New Member/ Panasonic RX-C100

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ZacMac

ZacMac

Member (SA)
New to this forum but not to vintage radios and electronics, Recently decided I wanted a large 80's Boombox for deck parties and the beach in the summer. Luckily as soon as I looked on Kijji I found this beautiful Panasonic RX-C100, I bought it for about $75 US. It's in gorgeous condition, No rusted screws or dust inside the tape player either! It spent its entire life in a living room! Everything is intact! However it did need some work, The tape player would only play through one speaker, after a bit of trial and error I discovered the record button was causing the issue, I put a blank tape in and worked the mechanism and then it was fine, Sprayed contact cleaner on where the slider beneath the tape head was and its been fine since. Also discovered the speaker foam was rotten, I took it in for refoaming as I didn't want to attempt it on this box for the first time. However speakers need to be replaced which I am having done for $100 US sound reasonable? Included some pictures! Won't have it back for 10 days though while its in the shop :(
 

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Hisrudeness

Hisrudeness

Member (SA)
Welcome.
The only 3 piece box I ever liked. Great find and awesome sound.

Good luck with the the reforming. I think it will be worth it as the rest of the box looks in good condition.
 
Lasonic TRC-920

Lasonic TRC-920

Moderator
Welcome to the forum, fill out your profile with your location so we know where your at.

Top performing 3 piece for sure. Many members covet that box!

Summer Blasting on the Beach :w00t: That's what it's all about! :surf: :stereo:
:fly-kite:
 
duckman

duckman

Member (SA)
Great box and welcome aboard!

Got to ask tho, are you replacing the woofers because the shop says they are toast, or because they feel it is the cheaper way to go?

Re-foaming is the best option for keeping it original and value. Just saying.

Either way, keep the originals as maybe someone here can make use of the cones, dustcaps, etc.
 
blu_fuz

blu_fuz

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Always re-foam vintage speakers because the entire system has been designed to work together. A simple woofer change could really ruin the sound. It could also make it better, but the chance is all yours.
 
duckman

duckman

Member (SA)
A simple way to test, is to have the woofers face up and play at low volumes, if no noise or distortion, you should be OK. Or press evenly, and gently, on cone to see if you can find a 'happy' spot where there is no rubbing. It is when they are facing forward that the cones and voice coils sag that cause rubbing.
 
ZacMac

ZacMac

Member (SA)
Yes, thanks for all the reply's guys, I initially set out to have the woofers re-foamed, However when the shop was taking them apart apparently one woofer, was not moving up and down on its own and the voice coil was damaged somehow, Prior to this they sounded alright and I didn't notice the rotten foam till I saw it on the edges after shining a flash light into it, Its possible I damaged the voice coil while cranking it up, I'm not sure. Anyway, the shop said it made sense to replace both speakers. I know it won't be truly original but perhaps the new speakers will have better bass and be more efficient then the old ones? I never really got to hear it on its original speakers as Panasonic intended as the woofer surrounds were damaged at purchase, Maybe I'm better off not knowing The shop I had taken it to is called Hamblens Audio-Video, they have been in business for 30 years and fix anything from antiques to brand new electronics. I will request the old speakers back as well! This thing is going to also been a cottage party stereo, It already impressed me with its sound and filled my large apartment at level 3 on the volume even with the old speakers! I noticed the heavily damaged RX-C100 on ebay earlier and saw it in this forum, I also saw one redone with Aiwa 40 watt speakers and while not original, seems very nice as well! It seems people have varying opinions on speakers being replaced. I will take more pictures of it when I get it back so you guys can see how beautiful this one was kept, No evidence of ever being in a damp garage or basement, inside the tape player looks new and the head is flawless! I'm guessing the belts were replaced at some point as it is working well.
 
ZacMac

ZacMac

Member (SA)
yeah, I see that and I'm sure someone could make it nice again, Although perhaps its better off at a parts box, I'll have to think it over :)
 
blu_fuz

blu_fuz

Well-Known Member
Staff member
I wasn't trying to sell it to you, just noting that the one you saw on ebay was mine. It probably will end up as a parts box in the end.

Either way, good lick with yours. I'm curious to see what speakers they use.
 
retrohead

retrohead

Member (SA)
great looking 3 piece panasonic.something about panasonic,always made their stuff superior.granted,they werent the cheapest machines when new but that was for a good reason :yes: great find,hope all goes well when it comes back from repair ;-) oh and welcome :clap:
 
ZacMac

ZacMac

Member (SA)
I've always loved Panasonic as a brand even now their stuff is still pretty good I have a 1981 Panasonic transistor radio which also is in beautiful condition and works great! I'm excited and a little worried to see how it sounds with new speakers I think they are RMS 80 watt speakers I think it will be okay and I could insulate the speaker boxes if the bass makes them rattle. I wanted a refoam but one of them was broken I think I blew it :( it's a beautiful box though I'm very in love!
 
ZacMac

ZacMac

Member (SA)
Thanks :) I'm loving this boombox! Hope they use high sensitivity speakers in it, I don't know what the sensitivity of the originals were, Sorta wish I had done it myself, Refoaming was one of those things I'd OCD about but replacing them would be fun so many brands and types to choose from!
 
ZacMac

ZacMac

Member (SA)
Got my boombox back, Can't figure out how to add more pictures to this thread? help? Anyway it sounds wonderful! Lots of bass, no rattling or anything, and I think the speakers have a higher sensitivity then the old ones too!
 
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