Help me choose a box :)

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Mustey

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Aug 17, 2017
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Hi, this is for my beloved better half, a rare female audiophile :)
We are very much into 80's music and style and I would like to surprise her with a box as a gift.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about audio gear - I know descent sound when I hear it but that's all.
That's why I feel it's acceptable to ask of you to actually do the search for me (pleeese) because I suck and I will botch it.

Prefer ebay UK but any source is OK.

I am looking to buy a box that ticks the following boxes (kekeke):
1. Made 1980 to 1989
2. Under 200 GBP (300 USB)
3. Not wider than 2.5 feet
4. High quality sound and not too quiet
5. Item in visually good condition (or easy to bring to good condition by cleaning, light patchwork, etc...)
6. Item in good working condition or easy to fix up
7. Has collector's value

Any links, ideas, private messages welcome.

Thanks
 
T-STER

T-STER

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Hey Mustey, welcome to the site.

I think its good to flesh out what you want. Boomboxes of the 80's were designed to be loud, look great and sounding good is acheivable but sounding good to an audiophile, maybe not.

Do you want to go for maximum quality sound or do classic looks reign as the most important thing? For instance for high quality sound you could go for this:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Telefunken-HiFi-Studio-1M-Ghettoblaster-Boombox-/362066788341?hash=item544cdcbff5:g:tMUAAOSwH9dZjIPK

but its not got quite the same appeal looks wise as this:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Super-Jumbo-Tec-878RR-Ghettoblaster-Boombox-Radio-80er-80s-Vintage-/201869231166?hash=item2f0058043e:g:mCkAAOSwmgJY2U9w

or this:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Vintage-Sound-4008-Ghettoblaster-Boombox-Conion-CRC-H58-aka-Sharp-Lasonic-/182700750742?hash=item2a89d03796:g:dxcAAOSwTM5Y65Tr


Which appeals to you more? The Studio1M will sound phenomenal but is not a street box, the other on the other hand look bad ass and will be plenty loud but not quite as refined sound.

There are so many boxes to look at in your range if you are careful, look for a JVC M70 for loud, good bass and classic look, some of the mid range Panasonic for build quality, good sound. It's worth bearing in mind you will always pay slightly more for something working/restored. It might even be worth seeing if anybody here has a box for sale you like...
 
Radio raheem

Radio raheem

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agree with Nick, having just bought a replacement i can highly recommend the sanyo 920 too, she is so beutiful :-)
 
M

Mustey

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Aug 17, 2017
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It's so hard to find good condition ones. I don't even walk into ads under 70 pounds (100 ish bucks) because they are always missing a lid, switch cap...
Hate it that ebay's become a demi-fraud platform where sellers think they can lure you in with the one good photo and put in small letters "nothing works, you buy this you are screwed"...

Anyway, those Sanyo's look nice - anything nice for sale?

Also, what is your thought about these:
1. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toshiba-S90-Boombox-Ghettoblaster-/322611624351?hash=item4b1d26b99f:g:~y0AAOSwPxtZdjLb
Way above my budget but seems like a collectible piece in excellent condition...
2. I am just wondering what is the sound quality on those:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pioneer-GF-777-boombox-ghetto-blaster-/172820968250?hash=item283ceeb33a:g:1a4AAOSw~XpZW8jh


T-STER said:
Hey Mustey, welcome to the site.

I think its good to flesh out what you want. Boomboxes of the 80's were designed to be loud, look great and sounding good is acheivable but sounding good to an audiophile, maybe not.

Do you want to go for maximum quality sound or do classic looks reign as the most important thing? For instance for high quality sound you could go for this:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Telefunken-HiFi-Studio-1M-Ghettoblaster-Boombox-/362066788341?hash=item544cdcbff5:g:tMUAAOSwH9dZjIPK

but its not got quite the same appeal looks wise as this:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Super-Jumbo-Tec-878RR-Ghettoblaster-Boombox-Radio-80er-80s-Vintage-/201869231166?hash=item2f0058043e:g:mCkAAOSwmgJY2U9w

or this:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Vintage-Sound-4008-Ghettoblaster-Boombox-Conion-CRC-H58-aka-Sharp-Lasonic-/182700750742?hash=item2a89d03796:g:dxcAAOSwTM5Y65Tr


Which appeals to you more? The Studio1M will sound phenomenal but is not a street box, the other on the other hand look bad ass and will be plenty loud but not quite as refined sound.

