Lasonic 975...question and comments

[blacksnake]

I have recently acquired one of my dream boxes: the Lasonic TRC-975. Condition wise I would put it at an 8 or 9 out of 10. I also own a TRC-935 which I picked up a few months before, and I've noticed a couple of weird/interesting things when comparing the two.

1. The plastic is glossier/higher quality on my 935 than the 975. I actually used some auto detailing products to bring out more shine in my 975.

2. I know member Lasonic TRC-920 mentioned this in another thread: my 975 seems to distort easily if I don't have the EQ and LBS set properly. I can crank my 935 easily, but with the 975 I have to fiddle with the low end of the EQ and/or turn off the LBS.

3. My MP3 player hooked to the line in on my 935 sounds better/louder than on my 975. I know they changed the input designation to CD rather than Phono, I wonder if they changed the signal sensitivity as well.



I know Lasonic TRC-920 did a great comparison of the two boxes, and Hemiguy2006 just picked up a 975, so I'm interested in what they and everyone else who's familiar with these boxes has to say.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

First of all, GREAT LOOKING 975, CONGRATULATIONS

And.....I guess it was going to come out sooner or later....Sooner or later another member would end up with both of these at the same time and notice what I noticed, that the 935 sounds more powerful then the 975.

Hemiguy and I BS'd about this subject a little.

IMHO, I think the 935 is a better sounding box. I think the LBS system on the 975 doesn't live up to the HYPE at all. I know that it's probably offensive to all the 975 fans out there, but I'm just going to say it....

THE 935 IS A BETTER RADIO!

It packs more features: Tape Counter, Digital Clock, Lit LED Equalizer & Line Out.

I wasn't sure if MY 975 was an under achiever because I noticed the difference right off the bat and like you, I got the 935 first.

I love the looks of the 975, it's a SWEET looking box, but IMHO, the 935 out performs the 975.

I would really like to hear more from other members. Those who have both and those who have either one.

Thank you Black Snake for confirming what I already knew

 

[blacksnake]

First of all, GREAT LOOKING 975, CONGRATULATIONS

And.....I guess it was going to come out sooner or later....Sooner or later another member would end up with both of these at the same time and notice what I noticed, that the 935 sounds more powerful then the 975.

Hemiguy and I BS'd about this subject a little.

IMHO, I think the 935 is a better sounding box. I think the LBS system on the 975 doesn't live up to the HYPE at all. I know that it's probably offensive to all the 975 fans out there, but I'm just going to say it....

THE 935 IS A BETTER RADIO!

It packs more features: Tape Counter, Digital Clock, Lit LED Equalizer & Line Out.

I wasn't sure if MY 975 was an under achiever because I noticed the difference right off the bat and like you, I got the 935 first.

I love the looks of the 975, it's a SWEET looking box, but IMHO, the 935 out performs the 975.

I would really like to hear more from other members. Those who have both and those who have either one.

Thank you Black Snake for confirming what I already knew

Cool

I also thought something was wrong with my 975 at first. I'm still really happy with the box, but yeah, the 935 outperforms it.

 

[baddboybill]

congrats on the beautiful 975 Love mine , had it since new in 1993 But I have to interject because I know that at one time many people would say the TRC931 outperformed the TRC975 Well I own both of those since new andIi still to this day love the sound of my 975 better...The bass is simply superb As for the 935 I came real close to having one , but I dont, so I really cant say anything between the 2 but I think it has to also do with how each bbx is maintained over the years plus as Superduper (Norm) has stated, If all the caps are replaced then the sound quality will go up Caps life span is like 10 years

 

[Superduper]

20 to 30 years is not uncommon for capacitor life. It really depends upon the environment that it was operated and stored. Some system designs, the caps last longer. Some not as long. Modern caps are smaller and hopefully, more durable... especially if you choose the higher temp rated varieties. Standards are 85degrees. Upgraded temp varieties are rated at 105 degrees. One manufacturer lists typical service life of approximately 4000-8000 hours compared to warranted life of 2000-5000 hours for Hitachi type capacitors:
http://www.32163.com/maindoc/techtr...chi/documents/datasheets/screw/infodenkai.pdf

