Vintage Console Stereo - An Idea that could rise again!

I recently came across this old console stereo system in a thrift store.  I didn't have room for it in our new place and I didn't have the inclination to start a new project.

However, I wish I would have.  I think a console stereo would solve a lot of problems.

Don't like to see unsightly stereo cables?  The console stereo solves the problem.

Don't want a living room dominated by electronics?  Problem solved.  A console stereo looks like the rest of your furniture.

Of course, you would either have to invest heavily to restore the old components or gut the console and replace everything with new stereo components.  It's a tough call.  No one really wants to throw out history.  However, you also want to be cool about fire safety!

This particular example has solid state electronics with an AM/FM stereo and a record player.  With vinyl being in, if this thing worked, that would be really cool.

The price of this model was only $10.91.  That's a good deal for the cabinet alone.  But, without a garage, a major restoration might not be easy!  I don't know much about the history of this stereo.  Garrard was once a famous British maker of turntables.  The Symphonic brand is currently owned by Funai electronics.

Believe it or not, there are companies out there that specialize in the restoration and resale of old console stereos.   You can visit this one here:  Audio Archeology.

Tiny Stereo for Tiny Houses

If I was going to build a tiny house, I would want it to be a sanctuary that I could fill with just a few fine things that were comfortable and soothing. In the audio arena, I would want to equip my tiny house with a tiny sound system.

Tiny House in Oregon - Photo By Tammy (Weekend with Dee) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If I were operating on a budget that allowed room for a few fine things, I would strongly consider this Orb speaker system and mini Amp. It comes with a small mini subwoofer that would be unobtrusive in even the smallest of homes and I would place the spherical Orb speakers where they could cover the house well.


If the tiny home had a sleeping loft, I'd place an additional QuickPack of two Orb speakers for the upstairs sleeping space. They would look good and sound great!


Now, if I had to equip my tiny house on an even tinier budget, I'd have to get creative.  But, that would be the subject of another post!

Alternatives to the Bose Wave Radio System

Every year, someone in America thinks that getting an aging parent a nice radio is a great gift idea.  If that someone has plenty of money, they simply buy a Bose Wave radio system off of a television shopping network and call it a day.



However, the Bose Wave Music System IV is a rather expensive system. While it sounds great, it isn't affordable for most of us. That's where the Dirt Cheap Audio blog comes in. There has to be an alternative.


One premium alternative is this Yamaha system. The Yamaha MCR-BO43BL is much more than a boombox and offers the premium sound that you are looking for --

If that is still out of your price range, no worries.  It's out of my price range too! For the budget minded, I think the Crosley Solo is a great choice!  I've spent lots  of time listening to these radios on display.  They are simple and great sounding.  It can also take sound from an auxiliary source like a cell phone, tablet or computer via an auxiliary input cable.

Vintage Receiver Review: Technics SA-160

For the last few months, I have used a Technics SA-160 receiver as a bedroom unit.  I found it for less than $20 at Goodwill.  I snatched it up because the balance was slightly off and a couple of LEDs were burnt out on my Sony unit.

The Technics SA-160  is less powerful than the Sony.  But, certainly does well as a secondary unit. 

 

Serious audiophiles will probably scoff at this receiver.  For example, this poster on Head-Fi pronounced it black plastic crap. 

However, in the dirt cheap audio space, working trumps all specifications.  Since space is at a premium in our new space, I'll probably re-donate this unit and use a micro system or radio instead.  I have a couple that work really well.

Thrift Store Stereo - Panasonic SA-PM18 Mini Stereo with 5-disc Changer

Check out this Panasonic Mini Stereo SA-PM18 with built in 5-disc changer.  It's a neat little stereo system and a reminder that all of this stereo equipment is just stuff.  Of course, some of this stereo equipment is really cool stuff.  But, it's still just stuff.

Panasonic SA-PM Stereo

For example, once upon a time, a teen or "tween" might have clamored for this Panasonic SA-PM18 stereo for their room.  But, now, that same stereo has found its way to Goodwill.  What was once a $150-$200 stereo is now a $20 stereo.  Since it was engineered to last, chances are this little stereo still has a lot of life left in it.



