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Anyone recognize this Sears rig?

elpis4

elpis4

New Member
I recently picked up my first record player, and how it happened was I was looking in a Goodwill, and happened to see a record turntable/ duel cassette deck for 20$! After bringing it home and testing fully, I realized I had no idea about anything to do with it. I was pointed here by a friend, and I hope I can get some answers. I really just want to know some general info (when it came out, part of a bigger system etc.)

Pics of the machine:
http://imgur.com/a/CT8Dc
 
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My dad bought me a similar unit when I was in grade, that was 1982. Beware, the tonearm on the record player tracks at a way too heavy weight, it will shorten the lifespan of your records.
Otherwise, it's about 10 watts, sounded ok.
I ended up using different speakers (from an old Zenith Allegro console in the house) and bought a MM pre-preamp from Radio Shack to use with a Philips turntable I found for $6 at a garage sale. I plugged the phono pre into the aux jacks on the back.
The takeaway, I'd recommend dong the same. This way, you'll have the turntable and better speakers for your next move. And yes Goodwill and other thrifts are your friend.
 
We sold a ton of those back in the 80s. Sanyo built lower end all in one rack system. They came with the cabinet that attached from the bottom. They were inexpensive at the time but few ever came back with problems. Sanyo built a ton of stuff for Sears in the 70s and 80s and early 90s and most of it was pretty reliable. Some items like the 70s-80s Microwaves and TVs were just incredibly reliable. The VCRs not so much (Hitachi built Sears VCRs were the best).
 
The only issue with the Hitachi VCRs were the 5 belts. Got to where I could change them all in about 5 mins. Other than that, they were one of the best.
 
I've had a couple of Sears stereos. One is similar to yours, but has standard-style cassette decks, plus an 8-track player. The turntable part is jammed up, but it could probably be fixed. I also have a "ProFormance" shelf system which is more akin to a small boombox in form factor, albeit with the amplifier/tuner and cassette deck as separate stacked units. No turntable, and only one cassette deck, but quite feature-packed for what it is. Synthesized digital tuning, graphic equalizer, music search, and both aux. and magnetic phono inputs. I also have a ProFormance linear-tracking TT to go with it, but it isn't quite up to the quality level of the mini-system.
-Adam
 
Had one similar to that. My dad bought it for me in 1983. Mine also included an 8-track player. Except for replacing the stylus once and cleaning the tape heads I never had a problem. It had a ton of hours on it when I gave it away five years later.
 
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