Thrift Store Stereo: Hitachi SR-804 Receiver

My quest for old stereos has slowed down a bit now that I have reliable Technics and Sony stereo systems.  However, I still test out any old system that I find on the Goodwill shelves.  On a recent run, I came across this vintage Hitachi SR-804 Receiver.  It has that silver face that everyone loves!

Hitachi SR-804 Receiver (Front)

Unfortunately, I could only get it to power one speaker.  I passed.  I don't need another semi-functional receiver to add to my pile of projects.

Hitachi SR-804 (Rear)

From what I've read on audiokarma.org this Hitachi unit is a surprisingly powerful receiver.  The unit is a Class G reciever that contains circuitry to double its output from 50 watts to 100 watts for peak demands.

For more information and specifications, check out this post on Stereonomono. 

Thrift Store Find: Technics SA-222 Receiver

I found yet another bargain-priced receiver at Goodwill the other day.  It's a silver-faced Technics SA-222 Receiver that provides 30 watts per channel.  I had been having trouble with my even older Miida receiver and this one has a nice compact form factor.  It fits well on my dresser and powers my 50 watt Sony speakers quite nicely.  The controls are simple, you can preset a few radio stations, and hook up a phonograph or another auxiliary input.  This unit is simple and easy to use.  Plus, it was only $15 at the thrift store.

Technics SA-222 Receiver

Initially, I was overjoyed with my find.  However, like many thrift store finds, there turns out to be something wrong with this receiver.  The "Quartz Lock" feature of the radio tuner is out.  Thus, it will not seek, lock into, and receive any radio stations in stereo.  When I opt for mono reception, I get nice strong signals and the stations sound great.  It's not the biggest problem in the world, but it is a niggle.  The receiver works great as far as the phonograph goes.  It produces nice sound and powers my thrift store speakers perfectly.

Alas Poor Technics SA-222 your Quartz Lock does not Lock!

However, since I am not an electronics technician, niggles can be really annoying.  Even though I can't hear a problem, I know that it is there.  When I talk to an audiophile friend of mine, he makes it worse with one simple statement:

"You know--when you add up all these $15 to $40 receivers--you could have just bought yourself one nice, modern, receiver."

According to our HR department, strangling a co-worker is against company policy.  However, he does have a point.  While I do enjoy discovering new "old" stereo equipment and I'm really happy with my main system, a Technics SU-V76 amplifier and ST-S76 tuner, the niggles that I've had with other vintage finds are annoying.


Once we move again, I am going to have to bust out with the money for a nice, new, receiver for our bedroom system.  It won't have to cost a million bucks.  As long as the quartz lock works, I'll be ahead of the game.

Thrift Store Stereo: Panasonic RE-7700 AM/FM Receiver

I recently brought another vintage stereo component home from the Thrift Store.  This one is a Panasonic RE-7700 AM/FM Receiver.  You can manually tune the receiver or press and auto-tune button that will let the receiver go lock in on a station.  The unit can be hooked to external antennas, but I'm finding that the internal FM antenna works really well.

Panasonic RE-7700 AM/FM Receiver

Here is a vintage advertisement for this circa 1969 Panasonic stereo.  It's an entry level unit that is for sure.  But, it pulls in my local classic rock station really well and it sounds pretty good using headphones.

Panasonic RE-7700 Advertisement

 The only hitch is that this stereo requires 16-ohm speakers and is probably good for about 9 watts per channel.  That should be just fine for a bedroom unit.  But, I'll have to scrounge up some suitable speakers from a thrift store or online auction.  Of course, when you only pay $7.87 for a stereo receiver, there is no reason to overpay for suitable speakers.

Panasonic RE-7700 Stereo Receiver

Here is some readable ad copy for this Panasonic RE-7700 Receiver.  I love the way that this receiver lights up the room at night.

I'll post a night time picture of this stereo soon!  For now, it's just a great find for less than $10!  To learn more I've started a thread on the AudioKarma discussion board.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=564839