The Panasonic SA-PM18 mini stereo has a 5-disc changer, a cassette player, AM/FM receiver, and the all important Auxiliary input.  That auxiliary allows you to plug in modern gadgets like cell phones, tablets, or laptops and play music.  It has 6-ohm, 60 watt, speakers and the amplifier puts out about 30 watts per channel.  If you need a manual for a Panasonic SA-PM18 Mini Stereo you can find it here on the Panasonic support site.

When you go "thrifting" enough, you realize that all material goods eventually end up at Goodwill for a fraction of their original price.  Once that is realized, it becomes difficult to pay full price.  Of course, if you are dealing with mechanically complex and fragile CD changers, it might be worth it to buy a new micro stereo system.

Amazon Prime Review: Why I Like Amazon Prime

For the past few months, I've been using Amazon Prime.  I'm not yet using all the free features.  For example, I don't yet have a Kindle so I haven't ordered any of the free e-books.  I also don't have a fancy flat screen so I haven't streamed any video.  However, I have enjoyed the heck out of the Amazon Prime music service.

With Amazon Prime, you can search for artists or songs and stream many of them for free. It's awesome.   You can add free songs from Amazon Prime directly to your library or to playlists that you design.  You can also find Amazon Prime streaming "radio" stations and stream music from the same genre.

Amazon Prime has let me explore music genres that I don't usually listen to and see if I like them.  For example, I've been listening to rock and pop.  But, I've discovered a select few country acts that I really like.  For example, I love the old country super group, The Highwaymen, now.  Johnny Cash, Willy Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristoferson once made a hell of a team.

Overall, I've found that the free shipping options and discounts that Amazon Prime provides go along way towards offsetting the cost of the service.  Since we're in the Holiday Season, there has never been a better time to sign up for a free trial. You Amazon prime purchase will help this blog and save you a ton of money on shipping.

Join Amazon Prime - Listen to Over a Million Songs - Start Free Trial Now

Speaker Choices

Inexpensive Bookshelf Speakers

Do you need an inexpensive pair of quality bookshelf speakers to get your cheap stereo system going?  If so, you might check out these Polk Audio T15 Bookshelf Speakers.  While there are some less expensive speakers out there, these can handle 8 Ohm Impedence and 150 watts.  That means your old 80s or 90s vintage stereo receiver will probably work well with these speakers!


Of course, if you want to go even cheaper on bookshelf speakers, that can be arranged!  These Pyle bookshelf speakers generally retail for $20 a pair!

A little research can yield amazing bookshelf prices on Amazon!

Dirt Cheap Audio Saturday Deals - Class T Amp and Speaker Combo!

 Cheap Class T Amp and Speaker Combination

Finally, if you just want to pipe some sound from a computer or a cellphone through an amp to some real stereo speakers, you just need something like a Class T amp and some speakers.  This Dayton Audio combination should fit the bill perfectly.

Class T Amp

If you already have some speakers, you can get this Pyle 60 watt Class T amp for a good price as well.  You can get less expensive Class T amps, but a 60-watt unit should have the power needed to drive a decent pair of bookshelf speakers.

Dirt Cheap Audio Black Friday

There are legions of stores out there trying to get you in there doors to buy audio equipment.  They'll sell you on all the bells and whistles.  They'll sell you on cell phone compatibility.  Even though it's "Black Friday," you'll plunk down hundreds of dollars and think you got a great deal.

However, on this Dirt Cheap Audio blog, we'll try to do things a little differently.
We'll try to figure out a cheap way to get what you need.

Bluetooth Stereo Adapter

First, do you want a Bluetooth compatible stereo?  If so, why not try an adapter to allow your current stereo to become Bluetooth compatible.  This will allow you to play music from your cellphone on your stereo.  This little unit is so inexpensive that it's silly not to give it a try:




It doesn't take a lot of money to have a successful "Black Friday."  It doesn't even take a Friday.  You just need to evaluate your audio needs and pull the trigger very carefully.  With a little judicious shopping, you can beat the official "Black Friday" deals any day of the week. We'll have more cool gear to feature throughout the weekend!

