I've loved the look of these ever since I first laid eyes on one, and after hearing from many here how good they sound... It's been at the top of my hit list.
But when they do come up on ebay (which is apparently very, very seldom) they usually go for substantially more than I'm willing to pay, and that's usually for a box with major electronic issues... or it's overseas.... or it has terrible cosmetics... etc... The stars just never seemed to align themselves just right...
Anway, about a month ago I'm browsing through he tapeheads.net site and I catch a glimpse of box in the upper corner of a pic that one of the members there posted. It was of a "display" shelf in a store. I got the name of the store and made some calls. Technically the box was not really for sale. It was used as decor. To make a long story short, they tested the unit and we agreed on a price and now it's MINE!!!! They did put in new belts so the tape deck does play. But, it also has some minor issues that will need to be worked out to make it truly 100% (listed after the pics).
So, without further ado, here's my new toy!
The only really noticeable blemishes that can't be cleaned up are these two dings here:
Biggest issues.... Power / Sleep switch is always down, so it's in permanent sleep mode.... and missing two switch covers!
I do love the sound. It is every bit as good as was promised to me by our resident ancient redbenjoe, Uncle Ed, and Jens (member Aiwa, or TPR on S2G). Each of them told me I would love this box and they were all right. If I had to lump in with some other units for best direct comparison, I'd put it right there in league with the Sanyo M9990 and Pioneer SK-71, which is a good thing.
Overall, this is a very warm sounding box, with more bass than you'd think, but crispy treble as well. It is definitely more hi-fi than blaster. And in case you were wondering about how it stacks up to the JVC M70, the acknowledged King of mid-size boxes... Yes, the M70 is much louder. But at a normal listening volume, I'll take the Aiwa.
Other items of note... It doesn't have dolby, but I don't really use that anyway. And it only has a two-position selector for normal or chrome tapes. However, you really only need that setting if you record onto a metal tape, which is not something I would do in ANY boombox. So, that feature is typically a non-issue for me as well. You can play a metal tape in it just fine (using chrome setting) and they sound great. I was listening to an MA-R and it sounded downright sublime!
Aux-in is interesting. It shares the same switch as the tuner. When the box detects something is plugged into the RCA line-in, it automatically mutes the tuner.
As mentioned above, here is the list of quibbles...
1) it's in permanent SLEEP mode and won't play radio unless tape is engaged. Switch will only stay in down position. and when I move it up it has zero effect. Switch seems broken, anyone have a parts unit and can spare the switch? Let's talk! My prime reason for wanting this fixed is more related to being able to use the Aux-In without having to play a tape. Radio or Phono are secondary.
2) FM stereo functions eratic. Won't lock into stereo unless I quickly flip the tuner band selector down to SW and immediately back to FM. Then I get a strong FM stereo sound and the FM Stereo light stays lit. But when I move the tuner dial to another station, the problem starts all over again and the FM stereo will not lock a the dial positions where I know there is a strong signal. It stays mono. I'm not sure if this is related to an actual defective part inside, or if this can be fixed with an adjustment? I am a 90% tape guy, so this is not that big of a deal for me, but would be nice to have perfect. If anyone has some suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
3) missing two switch tops / covers. Anyone got spares? I got tapes to trade
Or will buy...
4) VU's and sound from tape seems to be about 20db lower than actual signal on tape. Tape signal through amp is much quieter than radio. Ira said his acts much the same way. Can this be adjusted? Anyone else have one that can play a tape and check how much action you get from your VUs?
So, to me.... what this Aiwa might lack in overall brawn when playing tapes (compared to M70) it makes up for with sheer style and overall sound quality. I'm really glad I landed it. Oh, and when I do play the radio the VU's go into full swing and it does get pretty damn loud.
Despite these issues.... she's a defnite keeper and will be a permanent part of my collection!!!!!
But when they do come up on ebay (which is apparently very, very seldom) they usually go for substantially more than I'm willing to pay, and that's usually for a box with major electronic issues... or it's overseas.... or it has terrible cosmetics... etc... The stars just never seemed to align themselves just right...
Anway, about a month ago I'm browsing through he tapeheads.net site and I catch a glimpse of box in the upper corner of a pic that one of the members there posted. It was of a "display" shelf in a store. I got the name of the store and made some calls. Technically the box was not really for sale. It was used as decor. To make a long story short, they tested the unit and we agreed on a price and now it's MINE!!!! They did put in new belts so the tape deck does play. But, it also has some minor issues that will need to be worked out to make it truly 100% (listed after the pics).
So, without further ado, here's my new toy!
The only really noticeable blemishes that can't be cleaned up are these two dings here:
Biggest issues.... Power / Sleep switch is always down, so it's in permanent sleep mode.... and missing two switch covers!
I do love the sound. It is every bit as good as was promised to me by our resident ancient redbenjoe, Uncle Ed, and Jens (member Aiwa, or TPR on S2G). Each of them told me I would love this box and they were all right. If I had to lump in with some other units for best direct comparison, I'd put it right there in league with the Sanyo M9990 and Pioneer SK-71, which is a good thing.
Overall, this is a very warm sounding box, with more bass than you'd think, but crispy treble as well. It is definitely more hi-fi than blaster. And in case you were wondering about how it stacks up to the JVC M70, the acknowledged King of mid-size boxes... Yes, the M70 is much louder. But at a normal listening volume, I'll take the Aiwa.
Other items of note... It doesn't have dolby, but I don't really use that anyway. And it only has a two-position selector for normal or chrome tapes. However, you really only need that setting if you record onto a metal tape, which is not something I would do in ANY boombox. So, that feature is typically a non-issue for me as well. You can play a metal tape in it just fine (using chrome setting) and they sound great. I was listening to an MA-R and it sounded downright sublime!
Aux-in is interesting. It shares the same switch as the tuner. When the box detects something is plugged into the RCA line-in, it automatically mutes the tuner.
As mentioned above, here is the list of quibbles...
1) it's in permanent SLEEP mode and won't play radio unless tape is engaged. Switch will only stay in down position. and when I move it up it has zero effect. Switch seems broken, anyone have a parts unit and can spare the switch? Let's talk! My prime reason for wanting this fixed is more related to being able to use the Aux-In without having to play a tape. Radio or Phono are secondary.
2) FM stereo functions eratic. Won't lock into stereo unless I quickly flip the tuner band selector down to SW and immediately back to FM. Then I get a strong FM stereo sound and the FM Stereo light stays lit. But when I move the tuner dial to another station, the problem starts all over again and the FM stereo will not lock a the dial positions where I know there is a strong signal. It stays mono. I'm not sure if this is related to an actual defective part inside, or if this can be fixed with an adjustment? I am a 90% tape guy, so this is not that big of a deal for me, but would be nice to have perfect. If anyone has some suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
3) missing two switch tops / covers. Anyone got spares? I got tapes to trade
Or will buy...4) VU's and sound from tape seems to be about 20db lower than actual signal on tape. Tape signal through amp is much quieter than radio. Ira said his acts much the same way. Can this be adjusted? Anyone else have one that can play a tape and check how much action you get from your VUs?
So, to me.... what this Aiwa might lack in overall brawn when playing tapes (compared to M70) it makes up for with sheer style and overall sound quality. I'm really glad I landed it. Oh, and when I do play the radio the VU's go into full swing and it does get pretty damn loud.
Despite these issues.... she's a defnite keeper and will be a permanent part of my collection!!!!!
:annoyed: 
