Look what arrived for Christmas!

[Superduper]

S2G member Rom Selecta sent these to me back in September. The slow way, or should I say the real slow way. I had forgotten about these guys. Today, it shows up on my doorstep. In time for Christmas with 10 days to spare.

Here is the National RX-5600. Tunes to 108. I forgot what I paid for either of these but let's just say after Glucifers find, I think I got ripped off on this one! But it sure is in nice shape. Couldn't be happier. Finally a boombox that I don't need to do anything to except put it on the shelf.

Here is a weird one, made by Crown. An executives play toy. $115,000 yen back in the day. Metal tape, 9 track music search, etc. Also tunes to 108. I think this just might be the RAREST boombox in America. Anyone else have one? Anyone else seen one in real life? {crickets...} Hello!?! Anyone else seen one anyplace else??? I really like this guy. It's terrific quality. The cassette door is metal skinned. I give this 2 thumbs up!

I might have to put this one in the gun safe.

 

[ViennaSound]

Wow, that CROWN is the hammer!
Looking like James Bond.
Pretty one.
Also the NATIONAL!

 

[Superduper]

Wow, that CROWN is the hammer!
Looking like James Bond.
Pretty one.
Also the NATIONAL!

James Bond... that's a good one. I was also thinking Get Smart, Mission Impossible or Spy kids, Mr. Gadget type of thing...

 

[skippy1969]

I like both o f them Superduper!
That Crown has got to be the rarest box I've ever seen.........

 

[Fatdog]

When I first saw that briefcase, I thought it was going to be one of those "homemade" jobs. BAM! That briefbox is freakin' awesome! What an incredible score, Norm.

How does the briefbox sound?

 

[MasterBlaster84]

Damn SuperD both boxes are awesome but the briefcase Crown is stunningly cool, never knew anybody made a briefcase box.

 

[redbenjoe]

I like both o f them Superduper!
That Crown has got to be the rarest box I've ever seen.........

i remember when that crown was offered from japan on s2g --
several months ago --
its beautiful -
i wanted it -- but sort of recall he wanted a fortune for it-

but -- now glad that it was you that got it --

agree -- its the most rare box in this hemisphere

'how does it sound' ??????????????

 

[oldskool69]

Rare as teeth on an oak tree.

Fantabulous score!!!!

 

[Gluecifer]

Top scores Norm!!
Seeing your Panasonic makes me wish I'd had the extra bux to bid on that one I posted about.
She looks absoloutely gorgeous.

That crown is the best I've seen of those briefcase style units, especially being a one piece. Super-suave!



Rock On.

 

[monchito]

wow norm i really like that panny the crown looks cool too

 

[MONOLITHIC]

I always see those Crowns on Yahoo Japan, but never pay 'em any mind...

Those are some clean machines! Congratulations!

 

[Superduper]

The Crown actually sounds better than you would expect from something that looks like this. I would liken it to a small/mid size box (which is what this is) such as the Sanyo M9980. The unit is illuminated on both tuner dial and meters when operating and it has a 4-position cassette tape selector (normal, CRO2, FE, Metal), and it has music search (I think 9 tracks). It lacks separate bass/treble controls and instead has a single tone control so the tonal adjustment range isn't going to be as flexible as some other boxes but the sound is clear, decent highs and acceptable lows. If you are looking for kaboom type of lows, forget it -- it doesn't have it neither do I think it's supposed to. Rather, I believe this is for Japanese executives to take with them when traveling. It actually makes perfect sense. Imagine an aging Japanese business man, donning suit-tie attending a conference. He would look out of place carrying an M70 under his arms but this one will slip under the radar, look right at home when he checks into his Hotel room. I've never really brought a boombox with me when traveling specifically due to this reason. Also, boomboxes left in cars, etc become huge theft liability. Kids ignore briefcases. Paperwork doesn't interest them. This one is exceptionally clean, no rips or tears in the leather and seems 100% complete. Again, sound is very smooth and clean. Not for blasting but for easy listening, this is just the ticket. The tape has an issue right now with the left side highly attentuated but maybe a good cleaning of the switches and record bar might cure it. I think that the novelty and rarity of this guy alone makes it a definite SCORE for a collector.

As for the RX-5600 -- all I can say is that sound wise, it's easily amongst the better sounding boomboxes. The RX-5150 sounds good. The RX-5250 sounds even better. Well, this one sounds great! Not a ton of features but everything that I need. This one is exceptionally clean. Most of Panasonics RX series get pretty beat up. This guy has a few minor marks here/there but otherwise very very clean. I should have gotten one long ago but the few examples I've seen before were always beat up and I wasn't impressed enough with their cosmetics to bid high on them.

I'm thankful for Rich in Japan for making these available to me. He knew from the start when he got it that I wanted the Crown and saved it for me for months until September when he had to move. I knew it was then or never so I acted.

 

[Johnny]

Wow those boxes look super minty, great scores indeed!!!