Sony CMT-BR5 Hi Fi Stereo Micro Component System

As the pendulum swings back towards small and compact stereo gear in our household, I noticed this sweet Sony Hi Fi Stereo CMT-RB5 Micro Component System.  It is a simple stereo with 4-ohm speakers, a single tray CD player, and AM-FM radio.

 

Sony CMT-RB5 Hi Fi Micro Component Stereo System

The system is probably ten years old and got good reviews on Amazon.  This example is missing a remote, but has good speaker surrounds.  For only $18, it would be a good buy if everything checks out.  Here are a couple of the latest Sony Micro Component Stereos:

Overall, it seems like the "Micro Component Stereo System" is fading fast on Amazon.  Many manufacturers are discontinuing these types of systems as they are being displaced by laptops, tablets, and cell phones connected to speakers or headphones.  However, this Yamaha system also looks like a quality unit:

Thrift Store Radio: Jensen Portable Radio

I came across this Jensen MR-550 portable radio for only $2.92 at my local Goodwill.  It sounded good, had a weighty speaker, had a nice antenna, and even had an auxiliary input.  Unfortunately, our apartment is literally awash in portable radios and I really didn't need another one.  However, it would make a great external speaker for  a PC, a laptop, a cellphone, or a tablet.

Jenson MR-550 Portable Radio

All you'd have to do is run an external output cable from the headphone port to the auxiliary input on this radio.  For three dollars and a length of cable, that's not a bad deal!  A similar Jensen radio costs nearly ten times the price new.  But, if you need it, it's a nice pickup.

Even new, this Jenson portable radio is quite reasonably priced on Amazon and it does have an auxiliary input jack.

Earbuds Review: Sharper Image SHP893 PIXIS Earbuds

I recently bought a set of Sharper Image SHP893 PIXIS Metal Earbuds.  They only cost $9.99 at my local close-out discounter:  Ross.  Apparently, they have been discontinued at Sharper Image online.

Sharper Image SHP893 PIXIS Metallic Earbuds

Specifications

These Sharper Image earbuds boast 9mm diameter trumpets, 18-ohm impedance, 93+-3 dB/mW sensitivity, and 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response.  The microphone type is 4 x 1.5mm.  It has -42+-3 dB/mW sensitivity.  The flexible, tangle-free cord is 120 centimeters (about 4 feet) long. It has a standard 3.5mm stereo plug which is compatible with most portable devices.  There is a disconnect button on the microphone.

Style

These earbuds have a plastic body with a metal barrel around the speaker.  The back of each earbud is open with a metal grate.  Two additional earpads are provided for those who would prefer larger or smaller pads for a good fit.  My earbuds were black, but on Amazon you can find Sharper Image SHP893 earbuds in different colors.

Sound

These earbuds sound quite good.  They promise superior sound, ultra bass boost, and noise isolation.  For the most part they deliver.  However, I think that the "noise isolation" is merely due to the earpads.

Overall

I recommend Sharper Image PIXIS SHP893 earbuds.  I've used them for all day conference calls and found them quite comfortable.  They sound good and offer a good value for the money.

Headphones Review: Panasonic HX450C

One of the first boxes I opened after our move contained a brand new pair of Panasonic HX450 Headphones.  I picked them up at Marshall's for the princely sum of $29.99.  So far, they have been well worth the price.

Panasonic HX450 Headphones

HERITAGE

Panasonic is no stranger to music, stereos, and speakers.  They were successful with their mid-range Technics stereo brand during the 70s, 80s, and early 90s.  This stereo heritage carries over into the specs for these headphones.

