Panasonic RX-5100 vs. RX-5110

Status
Not open for further replies.
DKVII

DKVII

Member (SA)
Dec 16, 2013
142
0
16
27
Chapmanville, WV
A couple of weeks ago, I spotted a Panasonic RX-5110 on eBay. It was set on a reserve price and I usually don't fool with those, but I bid it up just to see if I could get it over the reserve. I actually did end up getting over the reserve, but since it already had about nine bids before me and a day left on the auction, I wasn't really expecting to win it. Well, I logged onto eBay the next night and found out that I did in fact win the auction to my surprise. Although it was advertised as an "everything works!" box, I didn't really expect it to work correctly since the seller only had three feedback scores left on his page. However, I finally got it today and once again to my surprise, everything is working exactly as it should in perfect order!

My question is, what are the differences between this one and the RX-5100 other than the 5100 lacking tweeters and a voltage selector? By all of my indications, they are virtually the same box. I ask this question because I have had many, many opportunities to get an RX-5100, but have never really taken to doing it. I don't think I'll need one, though, because this one seems to be more difficult to find, and it sounds awesome for its size.

Panasonic RX-5110.jpg

BOOMBOX HOODIE.jpg
 
AE_Stereo

AE_Stereo

Member (SA)
Apr 24, 2012
732
115
43
Abu Dhabi, UAE
DKVII said:
.... I didn't really expect it to work correctly since the seller only had three feedback scores left on his page. However, I finally got it today and once again to my surprise, everything is working exactly as it should in perfect order! .....
Click to expand...
That is the beauty of Panasonics with this type of cassette mechanism. They work for ever.

I my times at your age,(in 1980's when you were not born!), a cassette player was the means to listen to your favorite music. Can you imagine a cassette player working 4 to 5 hours a day, 365 days a year. What will be the wear & tear? So after a year or two the head, pinch roller and the belts will give way. At that time, I wished if I had a Panasonic like this, envying my friends who had similar boxes.

Excellent find.

Can you post the picture of top control panel to see if there is any difference on the controls. I have a JDM 5100.
 
AE_Stereo

AE_Stereo

Member (SA)
Apr 24, 2012
732
115
43
Abu Dhabi, UAE
AE_Stereo said:
Voltage selector is specific to market region in which it is sold. Nothing to do with the model.
e.g. All boomboxes sold in the middle east used to have 110/220 50Hz/60Hz Voltage selector, to cater for the expat community from all over the world.
Click to expand...
 
JVC Floyd

JVC Floyd

Inactive (Delete)
May 6, 2009
7,322
419
83
54
Maryland USA.
i had one those little boxes can belt out the sound , all my panasonic's do .must be a good box because i sold mine withing 48 hours ,somebody asked about it and i sold it .
 
DKVII

DKVII

Member (SA)
Dec 16, 2013
142
0
16
27
Chapmanville, WV
As weird as it might sound, I kind of like these boxes with the controls on top better as opposed to the ones with all of that on the front (think RX-5150 or RX-5500). Don't get me wrong, the latter ones look cool as any, but the ones on top like this 5110 just look and feel a lot more "classic" to me, even though they are just as old as any. It might just because the first boxes I were exposed to had them on top. :hmmm:
 
caution

caution

Member (SA)
Mar 25, 2014
2,506
341
83
Boomboxery
Hey DK, congrats! Being able to win an auction for a box of that age in that shape, for cheap, that's a very rare occasion. I find it so cool that someone your age is into vintage audio stuff. At first I thought you were a collector of vintago audio gear for 17 years... 17 years OLD, that's even more awesome!

Like you, I was first exposed to top controls, and prefer them as well. When I was 10 (waaay back in 1983), a kid a couple years older than me would bring an RX-5010 on the bus every day, and I'd try to sit close to him so I could check it out. The part about having the controls on top is that you can easily adjust them with the same arm you're cradling the box in, which is more convenient (and a lot cooler looking) than having to reach over with your other free hand to fiddle with front-mounted controls.

My collection of audio gear has varied over the years but it never involved boxes. I started to get a hankering for the old Pannies a couple months ago, so I've been looking at RX-5010s and similar models. I also won an RX-5110 a couple of weeks ago on ebay, it's a bit dirtier than yours and has a few scratches, but everything works and nothing is broken. The seller had well over a thousand sales and 100% rating, so I suppose it's not too shocking it showed up exactly as described. It was listed as RA-5110, which may explain me being the only bidder ($25!). I recently won an RX-5150 for only $70 in about the same shape, so deals can be had if you're patient.
 
toshik

toshik

Member (SA)
Mar 1, 2015
500
2
18
57
St. Augustine, FL
Funny that after 3 years and 14 replies the topicstarter's question was never answered: "My question is, what are the differences between this one (RX-5110) and the RX-5100 other than the 5100 lacking tweeters and a voltage selector?"

IMHO RX-5100 has tweeters combined with microphones in two rectangular pockets above the round speakers, but SM only mentions 12cm speakers...

However 5100 and 5110 do not share the same SM so there might be differences besides the front panel :-)

Usually back in the 1980s there was an international NP version with universal voltage plus added two SW bands, domestic AM/FM N Japan version was 100VAC with 76-90MHz FM, while US/Canada AM/FM version P was 120VAC with 88-108MHz FM.
Cases/grills colors also varied a bit.

The earliest model in this line was 1978 RQ-4050FD, then came RX-5090, then RX-5100 and RX-5110 - design, speakers, mechanism and functionality similarity is obvious.
 
toshik

toshik

Member (SA)
Mar 1, 2015
500
2
18
57
St. Augustine, FL
Hisrudeness said:
Because someone didn’t know the answer? Why is it funny?
Click to expand...
I don't know why Moderators tolerate this 100% off-topic flood, if you have NOTHING to say on the subject just pass by to the next topic! So if we may go back to the subject, there is an interesting situation with RX-5100 model.

Unlike the US/Canada version, both International and Japan versions of RX-5100 had tweeters, moreover Japan one had TPS and wide 76-108 MHz FM! As usual International had 2 additional SW bands and universal voltage transformer. Both international and Japan versions had similar design of front grilles and panels. That's all folks :-)
 
T

todd5280

Member (SA)
Oct 5, 2017
11
0
0
I just got a 5100 off of ebay for about 65 dollars shipped. Its fully functional and kicks ass over most of my other boxes. Pannys are generally better for the money in my experience. I grew up in the early to mid 80s and was a box NUT!! My first was a 5020 then I mowed enough lawns to get a 5280 which is one of the best I have EVER heard. I later grabbed a 5100 a couple of years later and it is very close the the quality of the 5280 but much less expensive. Everyone should have a 5100 in their collection and it should be the box you compare to others you want to buy. If you find something better from another maker then GET IT. Most I found where not back in the day under 300 dollars new. I have been trolling ebay for a 5110 for a good price. Havent found any but I might pick up a couple more 5100s if I can find them for cheap. Can't hurt and probably worth much in the future. That 5110 is a great catch dude. have fun with her!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom