry the Philips brand, so it was unusual to see it sitting there, and upon further inspection I found that it was purchased at the Montgomeryville Mall Sears and somehow ended up in my neck of the woods. At any rate, I bought it. I still have the original manual (with the sales receipt taped to the inside of the cover), remote, AM antenna and other random paperwork. I still have the receiver too, although it suddenly stopped working about 15 years ago. I enjoyed it so much I took to eBay and purchased an identical replacement in fantastic condition for about $40. More on the other components later. Most home audio components of that era were shiny black and drab, but not this one. The Philips had style that still looks good today, at least in my humble opinion. Current Marantz receivers use similar styling. Pics from the web...
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 9, 2017 17:00:39 GMT -5
I really like that rack set up. I had a similar rack with the reel to reel on top as well. The rack I have set up now has the turntable in the top spot. Gave the reel to reel away, but they look super duper cool. That reel deck appears to be an RT-707. I had one for a short time then sold it. Wish I still had it though.
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 9, 2017 23:02:45 GMT -5
Just last night whilst browsing the local Cash Converters store my attention was drawn to this, a Sony DAT cassette deck, model DTC-75ES. Physically it's in near mint condition and I powered it up in the store. Unfortunately no remote, but it can be operated 100% without it. So I'm standing there debating whether or not I should spend the $25 so I pulled out the phone, checked eBay and found one non-working "for parts or repair" that sold for $75 and nearly $30 shipping. A few others in good condition went for between $130 and $200. Meh, I'll take it! I never had a DAT deck, although I do currently have a Philips DCC cassette deck which is basically the same format, digital tape. Surfing the interweb, I found some interesting info on these from the late 80's. Seems the recording industry lobbied against the format and threatened to sue DAT manufacturers. Al Gore even got involved. Oh brother. At any rate, I purchased myself a NOS blank DAT cassette from eBay so I can run it through its paces. Also downloaded and printed a copy of the operation manual. This one retailed for $950 in 1990. Actual pic... The tape arrived and tonight I had a chance to give the deck a shake down. Well, the tape loads and then "Caution" lights on the display. The manual says this could be caused by "moisture" and internet tells me this could be caused by any number of things. Consensus of folks in the know say start by leaving it plugged in for 12-24 hours, so I do and I wait. But based on what I've experienced with tape decks in the past leads me to believe that "moisture" isn't the problem. We'll see.
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 9, 2017 23:13:46 GMT -5
One of my long time CB radio friends, Bob (How 'bout it, how 'bout it - N3XOD) Featured in this story here: home.ptd.net/~n3cvj/invertedrecord.htmBob cut lawns and did other odd jobs for over a year to save up money to buy a Sansui model 9090, back around 1975 or 76. It was the most potent stereo that I'd ever seen at the time (125 WATTS per channel), and I had never heard a system sound as good as his when he set it up. I forget what brand of speakers he mated to it, but knowing Bob, they were also top notch. The 9090 is considered as one of the best receivers ever and still sought after today.
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,245
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Post by Sandbagger on Feb 10, 2017 7:12:53 GMT -5
Just last night whilst browsing the local Cash Converters store my attention was drawn to this, a Sony DAT cassette deck, model DTC-75ES. Physically it's in near mint condition and I powered it up in the store. Unfortunately no remote, but it can be operated 100% without it. So I'm standing there debating whether or not I should spend the $25 so I pulled out the phone, checked eBay and found one non-working "for parts or repair" that sold for $75 and nearly $30 shipping. A few others in good condition went for between $130 and $200. Meh, I'll take it! I never had a DAT deck, although I do currently have a Philips DCC cassette deck which is basically the same format, digital tape. Surfing the interweb, I found some interesting info on these from the late 80's. Seems the recording industry lobbied against the format and threatened to sue DAT manufacturers. Al Gore even got involved. Oh brother. At any rate, I purchased myself a NOS blank DAT cassette from eBay so I can run it through its paces. Also downloaded and printed a copy of the operation manual. This one retailed for $950 in 1990. Actual pic... The tape arrived and tonight I had a chance to give the deck a shake down. Well, the tape loads and then "Caution" lights on the display. The manual says this could be caused by "moisture" and internet tells me this could be caused by any number of things. Consensus of folks in the know say start by leaving it plugged in for 12-24 hours, so I do and I wait. But based on what I've experienced with tape decks in the past leads me to believe that "moisture" isn't the problem. We'll see. No, "moisture" is probably not the problem...... But bad electrolytic caps could be.
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 10, 2017 7:57:25 GMT -5
The tape arrived and tonight I had a chance to give the deck a shake down. Well, the tape loads and then "Caution" lights on the display. The manual says this could be caused by "moisture" and internet tells me this could be caused by any number of things. Consensus of folks in the know say start by leaving it plugged in for 12-24 hours, so I do and I wait. But based on what I've experienced with tape decks in the past leads me to believe that "moisture" isn't the problem. We'll see. No, "moisture" is probably not the problem...... But bad electrolytic caps could be. Lots of chatter on the net about the tape transport, bad sensor(s) and el cheapo plastic pieces failing. From what I've read the transport system is very similar to that of a VCR, quite complex.
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Sandbagger
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Post by Sandbagger on Feb 10, 2017 13:44:04 GMT -5
No, "moisture" is probably not the problem...... But bad electrolytic caps could be. Lots of chatter on the net about the tape transport, bad sensor(s) and el cheapo plastic pieces failing. From what I've read the transport system is very similar to that of a VCR, quite complex. Yep, that's all true, and belts and rubber rollers tend to dry rot and fail.
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 10, 2017 21:50:18 GMT -5
Lots of chatter on the net about the tape transport, bad sensor(s) and el cheapo plastic pieces failing. From what I've read the transport system is very similar to that of a VCR, quite complex. Yep, that's all true, and belts and rubber rollers tend to dry rot and fail. I popped the lid off to take a look see. It appears like the tape loads completely but the deck doesn't know what's going on. Could be a sensor or a switch, possibly. Question is, do I want to spend any time sorting this out? I do like solving problems. At a minimum I'll post a pic or two of the lovely, copper chassis. No wonder it retailed for $950!
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Post by BBB on Feb 12, 2017 13:21:22 GMT -5
The 9090 is considered as one of the best receivers ever and still sought after today. The Sansui 9090 (110wpc) and the 9090DB (125wpc) have held their value. Typically selling on eBay for around the $750 original price; especially if they are clean and working now. They will power large professional DJ speakers. I have a 9090DB in great shape ready for restoration
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Post by MonkeyMan on Feb 13, 2017 9:02:24 GMT -5
The 9090 is considered as one of the best receivers ever and still sought after today. The Sansui 9090 (110wpc) and the 9090DB (125wpc) have held their value. Typically selling on eBay for around the $750 original price; especially if they are clean and working now. They will power large professional DJ speakers. I have a 9090DB in great shape ready for restoration Nice!
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