Factors that affect capacitor life ---

• 
  environmental and operational temperatures
  humidity
  operating cycles
  electrical shock (surges, etc.)
  ripple current
  inrush current
  frequency of charge and discharge
  signal frequency
  exposure to reverse bias (on polarized caps)
  applied voltage, especially as compared as a ratio to it's rated capacity

 

[baddboybill]

20 to 30 years is not uncommon for capacitor life. It really depends upon the environment that it was operated and stored. Some system designs, the caps last longer. Some not as long. Modern caps are smaller and hopefully, more durable... especially if you choose the higher temp rated varieties. Standards are 85degrees. Upgraded temp varieties are rated at 105 degrees. One manufacturer lists typical service life of approximately 4000-8000 hours compared to warranted life of 2000-5000 hours for Hitachi type capacitors:
http://www.32163.com/maindoc/techtr...chi/documents/datasheets/screw/infodenkai.pdf

Factors that affect capacitor life ---

• 
  environmental and operational temperatures
  humidity
  operating cycles
  electrical shock (surges, etc.)
  ripple current
  inrush current
  frequency of charge and discharge
  signal frequency
  exposure to reverse bias (on polarized caps)
  applied voltage, especially as compared as a ratio to it's rated capacity

Could not have said it better Well ok ... :superduper: does it again

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

It seems the only real way to know is to replace the caps in both boxes and test'em

 

[blacksnake]

I will be doing some further investigation. I know, for instance, that when I connect my CD player to the line in as opposed to the MP3, the sound in significantly improved. However, I cannot just blame the MP3 player, because it sounds excellent in the 935's line in, not to mention other equipment. I can't get many good radio stations where I live, so I may try to dig up some decent cassettes. (For further testing)

Don't get me wrong, the 975 sounds great at lower volumes with the LBS. But when you crank it, it becomes very "bass sensitive". Cutting the LBS and raising the low end of the EQ helps the situation, but turning off the LBS really takes alot of the grunt out of this machine. It's like a balancing act to get it to sound clean AND loud.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Don't get me wrong, the 975 sounds great at lower volumes with the LBS. But when you crank it, it becomes very "bass sensitive". Cutting the LBS and raising the low end of the EQ helps the situation, but turning off the LBS really takes alot of the grunt out of this machine. It's like a balancing act to get it to sound clean AND loud.

 

[baddboybill]

Don't get me wrong, the 975 sounds great at lower volumes with the LBS. But when you crank it, it becomes very "bass sensitive". Cutting the LBS and raising the low end of the EQ helps the situation, but turning off the LBS really takes alot of the grunt out of this machine. It's like a balancing act to get it to sound clean AND loud.

too, but as with any loudness switch on nearly all portables I have seen and even some home systems the loudness button is to raise bass at low volume levels and it even states this in the lasonic manual.

 

[saxonman]

Love the box haven' got any of these type of box's so any would do regardless of sound!!!! it's deffo the look innit

 

[hemiguy2006]

Don't get me wrong, the 975 sounds great at lower volumes with the LBS. But when you crank it, it becomes very "bass sensitive". Cutting the LBS and raising the low end of the EQ helps the situation, but turning off the LBS really takes alot of the grunt out of this machine. It's like a balancing act to get it to sound clean AND loud.

I will triple agree with that too!!!!

With LBS engaged at half volume or more the sound just falls apart.
Almost as if the speakers were being underpowered.
If I had to guess I bet the 935 has better amp chips than the 975.

What you guys are describing is like the Conion C-126 in comparison to the Conion C-100.
Same size box, Same manufacturer, half the performance.
I love my 975 but it certainly is not as powerful as you would expect
from a box of its size.