For sure. He’s wetting his beak. I think evolving from here would give him a real appreciation when he invests in the better stuff.
Not hating on people that buy top gear off the bat, but it feels like this medium deserves training the ear; learning what’s your dig without busting your wallet all the way open. Just an opinion.
I don't think this is a good way to evolve, to be honest. A $100 BT speaker will sound better than this. I agree with going in slow, but this system will be immediately disappointing, even to a newbie.
Good stereo gear has always been expensive. It's worth saving for.
I'm 46 and as a 13 year old, I would have killed for this in my bedroom. It's not high quality, but I always thought these systems looked awesome. Everyone has a starting point, so as long as you're happy with it, it will start you down a path of a lifelong obsession to obtain the "perfect" setup.
You can do a lot worse spending $50.
It’s not particularly good gear, but if it’s all functional 50 would be about right. Definitely not more than that. The tape deck is probably toast, but you should be able to plug in a Bluetooth receiver/wifi streamer and stream from your phone
The pioneer cd player at the bottom should be pretty decent too
As I recall, this was one of those cheaper all in one systems that was designed to look like a more expensive separates system.
Think of it as a boombox on steroids.
Ok for $50 but you won't be able to build on it.
To upgrade in the future you'll have to replace all of it.
I think these were made by Panasonic. We had the Technics branded version in the early 90s. They’re kind of bottom of the barrel but perhaps slightly better than a boombox or Bluetooth speaker. If the speakers still work. Mostly just takes up space.
If it works it's a start. Then once you have some money saved the first upgrade would be some good speakers. You'll notice a difference immediately. Then as you save more you can get seperate components, then flip this for what you paid.
Yes, it is an older set up. But if it all works. Great set up this was about 1500 never, a magnolia hi Fi predates (Audio king) sold this model or rac, Dec to up ends for any rac. But no we're close to pioneer eiite
My starting point was worse than that. It's actually a pretty good place to start. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. As you evolve, you'll appreciate the climb much more. Enjoy it for what it is and learn from it.
I have that system but with pioneer 403 3 way speakers in my basement gym. It’s well worth it at that price. It’ll blow your hair back with that 150 amp.
The turntable is the worst part about it. The frequency response out of the stock cartridge isn’t great but it’s not the worst I’ve heard.
It depends on what your budget is. If it is $50, then this will work.
Good stereo gear is, and always has been expensive. Be prepared.
Most rack systems like this were not know for their sonic value. They were built for teenagers. I am a big Realistic fan, but this stuff is likely low end. The Pioneer CD player is not bad. Plus all of those casettes!!
If it’s in good working order it will fill a room with sound. I would take this over $50 worth of Bluetooth crap any day of the week. Being an all in one system will limit your upgrade options but you could probably get better speakers and maybe a new tt down the line.
Realistic or Radio Shack was better quality than it gets credit for but I still would not call it premium, but that's a lot of equipment for only $50. Add in the cabinet and the Pioneer CD player, I think that's a great deal for a "starter".
Just sold one of those last year for $20 minus the rack and cd player. Neither tape player worked and the eq and balance sliders were dirty and scratchy when adjusting. Record player wasn't that great either. Sounded decent but nothing special, thus why I only sold for $20. I kept the rack for my pioneer stack lol.
These rack systems were the death of HiFi , some of the better names at the very beginning weren’t terrible. But they only got worse with their proprietary interconnects and plastic everything. You could probably find something much better. Hell even the chi fi stuff you can get on amazon will sound better than this. But if for some strange reason you are looking for that 1990 look this will work.
For 50 bones that ain’t bad. I wouldn’t expect the speakers to blow you away. Hifi this ain’t but it’s certainly a good start at that price.
Agreed, gives a good idea for $50. Better than half the systems on turntable or BudgetAudiophile.
For sure. He’s wetting his beak. I think evolving from here would give him a real appreciation when he invests in the better stuff. Not hating on people that buy top gear off the bat, but it feels like this medium deserves training the ear; learning what’s your dig without busting your wallet all the way open. Just an opinion.