SPECIFICATIONS

These HX-450 headphones have 36mm drivers and large, snug, ear cups that do a good job of isolating the listener from exterior noise.  If you are listening to these, people will have to smack you upside the head to get your attention.  The frequency response of these headphones ranges from 9 Hz to 25Mhz. 
They have a built in microphone with remote on the cord. 

COMPATIBILITY

According to the box, these headphones are compatible with the following Apple phones:  iphone 3gs, iphone 4, iphone 4s, and iphone 5.  These headphones are compatible iPod touch, iPod nano, iPod Shuffle, and iPod classic.  Finally, they also  work with iPad, iPad 2, iPad (Third and Fourth generation), and iPad mini.  For the rest of us, it has a 3.5mm stereo plug that works with nearly everything.  I have been using them with an LG smartphone.

COMFORT

These headphones are well constructed and comfortable.  They don't get too hot during periods of extended wear.  The ear cups are a bit tall and oval and sometimes felt a little narrow for my ears.  However, I was able to wear them for extended periods without any issue.

AVAILABILITY

While I bought these headphones at Marshall's, the discounters inventory is often hit-or-miss.  I was able to reliably find Panasonic HX450 Headphones on Amazon in a variety of colors.

OVERALL

I would highly recommend these headphones as a high quality inexpensive set of headphones for any stereo.

Accuradio, A Phone, and some Cans

Our move was a disaster.  Our new apartment sucks.  We haven't even unpacked while we contemplate our fate. In the meantime, I'm listening to AccuRadio on my cellphone with a pair of JVC headphones from a discount store like Ross.  The music isn't audiophile quality, but it sounds pretty good.  It's a bit of a comfort.

I like the spy movie and TV themes on the 007 Channel, Secret Agent Radio, and Open Channel D.  I also like the throwback vibe of The Rat Pack channel.  But, when I want something more modern, I opt for HitKast.  If you want dirt cheap audio and you have an internet connection, it's hard to beat AccuRadio.

Moving Vintage Audio Equipment

We're moving.  In the chaos, I've had to ditch my turntable, my modest collection of seventy-nine cent vinyl, and my big Technics speakers.  It's downsizing.  But, someone at Goodwill will find some good stuff.

Since the turntable went, I'll probably part with the tape deck as well.  We just don't have many cassettes.  Plus, the sound quality of cassettes isn't that great anyway.

The fun part will be rebuilding our stereo system with the idea of being compact, practical, and--since we'll still be in an apartment--neighborly.  Going forward, I see digital formats and more internet radio in our future.  It will be interesting.

Record Recycling: Great Vinyl from the Thrift Store

Someone donated a fantastic vinyl record collection to Goodwill.  The collection featured great groups like Earth, Wind, and Fire.  I found Jazz masters like Thelonious Monk and Cannonball Adderly.  I recognized familiar blues kings like Albert Collins, Robert Cray, and Johnny Copeland collaborating on an album.  I picked up household names like Lou Rawls. Even Gladys Knight and the Pips were in the stacks of old vinyl.

These aren't the Eighties icons that formed the mainstays of my music collection.  But, I recognized some great groups.  When I get home, I'll get to listen to them.  So whomever you are who donated to Goodwill, thanks for making your donation and thanks for sharing your music.  It will play on!

An Old School Stereo for Less than $30

Are you looking to get a stereo cheap?  A few weeks ago, I came across a couple of interesting stereo components that could have led me to the construction of a pretty nice sub-$30 old school stereo.

First, in a Goodwill in the far flung suburbs of Atlanta, I found two stereo receivers for $24.99 each.  The first component  was a Sherwood RX-4100 receiver.  It's a 105 watt 2-channel stereo unit with 0.05 THD distortion.  The Sherwood RX-4100 Stereo Receiver received mixed reviews on Amazon.com due primarily to the lack of tone controls.  If you need a manual for this stereo receiver it can be found on manualslib.com. 

Sherwood RX-4100 Stereo Receiver

The second component was an Insignia 200 watt stereo reciever.  Insignia is well known as the house brand of Best Buy.

