Help me get started please!

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Dumont69

Member (SA)
OK, so I'm a child of the 80's, 47 now. I've gone through a lot of equipment between then and now. I've done the whole crappy bluetooth speaker thing umpteen times. Amazing how low standards get as time goes on.

So anyway, I have a nice big stereo for the living room but sometimes I need portable. The other day while lamenting the lack of decent portable sound I thought, why don't I just get a big old blaster and wire in a Chromecast Music to it? Sounds like a plan to me.

Now, I haven't had a ghetto blaster since I was in middle school, it was a CFS-450, I worked and saved for quite a while for it and it was my pride and joy. I recall thinking it sounded fantastic. So now here I am in the deep and and I have no idea what to look for, but I do know what I want:

- big full sound (not a bass head though)
- this needs to be able to put out enough volume for the backyard to really crank
- I'd like VU meters but that's not a must ;-)

I really want a quality unit. I must admit I am partial to Sony or Panasonic, but I know so little that I'm pretty open. I have been eyeing a CFS-77 but the price is too high I think and I know nothing about it's quality or desirability. The 8" woofers grabbed my attention.


Thanks!
 
blu_fuz

blu_fuz

Well-Known Member
Staff member
You pretty mich are asking to help find a JVC M70 or if you have deep pockets a M90!
 
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jimmyjimmy19702010

Member (SA)
Welcome to the site Dumont69. It sounds like performance is important to you - hence your frustration with modern BT speakers. You have to keep in mind that there are many classic boomers out there that sound no better. Particularly when you consider most are at least 30 years old - most require extensive maintenance to get operating right if you buy an eBay box.

I would recommend that you avoid the low end models and get into the good gear - unfortunately, the choice models also pull big $$$s on the bay.

Joe's recommendation of the JVC M70 is a good one. The M90 is even better but you'll need big $$$s to get one of those.
 
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Dumont69

Member (SA)
OK looks like the M70 goes pretty high for a good unit. I think my top dollar is going to be $250-300 so maybe I'm just dreaming?

I'm taking it that the Sony's aren't that desirable?

JustCruisin, I didn't even know there was a Dumont Iowa! No, I'm in CR.
 
blu_fuz

blu_fuz

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Sony's really couldn't compete with the sound and quality of JVC and Panasonic in the day. Once you become the under dog in the blaster biz, you get looked over quickly. Sony's sound good but there are loads of other brands you might like!
 
Transistorized

Transistorized

Member (SA)
Dumont69 said:
OK looks like the M70 goes pretty high for a good unit. I think my top dollar is going to be $250-300 so maybe I'm just dreaming?

I'm taking it that the Sony's aren't that desirable?

JustCruisin, I didn't even know there was a Dumont Iowa! No, I'm in CR.
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I know there seems to be a lot of folks on ePay asking waaay more than your allotted amount for a M70 but I feel it would be very possible to get a M70 for your price. 250-300 is where that box should be anyway and I have seen them on eBay for $250 (which IMO is a reasonable asking price fully working). I laugh when I see $600.00 and so on. Those stay on eBay forever and just drop off.

I agree with the above about the M70. I believe you should be able to land one within your price range.
 
T-STER

T-STER

Member (SA)
Yeah the JVC M70 is a firm favorite but they do have the slider issues and aren't as easy to work on as some.

The Crown CSC850 is worth looking out for, comfortably within budget, easy to work on if it needs it and super loud. Not quite as refined sound as the JVC but very pleasing to listen to low and a good loud box.
 
sirkevinvonbboyin

sirkevinvonbboyin

New Member
One good thing about the M70 is that even though they have issues there is a ton of info on them here. I have 3 and only one that I bought actually worked when I found it. The other 2 needed to be de-ox'd, belted, and one had a broken slider that I had to fix the conductive trace.

Even though I don't post much, I found most the info on how to fix them here! If you're looking for a decent box under $300 I think the M70 is a solid choice.
 
Ken

Ken

Member (SA)
sirkevinvonbboyin said:
One good thing about the M70 is that even though they have issues there is a ton of info on them here. I have 3 and only one that I bought actually worked when I found it. The other 2 needed to be de-ox'd, belted, and one had a broken slider that I had to fix the conductive trace.

Even though I don't post much, I found most the info on how to fix them here! If you're looking for a decent box under $300 I think the M70 is a solid choice.
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Can't argue with that reasoning. :thumbsup: ​All this M70 talk makes me want to take mine out this weekend.
 
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jimmyjimmy19702010

Member (SA)
I always try to be different so my vote would be a 1979 Hitachi TRK-9150. They go cheap, go loud and go bassy!! :-)

They also have a great deck and line in function. Throw in twin backlit VY meters and a powerful amp and it makes for a great choice if bass and sheer loudness is your thing.

They go for less than $40 in most parts.

Or go for a Panasonic RX-DT680 is you want even better sound quality but without the vintage look or build quality.
 
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Dumont69

Member (SA)
OK so now the Hitachi (after looking it up, wow) and the JVC are on my short list. Is there anywhere other thane eBay though, the pickings are mighty slim.


The Panasonic RX-DT680 looks a bit on the small side...?
 
Terry

Terry

Member (SA)
jimmyjimmy19702010 said:
5 1/4 inch drivers that thump really hard with the tuned bass reflex cabinets - believe me, there aren't many vintage boomers that will keep up with the quad amped 680.
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1.25L Coke bottle for size reference.
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And they are the most reasonably priced of the lot. Do the RCA mod on it when you get it.
 
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neanderthal

Member (SA)
Dumont69 said:
RCA mod?
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Check this link.

I'd like to say welcome. i'm 43 and my tastes run towards the ones from the late 80s to early/ mid 90s.

I have a Sharp WF-T 380E similar to the one I had in my teens, a Hitachi 3D80, and (fingers crossed) hopefully a Sharp QT-73 CD coming from Japan.

I'd like an M90 because I like it's looks, but i'm not as gaga over them as the collectors here seem to be. And i definitely won't pay collectors prices for one either.
All I look for is a nice thumpiful box with nice looks (subjective) equalisers, and a line in. My music isn't on cassettes any more
 
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Dumont69

Member (SA)
Thanks much for the link!

Wow, I like the looks of that Hitachi! So many choices!

Just wish there was a good place to find them. Surprised there is no FS forum here.
 
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