Fully agreed, my appreciation for Heathkit and Realistic has grown over the years, great hifi at low prices. You have to go by your ears.
I don't think this is a good way to evolve, to be honest. A $100 BT speaker will sound better than this. I agree with going in slow, but this system will be immediately disappointing, even to a newbie. Good stereo gear has always been expensive. It's worth saving for.
I'm 46 and as a 13 year old, I would have killed for this in my bedroom. It's not high quality, but I always thought these systems looked awesome. Everyone has a starting point, so as long as you're happy with it, it will start you down a path of a lifelong obsession to obtain the "perfect" setup. You can do a lot worse spending $50.
It’s not particularly good gear, but if it’s all functional 50 would be about right. Definitely not more than that. The tape deck is probably toast, but you should be able to plug in a Bluetooth receiver/wifi streamer and stream from your phone The pioneer cd player at the bottom should be pretty decent too
As I recall, this was one of those cheaper all in one systems that was designed to look like a more expensive separates system. Think of it as a boombox on steroids. Ok for $50 but you won't be able to build on it. To upgrade in the future you'll have to replace all of it.
50 dollars and it all functions properly it would be a good beginner set
I think these were made by Panasonic. We had the Technics branded version in the early 90s. They’re kind of bottom of the barrel but perhaps slightly better than a boombox or Bluetooth speaker. If the speakers still work. Mostly just takes up space.
This will be at the crap off of most of the Chinese stuff people listen to these days. $50 is a good entry point for a whole setup like this.
Room to grow from here. Start switching out components and have fun
If it's working, $50 is fine.
If it works it's a start. Then once you have some money saved the first upgrade would be some good speakers. You'll notice a difference immediately. Then as you save more you can get seperate components, then flip this for what you paid.
Yes, it is an older set up. But if it all works. Great set up this was about 1500 never, a magnolia hi Fi predates (Audio king) sold this model or rac, Dec to up ends for any rac. But no we're close to pioneer eiite
F yeah!!!
My starting point was worse than that. It's actually a pretty good place to start. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. As you evolve, you'll appreciate the climb much more. Enjoy it for what it is and learn from it.
Offer them 30
Reminds me of my college dorm room in 1986
Wow..Radio Shack! What a flashback!
I have that system but with pioneer 403 3 way speakers in my basement gym. It’s well worth it at that price. It’ll blow your hair back with that 150 amp. The turntable is the worst part about it. The frequency response out of the stock cartridge isn’t great but it’s not the worst I’ve heard.
It depends on what your budget is. If it is $50, then this will work. Good stereo gear is, and always has been expensive. Be prepared. Most rack systems like this were not know for their sonic value. They were built for teenagers. I am a big Realistic fan, but this stuff is likely low end. The Pioneer CD player is not bad. Plus all of those casettes!!
Way better than a lot of the crap being posted here. This is a decent system
If it’s in good working order it will fill a room with sound. I would take this over $50 worth of Bluetooth crap any day of the week. Being an all in one system will limit your upgrade options but you could probably get better speakers and maybe a new tt down the line.
Realistic or Radio Shack was better quality than it gets credit for but I still would not call it premium, but that's a lot of equipment for only $50. Add in the cabinet and the Pioneer CD player, I think that's a great deal for a "starter".
If it sounds good to you it’s good 👍🏻
Just sold one of those last year for $20 minus the rack and cd player. Neither tape player worked and the eq and balance sliders were dirty and scratchy when adjusting. Record player wasn't that great either. Sounded decent but nothing special, thus why I only sold for $20. I kept the rack for my pioneer stack lol.
These rack systems were the death of HiFi , some of the better names at the very beginning weren’t terrible. But they only got worse with their proprietary interconnects and plastic everything. You could probably find something much better. Hell even the chi fi stuff you can get on amazon will sound better than this. But if for some strange reason you are looking for that 1990 look this will work.
Only the cd player…
50$ shitboax hard to find nowadays new