Finally, a solitary Lxi brand single-disc CD player was selling just down the aisle for just under $4.  Of course, the $20,000 question remains:  will a $4 CD player work?  It did power on and off.  The door also opened and closed.  A simple CD player from Goodwill just might work.  It's the multi-disc CD players that get clunky.

 

That's a lot of stereo for $29.  Of course, speakers are another matter.  However, I've often seen mondo speakers for as low as $20 a pair.  Small bookshelf speakers could go for as little as $10.  As long as you can see that there are no tears in a speaker cone and that the foam surrounds around a speaker are intact, you almost can't go wrong with speakers from a thrift store.  However, there are also some great speaker deals on the Internet.

We live in an era when any resourceful kid can put together a great stereo.  We are lucky to be living in the twilight of a golden age of stereo technology.

Saying Goodbye to CD Jewel Cases

We recently accomplished something major.  We got rid of all of our CD jewel cases.  We transferred each CD and CD cover pamphlet into a couple of CD portfolio cases.

The tough part of the project was alphabetizing all of the CDs and getting CD paperwork into the portfolio.  Here is my advice for organizing CDs in this manner:

1. Get all of your CDs together in one place.
2. Get a storage portfolio for each genre of music.
3.Divide your CDs by genre and alphabetize them consistently.
4. Start filing.  You may want to start jotting down the tunes for each CD onto a notecard to file with each disc.
5. Once you've filed all your CDs into portfolios, go thrugh ypur stack of jewel cases and make sure you didn't miss any double CDs or important pamphlets.

Once you're done, dump all the empty jewel cases into a recycling bin.

Vintage Audio Sighting: Technics SB-2745 Speakers

Just a week after buying myself mondo huge Technics speakers, I came across a second similar set in a different thrift store.  These were Technics SB-2745 speakers.  They had similar characteristics to my larger Technics SB-2845 speakers.  However, these speakers had a pronounced duct at the bottom.

Technics SB-2745 Speakers

Like my speakers, the Technics SB-2745 speakers were 200 watt speakers.  While the cabinets bore the scars of a long life, the cones and surrounds looked good.  If the sound quality came any where near the quality of my SB-2845 speakers, then someone found a great deal!

Technics SB-2745 Speakers

The frequency response curves looked similar to those of my Technics speakers.  These would definitely rock the house!  Like most Technics gear, these speakers probably don't get the respect they deserve.  Here is a discussion on Audiokarma.org.  However, I suspect that they are probably much better than the average modern stereo speaker.

As this audioholic found, people who stumble across these speakers and hook them up are surprised and pleased!

Deals Foregone - A Sharp Mini Stereo System

I almost bought this little Sharp Mini Stereo a few weeks ago.  The speakers on it sounded really good.  The Goodwill had it priced to move at only $11.  I found a CD and listened to it for awhile.  Sound was wonderful.  The volume seemed more than adequate to fill a room.  However, the tape deck was not working.

Sharp Mini Stereo System

Ultimately, I decided to pass.  At the time, we didn't need any more stereo equipment in the house.  I think I might have missed out.  But, Sharp still makes mini stereos.

How Can I Add More Inputs To My Stereo?

In a world full of personal devices, it is easy to run out of auxiliary inputs on an old school stereo.  Most old school stereos were designed for inputs from a record player, a tape deck or two, and a CD player.  When you want to add a cellphone, a tablet, a computer, and an MP3 player, you can run into problems.
How do you add new devices to a stereo?

The answer is simple: an audio source selector switch box.   I picked a Radio Shack switch box up at a thrift store for just a few dollars and now I can plug in nearly any device wthout running out of audio inputs.  If you'd like to save yourself months of searching your local thrifts, simply check one of these out:

Pioneer Speakers: CS-G104. Floorstanding Speakers

I recently ran into some interesting looking speakers at Goodwill.  They were Pioneer CS-G104 Floorstanding Speakers.  