There are so many boxes to look at in your range if you are careful, look for a JVC M70 for loud, good bass and classic look, some of the mid range Panasonic for build quality, good sound. It's worth bearing in mind you will always pay slightly more for something working/restored. It might even be worth seeing if anybody here has a box for sale you like...
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great post!

My girl is a flavor-snob, she has a class-a amp but also listens to 1'st print vynils on a tube amp, and we don't have a $$,$$$ tube amp, so I imagine a good cassette player must be a step-up, objectively :)
I think she'd like the authentic sound a consumer of the era would experience.

I'd love to buy from a member but I didn't see a "for sale" section in this forum?
 
ford93

ford93

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I think the Toshiba S-90 would be perfect for her but it is a rare bird. IMHO :-)

The JVC M-70 should be a right fit for her too.

Now if size does not bother her then Sharp's GF series or better yet the JVC M-90 but we are now talking about more $$$ to be spent.
 
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Mustey

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Aug 17, 2017
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Well, I found this Toshiba and seems to be in good shape. What do you think about the price, 750 GBP?

We don't have room for that GF 777, I was just asking in general how good are they.
 
Radio raheem

Radio raheem

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`Dont want to comment on the price of the toshiba but it from a great member here Stereomad and it is a wonderful box...wouldnt bother with the m70, i find them mickey mouse but the m90 can't be beat, it's a huge layout though, the sanyo 920 is wonderful to but it's hard finding one fully working and in good condition
 
M

Mustey

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I LOVE the look of the m90. Currently scouring the web for an available one.

UPDATE: saw prices (1500 USD for a beaten one that needs work), going back to the Toshiba :)
 
Radio raheem

Radio raheem

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That m90 you have seen is NOT worth the money it's been on epay for months...best thing to do is wait and find something you like for a good price, unless you must have it now lol
 
Northerner

Northerner

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Ignore Reno (rimmer36) the M70 is a great box, powerful and bassy. There's a reason they're so popular. Reno's just allergic to them :-)

The Tosh must be 240v otherwise Lee would've said in the listing. Boxes imported from Japan are 100v I think
 
M

Mustey

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do you know Lee? If so, I'd like to come and have a look in the box. Seriously interested.
I didn't get a reply on ebay yet.
 
Northerner

Northerner

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Mustey said:
do you know Lee? If so, I'd like to come and have a look in the box. Seriously interested.
I didn't get a reply on ebay yet.
Click to expand...
Yeh we know Lee. He's often really busy working so don't be surprised if you don't get an immediate reply. I've bought a couple of boxes off Lee in the past, including one when loads of us met up a few weeks ago. Saw this Tosh in the flesh too, its lovely
 
Hisrudeness

Hisrudeness

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Mustey said:
do you know Lee? If so, I'd like to come and have a look in the box. Seriously interested.
I didn't get a reply on ebay yet.
Click to expand...
The M70 is a one of the cream of the crop midish size boxes with a powerful btl amp.
The S90 Lee has for sale wasn't at the UK meet (Doc's and one of mine were there) but it is a beautiful box and it will be 100v only. The S90 is one of the best 1 piece boxes ever made albeit complex.
 
Reli

Reli

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If it's a first box for a non-collector, I would choose a box with LED meters, like a Lasonic. They provide some visual involvement to go with the sound. Plus I think the average girl/woman would like LED meters better than needle meters.
 
MyOhMy

MyOhMy

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Reli said:
If it's a first box for a non-collector, I would choose a box with LED meters, like a Lasonic. They provide some visual involvement to go with the sound. Plus I think the average girl/woman would like LED meters better than needle meters.
Click to expand...
As long as the lights are a pretty shade of pink, eh? :yes: :-D


Only joking, don't take it to heart! :-D :lol:
 
Reli

Reli

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Ha ha, I just think needle meters would appeal to tech nerds & mechanics, while LED meters would appeal to party animals and fashionistas.
 
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