JVC RC-550 (the Big Mono) Mania

[analogboi]

I don't know what the going price is for one of these monsters now days...

Did the buyer get a good deal (note: buyer was not me)??

Things I noticed:

1) Main handle missing. Probably means the 550 has been opened (potentially not good).

2) Cassette door trim missing. Sticker needs to be removed. :annoyed:

3) Boombox needs a thorough cleaning! But...it just appears to be dust.

4) Basic shape looks good... speaker grilles OK. Speaker trim OK. Aluminum trim OK. All knobs are there. Silkscreen OK. Battery door present and accounted for...

What do you guys think?? Was $380 too much?

Link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JVC-Boombox-Rad...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a8906387

 

[Fatdog]

Some fool just parted with his money.

 

[analogboi]

I was bidding when it was much lower. I looked around on the internet, and could find those parts (whether the sellers had actual stock is another thing entirely). It bothered me that it had probably been opened--and not in the name of restoration.

I seem to remember about $600 for a clean RC-550?!?

But, some Boomboxery members say the 550 sounds...

I wanted to hear it for myself.

 

[jaetee]

I was bidding when it was much lower. I looked around on the internet, and could find those parts (whether the sellers had actual stock is another thing entirely). It bothered me that it had probably been opened--and not in the name of restoration.

I seem to remember about $600 for a clean RC-550?!?

But, some Boomboxery members say the 550 sounds...

I wanted to hear it for myself.

I've seen them go for more than that, even. In box for over $1k

A friend of mine had one back in the early 80's and it was a pounder and I don't remember it as a bad-sounding unit. Great for outdoors walkin' around and such, but no stereo separation or spatial detail for near field listening.

That would bug me over time. I have no real desire for one, except for the fact that it is the absolute king of the mono boomers and it looks so mean! Okay, maybe I do want one after all... just to round out the collection.

 

[redbenjoe]

with ebay -- at any time --there will always be some exceptional sleeper good deals
and some cases where dummies rip themselves off
(like with this 550)

but --lately --ebay selling prices seem to back to about or almost 'normal'
imho

 

[MasterBlaster84]

The 550 attracts attention and $$$'s so is this out of line? Maybe not
Is this to high for sane people? Yes

The 550 is unique because it's mono, like jaetee said it lacks stereo so that hurts it as far as sound quality compared to other large boxes. Does it sound bad? Not to me but I don't think it sounds great either, keeping in mind it's a mono box and comparing to other mono boxes it does kick some mono butt.

 

[bill]

this radio is kind of one of the boomboxes that crosses over several different collectors markets.
the shortwave crowd loves them. i think they often do mods to them as well to improve reception and sometimes mod them to pick up air traffic control and airplanes.
i think these radios are really cool . i would never pay that for one tho.

 

[analogboi]

I'll be honest with you guys... If the handle was present, and I knew for sure I could have gotten a new cassette door, I would have paid $380.

Why?

1) I LOVE the styling on the 550 and have felt that way for YEARS, so it isn't a "crush."

2) Not having stereo doesn't bother me. I had the M70 out this weekend while cleaning up the landscaping. It was about 30 feet from where I was working. Stereo simply didn't matter, audio horsepower did (the M70 was on "2" and was loud and proud)!

3) Cleaned and shined, and with new belts for good measure, I could have resold it for at least $380 (unless the economy COMPLETELY tanks...)

BTW: the shortwave people think we are loons for spending so much on a mere boombox. It's not about full-range fidelity to them. They want an ultra-sensitive vacuum-tubed Halicrafters SW.

 

[redbenjoe]

to me --and even from 30 feet away --when we cant hear the separation -
stereo still seems to be alot brighter and live sounding --
mono is boring |-)

 

[analogboi]

Ira--I imagine "back in the day" people (kids likely) ditched their mono boxes in favor of stereo. A RC-550 was traded in for a M70 or later an M90. but certainly NOT for an M80...

Friends when visiting will completely ignore my mono boxes and go right for the "real" stereo ones. A mono GE "superadio" with cassette I worked hard to restore gets no love.

