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At long last, after 20yrs of faithful service, my Magnavox Integrated Compact Stereo System has giving up the ghost. My Magnavox was top of the line back in the mid-80s, with 33/45rpm turntable (yes, it played VINYL), AM/FM stereo radio, and a dual cassette deck with speed record and continuous play. (And anyone who comments that it was older than they are gets hit. Hard.)

So, that leaves me with the unfortunate business of finding a new stereo. Unfortunately because I have looked over the options at the local CircuitCity and not found anything 'integrated' or 'compact' like my dearly departed Magnavox had been. I know better than to expect a turntable, but it would be nice to find a dual cassette with continuous play as well as a AM/FM radio. Nitram would like to have one with a RW-CD, mentioning that the cassettes need to be modernized. Since I paid for every one of those cassettes at the time, then it's not stealing if I make more permanent copies of MY Songs. Besides, some of them NEVER made it to CDs, like a few of my Filk collections.

But I would like to have some advice from board members who know a bit more about stereo equipment available before I go pay far too much for things I don't really need.

My first real stereo was a Magnavox compact system that had an 8-track recorder to go along with the turntable, so I guess I'm older than you.
I still have a Yamaha KX-1200U single cassette deck in my system.
Of course the only use it sees anymore is when I make CD's of tapes for friends



On to the subject though, I'm not even sure you can get a decent (read: not a Coby or other drugstore discount brand) compact system with a cassette deck anymore, much less one with a CD recorder.
If you can't find one, I'd buy a decent CD unit and then haunt the pawnshops for a used cassette deck to hook up to your PC and make audio CD's of your tapes.
If you don't already have a surround sound system, you might consider buying one of those 'all in one' surround sound setups like this JVC that could also serve as a music system.

It really depends on what kind of priorities you have, ie- which kinds of media you must be able to play in it, how important sound quality is to you, what your budget is, etc. I've known people who are completely happy with a cheap ghetto blaster and I've known people who think that a $1500 Yamaha receiver running through $2000 speakers sounds like crap.

Darth Wong wrote:It really depends on what kind of priorities you have, ie- which kinds of media you must be able to play in it, how important sound quality is to you, what your budget is, etc. I've known people who are completely happy with a cheap ghetto blaster and I've known people who think that a $1500 Yamaha receiver running through $2000 speakers sounds like crap.

True, and if you or Nitram is really picky about sound quality, make sure the store you buy it from has a liberal return policy as a lot of systems *cough*Bose*cough* often sound like shit when heard outside the confines of the store demo setup.

Personally, I'd like another Magnavox, even if Nitram's sure that the next one *won't* last 20yrs.

And I don't really want a surround-sound system, since Ihave the tendancy to roam from room to room, and usually have the stereo turned up so I can hear it from every room.

Stay away from Bose. The only thing they don't suck at is advertising.

Glocksman wrote:

Darth Wong wrote:It really depends on what kind of priorities you have, ie- which kinds of media you must be able to play in it, how important sound quality is to you, what your budget is, etc. I've known people who are completely happy with a cheap ghetto blaster and I've known people who think that a $1500 Yamaha receiver running through $2000 speakers sounds like crap.

True, and if you or Nitram is really picky about sound quality, make sure the store you buy it from has a liberal return policy as a lot of systems *cough*Bose*cough* often sound like shit when heard outside the confines of the store demo setup.

Mine sounds just fine.

Rogue 9 wrote:

Glocksman wrote:

Darth Wong wrote:It really depends on what kind of priorities you have, ie- which kinds of media you must be able to play in it, how important sound quality is to you, what your budget is, etc. I've known people who are completely happy with a cheap ghetto blaster and I've known people who think that a $1500 Yamaha receiver running through $2000 speakers sounds like crap.

True, and if you or Nitram is really picky about sound quality, make sure the store you buy it from has a liberal return policy as a lot of systems *cough*Bose*cough* often sound like shit when heard outside the confines of the store demo setup.

Mine sounds just fine.

How much did you pay for it.

I use an old Technics from the late 80's. When my parents originally bought it, it was close to $1000. I just like the fact that it has a full graphic EQ. Those are very rare today

Rogue 9 wrote:

Glocksman wrote: True, and if you or Nitram is really picky about sound quality, make sure the store you buy it from has a liberal return policy as a lot of systems *cough*Bose*cough* often sound like shit when heard outside the confines of the store demo setup.

Mine sounds just fine.

If you don't mind the bass boosts and mid scoops they put in, then by all means enjoy. Just realize that you won't be getting anywhere near accurate reproduction. Every consumer Bose system I have ever listened to has always had noticable boosts in the low end which yielded rather undesireable results.

Rogue 9 wrote:

Glocksman wrote:

Darth Wong wrote:It really depends on what kind of priorities you have, ie- which kinds of media you must be able to play in it, how important sound quality is to you, what your budget is, etc. I've known people who are completely happy with a cheap ghetto blaster and I've known people who think that a $1500 Yamaha receiver running through $2000 speakers sounds like crap.

True, and if you or Nitram is really picky about sound quality, make sure the store you buy it from has a liberal return policy as a lot of systems *cough*Bose*cough* often sound like shit when heard outside the confines of the store demo setup.

Mine sounds just fine.

Compared to what?

I'll be auditioning a bunch more speakers this week on my days off, I'll take a listen to some mini-systems while I'm at it. Should be educational since I've never seriously auditioned them. Is there any price range you'd like to stay within?