Pioneer CS-G104 Speakers

I didn't have my pocket knife so I couldn't pry the grills off.  However, when I shined my phone's flashlight through the black grill cloth, I couldn't see any flaws in the speaker cones or surrounds.  Even the wood laminate cabinets seemed unblemished.  Plus, it was also only $10.91 for the pair.  Plus, you just can't get this kind of quality colored vinyl laminated wood any more here in America.

 A quick check of this CS-G104 review on the interwebs revealed that owners were generally pleased with the sound from these speakers.  The interesting thing about this speaker design is that it has no dedicated mid-range speaker.  It just has a 10-inch woofer and a tweeter.  According to the information printed on the back, these are 50 watt speakers with 6 ohm resistance.  They were also made in the U.S.A. with U.S. and imported parts.

Pioneer CS-G104 Specifications

I was sorely tempted.  But, I had no rational reason to buy them.  I am quite happy with my current Pioneer bookshelf speakers.  I also like my monolithic Technics speakers.  So, I left them in the wild.  Perhaps someone else will discover them and get great joy using them in conjunction with a vintage receiver.

Cheap Earphones Review: Nakamichi NK780 Metallic Over-The-Ear Headphones

I've been enjoying my latest dirt cheap audio find:  Nakamichi NK780M headphones. I found them at Kmart for astonishingly low price of $8.  Now, these headphones obviously aren't Sennheiser or Bose.  But, they stand out from a crowded field of low cost headphones.

Nakamichi Over The Ear Headphones - Metallic Edition

Of course, it's crucial to know that these headphones aren't actually made by the fabled Nakamichi company of yore.  Nakamichi had trouble making the transition into the era of CD players.  Now, like many such revered names, the Nakamichi brand is owned by holding company that makes products in China.  But, all of that is history, how are today's Nakamichi headphones.  The answer is not bad.

Nakamichi NK780 Metallic Over-The-Ear Headphones

Specifications.  My Nakamichi headphones are the NK780M metallic edtion over the ear headphones.  They have 40mm drivers with a sensitivity of 96dB plus or minus 3 dB.  They have a frequency response listed of 20 to 20000 Hz.  They have a detachable, cloth-covered, cord that is about 1.5 meters long.  They also come with a built in microphone with a remote.  They have perforated ear pads that are quite comfortable.

Sound.  The sound from these headphones is quite good to my ears.  It seems well balanced and pleasant.  I think normal folks will be happy with them.  Audiophiles will probably find fault and pay for more expensive gear. These were very nice for streaming audio on my phone.  I don't think the earphones were a weak link in my audio chain.

Durability.  I have fallen asleep while wearing these headphones a couple of times.  I have rolled on them, and I have slept on them.  They have survived.  This is no small feat since I am a big guy weighing over 350 pounds.  These headphones hold up better than many in the category.  Thre are no small and fussy exposed parts to bend or break.  Like most low cost headphones, the simulated leather padding is a little thin and the stitching is a little uneven when observed very closely.

Style.  The style of these headphones is modern and contemporary.  The Nakamichi name and logo are present in an obvious, but understated, way.  The metallic backs of the headphones are shiny and sleek.

Comfort.  I found these headphones to be comfortable once I adjusted them to keep the padded arch up  off of the top of my head.  The ear pad cushions are quite comfortable.

Overall, I like these earphones.  They provide good sound for a good price.  If you check them out on Amazon, you may well find low prices from a variety of sellers.  They are great bang-around headphones.

 

Technics Thrift Store Stereo System

Over the Memorial Day weekend, I saw an interesting looking Technics stereo set up at a local thrift store.  The system was like my current main system (Technics SU-V76 amplifier and Technics ST-S76 AM/FM radio tuner) with the addition of a Technics multi-CD player. 

For speakers, the thrift store had hooked up some venerable Realistic Optimus-2B speakers.  These speakers were made in the 1975 timeframe.  You can read more at Seventies Stereo about the Optimus-2B.

I didn't have a chance to stop and give these a listen, but it's really cool that this particular Goodwill store takes the time to set up working stereo systems.