BUT...I still want to experience the biggest JVC mono.

 

[redbenjoe]

cant blame you at --
in fact , that 10 inch 550 was a critical ' must have' for me --
it looks so awesome --
like the motha of all mothas

i am just saying that the mono sound is no thrill at all

 

[monchito]

yes i have to say the same but the looks helps it the sound well to be honest i only got it to really pump some bass with a cassette i had now i have to say my box does not have the original speaker i replaced it with a nice greenish looking sony 10in speaker with cloth surrounds out of a bookshelf system and made sure it was exactly the correct size i did not want to rigg it ,, it fell in place like it lived there sound wise compared to the original wayyy better but still a mono box

 

[analogboi]

You know, I may have to make the trip all the way from Wisconsin to Florida for the next Sunshine Meet just to hear:

1) The monster mono RC-550

2) The mighty M90

...as well as some other lesser boomboxes.

I don't think the Chevy S-10 has it in her... :'-( :grim:

 

[Superduper]

I PREDICT that:
(A) the buyer does not know that the handle is missing (I didn't notice it)
(B) the buyer does not know that the cassette door trim is missing.

I sent a message to the seller early on to ask and advise that he disclose that the cassette door trim is missing. He replied "I don't know what you are talking about."

I see that there is a question about the door sticker which he states was not used to "fix" anything. Seller clearly was not interested in posting accurate information. I anticipate a very unhappy buyer.

As for parts availability -- a word of advice. IF you are pricing parts through partstore.com (and one other place which eludes me right now), they have a reputation of listing parts on their site -- taking your order, constantly emailing you backordered notices, then cancelling your order after like 2 months as NLA. I was told that they put the entire manufacturers parts catalog on the internet knowing full well that it's not updated or current. Then when they receive your order, they will then order direct from the manufacturer. So unless you are getting your quotes directly from the manufacturer, do not believe it. I have placed at least 20 orders through partstore.com over the years and got exactly 1 item shipped. And it wasn't even a repair part -- it was a GF-777 service manual. Nothing else, and I mean NOTHING else was ever shipped -- all cancelled after 2 months and every order a monumental waste of time.

 

[71spud]

You know, I may have to make the trip all the way from Wisconsin to Florida for the next Sunshine Meet just to hear:

1) The monster mono RC-550

2) The mighty M90

...as well as some other lesser boomboxes.

I don't think the Chevy S-10 has it in her... :'-( :grim:

Maybe we could get a Wisconsin meet this summer with Skippy and a few others. Then you can hear an M90 or three and hear what the RC-550 sounds like as well.... I think I have a beater 550 around here someplace....

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

I PREDICT that:
(A) the buyer does not know that the handle is missing (I didn't notice it)
(B) the buyer does not know that the cassette door trim is missing.

I sent a message to the seller early on to ask and advise that he disclose that the cassette door trim is missing. He replied "I don't know what you are talking about."

I see that there is a question about the door sticker which he states was not used to "fix" anything. Seller clearly was not interested in posting accurate information. I anticipate a very unhappy buyer.

As for parts availability -- a word of advice. IF you are pricing parts through partstore.com (and one other place which eludes me right now), they have a reputation of listing parts on their site -- taking your order, constantly emailing you backordered notices, then cancelling your order after like 2 months as NLA. I was told that they put the entire manufacturers parts catalog on the internet knowing full well that it's not updated or current. Then when they receive your order, they will then order direct from the manufacturer. So unless you are getting your quotes directly from the manufacturer, do not believe it. I have placed at least 20 orders through partstore.com over the years and got exactly 1 item shipped. And it wasn't even a repair part -- it was a GF-777 service manual. Nothing else, and I mean NOTHING else was ever shipped -- all cancelled after 2 months and every order a monumental waste of time.

fftopic:
I've experienced the same thing from partstore.com. Tried to get some belts for a box, they told me they were in stock, then not in stock, then could never get them and canceled my order....WTF? I hate that!