The other day I was browsing to learn about famous M90. It has all that I expect when it matters design, but after reading so many topics about problems which are typical for cheapest radio-cassette players, than I start wondering, was it really made solid at all. I've seen one on eBay being sold for $ 1600. For that kind of money, even as an rare collector's item, one would expect reliability, durability, and absence of problems typical for cheap no-name units. I mean, what good is CPU controlled deck, if materials used for it, parts of mechanism, circuit boards, wiring and elements aren't leveled up with fancy digital electronics?
Isn't it better than to buy full metal vintage 8.5 inch wide mirco HI-FI, pay not more than 50-100$ for one in mint and operational condition, remove front masks of each element, and put them all together at custom-designed big aluminum front mask, with printed or even laser engraved markings and signs. Add to that real 3-way wooden speakers, hidden behind same alu. panel, and close it all in a box. It requires some diy, but at least, that would justify the price, which BTW wouldn't even come close to monstrous $ 1600 for M90 and similar prices of similar top class bboxes.
Metaphorically speaking, when you see M90 and many others, you get impression that you're looking at Rolls Royce of boomboxes, but once you start to drive it and look under the hood, you see the same engine like one in Yugo, suspension from Lada , steering from Wartburg etc.
I hope you don't mind this out loud thinking, but the more I read about shameful malfunctions of top class boomboxes, the closer I get to previously mentioned DIY idea of turning an micro HI-FI multi component system, into one-piece boombox.
Don't get me wrong, it's not about the money, even if they were being sold for $ 16 in mint condition, I'd get very upset if it stopped working, burn something on circuit board etc. I want them to last while being used and maintained properly, not to just look at them on the shelf, afraid that turning it on might be the last time because someone in the factory has built in plastic element instead of one made of metal.
I'd like to have fancy 80s bbox designed like M90, but with Telefunken HIFI studio 1M quality and craftsmanship.
Old HI-FI components aren't dying, they are Rolls Royces of audio, while unfortunately, boomboxes are just nice looking shells, but with no pearls inside. :'-(
Isn't it better than to buy full metal vintage 8.5 inch wide mirco HI-FI, pay not more than 50-100$ for one in mint and operational condition, remove front masks of each element, and put them all together at custom-designed big aluminum front mask, with printed or even laser engraved markings and signs. Add to that real 3-way wooden speakers, hidden behind same alu. panel, and close it all in a box. It requires some diy, but at least, that would justify the price, which BTW wouldn't even come close to monstrous $ 1600 for M90 and similar prices of similar top class bboxes.
Metaphorically speaking, when you see M90 and many others, you get impression that you're looking at Rolls Royce of boomboxes, but once you start to drive it and look under the hood, you see the same engine like one in Yugo, suspension from Lada , steering from Wartburg etc.
I hope you don't mind this out loud thinking, but the more I read about shameful malfunctions of top class boomboxes, the closer I get to previously mentioned DIY idea of turning an micro HI-FI multi component system, into one-piece boombox.
Don't get me wrong, it's not about the money, even if they were being sold for $ 16 in mint condition, I'd get very upset if it stopped working, burn something on circuit board etc. I want them to last while being used and maintained properly, not to just look at them on the shelf, afraid that turning it on might be the last time because someone in the factory has built in plastic element instead of one made of metal.
I'd like to have fancy 80s bbox designed like M90, but with Telefunken HIFI studio 1M quality and craftsmanship.
Old HI-FI components aren't dying, they are Rolls Royces of audio, while unfortunately, boomboxes are just nice looking shells, but with no pearls inside. :'-(