Vintage Speaker Review: Technics SB-2845 Speakers

I recently added a set of vintage Technics SB-2845 3-way Speakers to my stereo system.  These speakers are 200-watt old school monsters!  They were a ridiculous purchase for an apartment dweller.  However, they sound very good.

When I found these speakers in a downtown Atlanta Goodwill for $20, I immediately pulled off the grills.  I expected to find dusty blown out speakers with half the foam flaked off the surrounds and a ripped cone or two.  Instead I found all the surrounds and cones to be intact.  The only issue seemed to be their size and some crumbly laminate at the rear of each enclosure.

When I brought them home, I found that the bulky Technics speakers dwarfed my sizeable Cerwin-Vega VS100 floor speakers.  The SB-2845 speakers were quite a bit taller and a little wider.   Fortunately, they weren't quite as deep so they nestled up against our walls quite well.

I hooked them up and found the sound quality to be very good.  The bass was deep and powerful.  The mid-range sounds and high notes all sounded clear.  Even our dog seemed happy with the sound.  He positioned himself in the perfect spot between the speakers.

Of course, when I posted about the Technics SB-2845 speaker's  on audiokarma, the very first reply scoffed and dismissed them as low end rack system crap speakers.  Perhaps if I "auditioned" dozens of speakers over the years, I might think the same.  But, I'm not so sure.  When it comes to stereo equipment, to thine own ears be true.  They sound good to me and I'm happy with them.

Of course, the Technics brand never got a lot of respect.  It was always known as a solid mid-range brand for Panasonic.  However, I have nothing but respect for mid-range brands that deliver solid value.  These speakers were a great find for $20!

Nakamichi Headphone Deal

It's been quiet on this blog lately, but I've recently added a few new and vintage items.

The first thing you should know is that Kmart has many Nakamichi brand headphones marked for clearance .  I bought some full-sized Over-The-Ear head phones for $8.  That is an amazing price! Others were marked at similarly affordable prices.

Big Ass Fisher DS-151 Speakers from the Thrift Store

Big ass speakers are one fun thing about shopping for home audio gear at the thrift store.   You can find some really big speakers that are wildly impractical by today's standards.  

Fisher DS-151 Speakers

For example, last week I saw these Fisher DS-151 speakers at Goodwill.  The cabinets were quite large.  Notice the TV and mini-stereo speakers in the picture above.  The speakers appeared to be in good shape.  However, they weren't as powerful as their size might indicate.  They are three way 50 watt speakers with 8 ohms of impedance.

Some Fisher speakers are reputed to sound really good--especially with classical music.  But, since these are really old speakers, I'll bet they will need to be restored.  For example, they may need to be refoamed.  But, they both looked pretty good.  SOmeone will find a treasure!

Fisher DS-151 Speakers Uncovered

My Thrift Store Yamaha Multi disc CD Player

Oops, I did it again!  I bought a Yamaha Multidisc CD player at the thrift store for $11.  I shouldn't have done it.  I've advised against it on many occasions. But, I couldn't resist the low price tag.  

 

My grandmother-in-law used to say, "Those who don't listen have to feel." 

I've mentioned before that used multi disc CD players are not a good deal.  There is just too much that can go wrong.  But, since I didn't listen, I have to feel.  The door to this CD player won't open and it gets stuck playing the same spot on the CD over and over.

Of course, with every stupid move, there is an opportunity to learn something.  So, I've taken the opportunity to look at the inside of a multi disc CD player. 

Lesson #1: When the Goodwill guy says they test all the electronics at a particular store: Disbelieve.

To learn more, I watched a couple of YouTube video to become an expert.

Then, I disassembled the CD player and cleaned the laser with an eyeglass wipe.  According to Youtube, you too can easily fix complicated electronics containing lasers.

 

Lesson #2:  Watching a Youtube Video to learn something is only slightly more effective than staying at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

After completing the painstaking Cleaning process, I put CD's back in the player and it did the same damn thing.  So, I gave up and hooked up a single disc CD player that I bought months ago.

Lesson #3:  If your CD player was made in 1993, you need a new one.

