Scuzzer
Fixed Bias
I've already got my Tripath amp donor chassis. It's a Pioneer SA-6500 and one of these days I'll have the cash to put it together.
edit: In my mind classic Cricket means it was just too cheap to leave behind.
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readers digest integrated and tuner
- Thread starter Jcricket
- Start date
I've already got my Tripath amp donor chassis. It's a Pioneer SA-6500 and one of these days I'll have the cash to put it together.
edit: In my mind classic Cricket means it was just too cheap to leave behind.
mhardy6647
Lunatic Member
That's some funny stuff right there, that is...
Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
Peanut Head
sleepyweasel
Well-Known Member
Looks kinda like the "fisher by sears" reciever I have, the knobs look the same.
opossumcrush
The Central Scrutinizer
Now, you need to find some Readers Digest speakers to go with them.
Bone Yard
Super Member
More from the Digest
I just dug out my set that was rescued from the scrap yard last year. It's been running for a couple hours down in the basement and sounds really good. It's hard to make out the rosewood case in the photos but it really compliments the silver face. Someone wasn't too happy with the logo and it's been scratched off both front and back. Overall they seem to be a little better than average equipment with some heft to them.
I just dug out my set that was rescued from the scrap yard last year. It's been running for a couple hours down in the basement and sounds really good. It's hard to make out the rosewood case in the photos but it really compliments the silver face. Someone wasn't too happy with the logo and it's been scratched off both front and back. Overall they seem to be a little better than average equipment with some heft to them.
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copterske2
Active Member
That is the coolest! Also somewhat reminiscent of the Realistic SA-1000A...
Readers Digest Stereo
I purchased this set when I was in high school in 1976 so I can give a little history. The whole set was sold by RD and included a BSR turntable and speakers. It all sold for under $600 if I remember correctly. They set it up so you could pay monthly. It sounded great to me at the time and all in all, I would say it was pretty good stuff. I tried to find out who actually made this but dont really know. They were made in Japan and I would guess Kenwood. Today, all I have left is the tuner which still works great. The amp died under warranty and I replaced it with a Pioneer integrated amp (SA-6500II) that I still have in storage today. I remember RD sent out an advertisement in the mail (wish I had that today). This is really nostalgic as this stuff got me into audio.
I purchased this set when I was in high school in 1976 so I can give a little history. The whole set was sold by RD and included a BSR turntable and speakers. It all sold for under $600 if I remember correctly. They set it up so you could pay monthly. It sounded great to me at the time and all in all, I would say it was pretty good stuff. I tried to find out who actually made this but dont really know. They were made in Japan and I would guess Kenwood. Today, all I have left is the tuner which still works great. The amp died under warranty and I replaced it with a Pioneer integrated amp (SA-6500II) that I still have in storage today. I remember RD sent out an advertisement in the mail (wish I had that today). This is really nostalgic as this stuff got me into audio.
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dshoaf
That high voltage buzz
Nice thread to resurrect. IIRC, Readers Digest, among others, offered gear somewhat as an add-on to their regular products. Certainly, customers who were comfortable with RD's financing and mail-order purchase processes would have been quite compelled to continue that relationship.
Back when these items were being marketed, there was a start-up wave going on in Japan of contract, build-to-spec, manufacturers - we would call it outsourcing today. Many of these were actually subassembly suppliers to all the big names we recognize.
They would advertise their abilities to deliver sample receivers and amps in the back of many of the trade magazines servicing the fast-growing consumer electronics industry. You'd see small ads for "Send us your performance specs, front-panel layout and we'll get you samples in less than a month; full container loads of product in less than 2 months from approval!"
Of course, this arrangement meant that the 'owning' brand in the US would have to take delivery of the product, write an owners manual, stock spare parts, create boxes, build a distribution network, and all of the other costs of bringing a product to market.
Readers Digest already had many of these requirements in place with their other products so that cost of entry into the consumer electronics market was lower than most.
Today, we see similar tactics being played out by folks like Best Buy where their Insignia brand is pretty much just that - a name with contract suppliers delivering product to BB's specs, price point and profit margin projections.
Cheers,
David
Back when these items were being marketed, there was a start-up wave going on in Japan of contract, build-to-spec, manufacturers - we would call it outsourcing today. Many of these were actually subassembly suppliers to all the big names we recognize.
They would advertise their abilities to deliver sample receivers and amps in the back of many of the trade magazines servicing the fast-growing consumer electronics industry. You'd see small ads for "Send us your performance specs, front-panel layout and we'll get you samples in less than a month; full container loads of product in less than 2 months from approval!"
Of course, this arrangement meant that the 'owning' brand in the US would have to take delivery of the product, write an owners manual, stock spare parts, create boxes, build a distribution network, and all of the other costs of bringing a product to market.
Readers Digest already had many of these requirements in place with their other products so that cost of entry into the consumer electronics market was lower than most.
Today, we see similar tactics being played out by folks like Best Buy where their Insignia brand is pretty much just that - a name with contract suppliers delivering product to BB's specs, price point and profit margin projections.
Cheers,
David
drknstrmyknight
Addicted Member
I have some of their vinyl including a Dave Brubeck boxed set that is remarkably well mastered and pressed!
Funny, I saw this RD amp on the 'bay awhile back and did some digging out of curiosity. My research indicated that this may have been made by Sansui actually. I bid on it, but it got to be more than I wanted to pay. Looks like it would make a nice office/bedroom amp.
Pretty cool! They made black faced one's also. When I saw the image it struck me as Sansui looking. The silver reminds me of the Radio Shack type. I imagine it sounds pretty good, Readers Digest was a trusted periodical for many families when I grew up as a kid. My grandmother got them and I devoured the stories every month. Great stories and great lessons of life
2011etec
Super Member
playboy speakers.you got them in pairs and they were usually big!!
macgolf
Ruby Tuesday
My Reader's Digest audio system
Here are some pics of my 2000XR system. To quote the RD sales brochure that came with the units "The quality high-fidelity system you always promised yourself". It also came with owners manuals for the integrated and tuner. 18 w/channel. No info on who made it but the sales literature is dated 1977. The sound is similar to my Sony STR-6036A although so far I prefer the Sony. The amp weighs 11.6# not earth shattering but sufficient for a bedroom set with efficient speakers. Only issue was replacing tuning guage bulb. I wish I could take credit for how clean the unit is inside but it arrived in this condition.
Here are some pics of my 2000XR system. To quote the RD sales brochure that came with the units "The quality high-fidelity system you always promised yourself". It also came with owners manuals for the integrated and tuner. 18 w/channel. No info on who made it but the sales literature is dated 1977. The sound is similar to my Sony STR-6036A although so far I prefer the Sony. The amp weighs 11.6# not earth shattering but sufficient for a bedroom set with efficient speakers. Only issue was replacing tuning guage bulb. I wish I could take credit for how clean the unit is inside but it arrived in this condition.
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