I thought that reader might get a kick out of this. The photo here. This is my graduate school stereo system. Right! What we are seeing here is this:
- Top Row (from left) – Scott tuner (possibly a 299-C), Fisher amplifier (maybe a KX-100), Sound Design 8-Track player (I think it is a model 477).
- Lower Row – Reel-to-reel tape machine (probably a Wollensack 3M 5780).
- Headphones (hanging on left side) – Koss (most likely LV-10).
The story is interesting. When I was in graduate school a friend of mine said he was looking to sell his old stereo gear. The had this Scott tuner and Fisher amp. I know that these units were considered to be top-line, back in the 1960s, but old for the then-current day. Unfortunately, they did not work.
For something like $15 I purchased both. When I got them home I started checking and discovered that both the amp and tuner had blown fuses. A quick trip to the local Radio Shack and I was in business. I cleaned both of the devices carefully and connected speakers. The sound was excellent. I eventually discovered that a couple of tube sockets on the Fisher amp were either dirty or worn and that I had to make sure that the tubes were properly seated. But, some touch-up cleaning mostly solved that problem.
The Sound Design 8-track is another story. I don’t remember how or when I got that. My car at that time, and Opel Kadett Rallye, had an 8-track so I certainly purchased the player so that I could listen to tapes at home.
The reel-to-reel tape player is a Wollensack. IT actually had a pair of speakers which were hinged to the case. When closed they protected themselves and the tape machine itself. They could then be folded open or removed as desired. I don’t recall the source of this device, but I probably traded for it.
The Koss headphone were pretty good. They were foam padded on-ear models. Actually, I think they were branded as Realistic, which was a house brand for Radio Shack.
The funny thing is, some of this stuff is quite valuable to collectors today. In fact, I really to wish I had the tuner and the amplifier, but they are much too expensive today, if you can find them. I recently saw a pair of LV-10 headphones for sale at $30.
Fascinating, isn’t it?