 

Playing with a Vintage Test Record

If you are ever perusing old records at a thrift store, you may run across a test record.  I recently bought one that was created for Radio Shack entitled:  "Realistic Stereo Test Record for Home & Laboratory Use."  According to the album dust cover, it includes the following tests:  channel identification, channel balance, frequency response, speaker phasing, effective hum, rumble, flutter, stereo spread, cartridge evaluation, and stereo separation.  I'm not sure what all of those things mean.  But, I'm learning.

The channel identification just lets you distinguish between the left and right channel.  The channel balance helps you determine if you are getting the same amount of signal out of the left and right channel.  In my case, I wasn't getting as much power out of my right channel and had to adjust my speaker balance.  The frequency response plays warbling tones at various frequencies versus a control tone.  It confirmed that my bookshelf speakers can only play bass so low.

The flip side of the record has music selections that put your stereo to the test by playing music selected to demonstrate both low and high frequency tones.

Today, various companies still make audio test CDs or MP3 tracks for download.  These give you an opportunity to find out what your stereo can do.  Of course, these CDs are dangerous.  They could lead you down that slippery slope towards becoming a true audiophile!

Close Encounters of the Kenwood Kind: KA-31 Amp, KT-31 Tuner, and KX-31 Tape Deck

Yesterday, I visited several Atlanta area thrift stores.  I checked out old stereos and vinyl albums.  I found some interesting stereo components.

70s Vintage Kenwood KA-31 Amp, KT-31 Tuner, and KX-31 Tape Deck

One interesting stereo that I found was the Kenwood KA-31 Amplifier, KT-31 Tuner, and and KX-31 Tape deck.  All had a dusty, dingy, appearance.  However, the trio would have cleaned up well.  They all had the shiny chrome face that was so popular during the 1970s and early 80s.  Plus, the whole bundle would have only been $25 at Goodwill.  Unfortunately, I could not find enough cables to hook everything together and see if it actually worked.

Controls for Kenwood KA-31 Amp

 

Front Panel for Kenwood KT-31 Tuner

A quick Google search didn't reveal anything spectacular about these vintage Kenwood stereo components.  If anything, some online discussions alluded to a time of low quality Kenwood equipment.  You can find specs and manual information at HiFi Engine.  Since my current stereo equipment is working, I shifted my search to vinyl.  Still it was an interesting Goodwill find.

Cheap Speaker Review: Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Speakers

My quest for dirt cheap bookshelf speakers came to an end last weekend.  I happened across a pair of open box Pioneer bookshelf speakers on clearance at Walmart for only $50.  Since they normally cost $80, I pounced.  They turned out to be discontinued Pioneer SP-BS21-LR bookshelf speakers. These speakers were part of an expensive series of Pioneer Speakers designed by Andrew Jones and perform wonderfully.

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Speaker

The Pioneer SP-BS21-LR S speakers earned good reviews from a variety of critics, but were outperformed by the even more popular SP-BS22-LR speaker series.  However, in the world of audio, outperformed is a relative term.  If you are a normal mortal, I think you'll be pleased by these speakers.  I certainly find them pleasant for low to moderate volume bedroom use.  I've listened to jazz, symphonies, pop, and rock albums on these speakers and I've enjoyed them all.

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Curved Cabinet

According to the Pioneer packaging, the SP-BS21-LR bookshelf speakers were designed by Chief Audio Engineer Andrew Jones.  They also have oversized magnets for powerful bass,  a superior crossover design for full spectrum clarity, a curved cabinet to reduce vibrations, and a 1-inch soft dome tweeter for crisp, accurate, high frequencies.

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Speaker Specs

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR speakers are 80 watt units with 6-ohms impedance.  They have a sleek, modern, cabinet design with gently curved cabinet.

If you can afford the improved Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Speakers by all means get them. At times, the price difference may be as little as $30. However, if you are on a budget and you want to stay dirt cheap, then scoop up a pair of the SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Speakers. You'll probably find them to be excellent speakers.