Rogue 9 wrote:

Glocksman wrote:...as a lot of systems *cough*Bose*cough* often sound like shit when heard outside the confines of the store demo setup.

Mine sounds just fine.

Ah the bliss of ignorance...a $1000 system built around Energy C-5 speakers will beat the hell out of any Bose system you can possibly put together. A system based on the Energy C-3 at about half that price will still be noticeably superior to any Bose system.

Rogue 9 wrote:

Glocksman wrote:

Darth Wong wrote:It really depends on what kind of priorities you have, ie- which kinds of media you must be able to play in it, how important sound quality is to you, what your budget is, etc. I've known people who are completely happy with a cheap ghetto blaster and I've known people who think that a $1500 Yamaha receiver running through $2000 speakers sounds like crap.

True, and if you or Nitram is really picky about sound quality, make sure the store you buy it from has a liberal return policy as a lot of systems *cough*Bose*cough* often sound like shit when heard outside the confines of the store demo setup.

Mine sounds just fine.

I bought a set of $700 Bose Acoustimass speakers once.
Once.
They sounded super in the store.
They sounded good at home.
Almost as good as the $300 set of Boston Acoustics A70's they were intended to replace.
Needless to say, they went back for a refund and I wound up with a set of Klipsch Cornwall II's.

LadyTevar wrote:At long last, after 20yrs of faithful service, my Magnavox Integrated Compact Stereo System has giving up the ghost. My Magnavox was top of the line back in the mid-80s, with 33/45rpm turntable (yes, it played VINYL), AM/FM stereo radio, and a dual cassette deck with speed record and continuous play. (And anyone who comments that it was older than they are gets hit. Hard.)

So, that leaves me with the unfortunate business of finding a new stereo. Unfortunately because I have looked over the options at the local CircuitCity and not found anything 'integrated' or 'compact' like my dearly departed Magnavox had been. I know better than to expect a turntable, but it would be nice to find a dual cassette with continuous play as well as a AM/FM radio. Nitram would like to have one with a RW-CD, mentioning that the cassettes need to be modernized. Since I paid for every one of those cassettes at the time, then it's not stealing if I make more permanent copies of MY Songs. Besides, some of them NEVER made it to CDs, like a few of my Filk collections.

But I would like to have some advice from board members who know a bit more about stereo equipment available before I go pay far too much for things I don't really need.

Try J&R music in New York you can reach them throughy amazon, rhwy have very nice compact stereos. Including one which has tape, Vinal, ama/FM and CD, oh and it looks loke a 1940's era radio before you open the cabinet for only $70

Thanks YB... I'll look into it.

I forgot about J&R.
The do have what you're looking for, but at $399 it may be a little pricey.
TEAC Nostalgia system

Two 2.5" Full-range speakers deliver stereo sound
Rotary Analog AM/FM radio tuner
Front-load CD Recorder Player supports CD, CDR and CDRW record and play
Up to 32-track CD music Memory + Repeat and Suffle play modes
Record level control and indicator
3-Speed Belt-drive turntable plays 78, 33, and 45 RPM records with automatic tonearm return at end of play
Rotary volume control with on/off
Function selector
Backlit LCD
Jack for adding Optional headphone
Wireless Remote Control
1 Auxiliary Audio input
Requires 120V AC, 60Hz USA Plug (power cord included)
Size WHD: 18.87" x 9.12" (unopened) x 15.00"
Weighs: 22.5 pounds

It probably doesn't have good sound with those built in speakers, though.

The speakers I had were two 8x11x4 in boxes that hung on the wall and plugged in underneath the stereo, Glocksman. The kind that had woofer and tweeter stacked together. It *did* have Dolby sound and bass boost....

Either way, I'm not wanting anything with 6-8 different speakers that's supposed to be wired up. I want a Simple System. Because I'm a Simple Person.

But that system looks good... I think Mom's got some old 78s somewhere, unless shes' sold them for money too.
Edit: Whooooooops! No good on the system, it doesn't have Cassette Decks! The record turntable's sweet, tho.

the nostalgia GF-290 does have cassetes and its half that price ($149.00) at least in my J&R christmans catalog it does.

The Yosemite Bear wrote:the nostalgia GF-290 does have cassetes and its half that price ($149.00) at least in my J&R christmans catalog it does.

Can you link me to one, hon? I don't use Amazon, try to avoid it when possible.

LadyTevar wrote:

The Yosemite Bear wrote:the nostalgia GF-290 does have cassetes and its half that price ($149.00) at least in my J&R christmans catalog it does.

Can you link me to one, hon? I don't use Amazon, try to avoid it when possible.

My Google-Fu may or may not save the day...

But it doesn't have the CD recorder they were looking for.
The other system doesn't have a tape deck, but it does have an auxiliary input, so one could be added for playback.
Apparently if you want CD audio recording capability outside of a PC, you'll pay plenty extra for it.

Personally, I'd get the cheaper system and buy a cheap tape deck (haunt the pawn shops, or even connect a cheap walkman to it) to connect to my PC in order to convert my tapes over to CD.

I thought they wanted cassette recorder ability?

well you can always use the jack to plug into the computer like my dad does. Like I mentioned my father used to be a frequent uploader of songs that aren't on CD to napster. mostly anchient 78rmp Blues and Classical music.

The Yosemite Bear wrote:I thought they wanted cassette recorder ability?

I think they wanted both.