Found this vintage audio system (Vinyl)

Hey,

as the title says, I was going around in my dad’s basement when I found this:

 

Any info on this? Is it “hifi” or was it just inflated in price when it was purchased (They got it for a hefty price back in the 70s). Anyone here have memories with these maybe?

 

Not really HiFi, it's an "All in One" system. Try it and if you like records than get something better. Probably a step or two above the $100.00 record players you see in Walmart and such.

BillWojo

 

The turntable portion looks like it might be a Dual. If so those(1960s-1970s era Duals) are generally well regarded budget tables, I was advised to start with a one when I got into vinyl about a decade back. You'll want to replace the cartridge and pull up the platter to check out the drive system(Dual used all 3 technologies: Idler wheel, direct-drive, and belt-drive.) Maintenance there may or may not be necessary. Belts would need replacing, Idler wheels should be checked to make sure there's no irregularity around the rim, and DD is fine as is.

 

Can you get a better photo of the turntable portion? What I can see of it makes me think maybe Garrard, but that's less likely than RedFuneral's Dual suggestion if it's a US unit.

8-track!

 

Sorry... Highly unlikely to be anything "respectable."

This is a mass-market "music centre." Combination of deck, cassette and radio.

Folks, please remember (or remind yourselves) that everyone used to listen to vinyl. That's how music came. My parents had something like this in GB, back in 1970/80s: it was crap compared to the "Dynatron" (? if I remember correctly) mono in-a-box record player that I got my dad to buy me in, Hmmm, maybe around '69.

Don't know, but I guess that even this sort of thing was not dirt-cheap, as I don't think China had established itself, with the west as willing recipient, as mass producers of cheap gadgetry.

 

I thought about adding a line that if it is a Garrard, that doesn't necessarily mean high quality; there were a number of cheap Garrard tables around in the early 70s, including in applications like this.

 

Check out https://reverb.com/item/21745503-vi...r-marshall-the-complete-music-system-skcr-880 These were made in Great Britain and imported by MacDonald to the US in the 70s.

TT appears to be a BSR, probably a Fisher 310X variant.

Anyone here old enough to remember automatic record changers and 8 track tapes? Very groovy back in the day.

 

Certainly! Grew up with a Radiogram. You put a stack of records on the spindle, and it dropped them down one at a time. It only played 78s, though.

The deck had a name that was something like Colarado. Does that make any sense to anyone, or am I way off? Remembering back to mid-60s and before.

Ahh. I thought I vaguely remembered something other than the expensive decks I saw later in my life when they were already collector's items. Thanks.

 

"Collaro" record decks are a thing in GB: https://collaroaudio.co.uk/ Looks like they made quite a few variations back in the day.

 

Wow, thanks... that'll be the one! Looks like they only make mats and stuff now, but amazing that they still exist. Love the history page on their site, with pic of mass production.

Actually, the radiogram would have been there before I was, and was already old-fashioned by 1960. I was born in 1952, so it must have been 40s. Or maybe even earlier!

 

@Thad E Ginathom , here's a classic for you:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/893712711527088

 

Lovely. That's much posher than ours was!

 

Yeah, apparently my dad wants to preserve it the way it was (No new parts, just like a decor piece). This was bought in the US back in the 70s I think and brought back to Saudi after my grandfather had received one of his first paychecks working in the Saudi Airlines. Tons of memories linked to it, sad to see it collect dust. Maybe I can convince him to give me it later :/ .

Already back in the US now, can't take pics!

I HAVE to send this to my dad. Thanks for the link!