What is the difference between all the AIWA Compo Boxes?

Discussion in 'Chat Area' started by Mister X, Jan 25, 2018.

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  1. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    A small retailer's blurb in Leisure Time Electronics 1981 for the M-501, with some magazines and search terms!


    AIWA M-501 1981.png
     
    Mister X, Mar 30, 2022
    #221
  2. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    Found this ad from 1981, pricing is USD, I had no idea that battery pack was so expensive!



    AIWA 1981.png
     
    Mister X, May 17, 2022
    #222
  3. David Waterman

    David Waterman Member

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    Nice! What currency is that in? I can't see any clues...
     
    David Waterman, May 17, 2022
    #223
  4. lupogtiboy

    lupogtiboy Well-Known Member

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    Erm...without wanting to be 'that' guy, it says US Dollars in the description!
     
    lupogtiboy, May 18, 2022
    #224
  5. David Waterman

    David Waterman Member

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    OK, I'm blind...I /still/ can't see a currency - re-read it several times :/ Could you point out where?....never mind! It is not in the ad itself, but the comment Mister X added...doh. Sorry about that :)
     
    David Waterman, May 18, 2022
    #225
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  6. David Waterman

    David Waterman Member

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    I had one of those back in the early '80s, but sold it in the late '80s - because I wanted a more 'mature' set up, ie a rack system with components chosen for their forte....regretted it ever since.

    But....my mum bought me another one for Christmas just gone (off ebay)...I've yet to pick it up (from a friend that did the purchase), but I'm quite keen to do so! I don't know if the cassette deck works, but the rest, apparently, is in good order.
     
    David Waterman, May 18, 2022
    #226
  7. lupogtiboy

    lupogtiboy Well-Known Member

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    The cassette deck will definitely need the belts doing, I have 2 or maybe 3 decks that need doing, but I've heard they are a pain to do so never bothered with mine!
     
    lupogtiboy, May 18, 2022
    #227
  8. David Waterman

    David Waterman Member

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    Yeah, I had read that the belts are a pita to replace, but I'm up for a challenge. Do you know of any guides on how to do it? Perhaps I can also document my experiences doing it...or not doing it :/
     
    David Waterman, May 18, 2022
    #228
  9. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    Post photos when you get it David Waterman, I'd love to see it. I think there's some info floating around the internet about changing the belts, I've got a handful of those little AIWA Decks but also haven't cracked any open yet. When I started this thread you could still get a stack for pretty reasonable but they're starting to ask for big money now for the units.
     
    Mister X, May 18, 2022
    #229
  10. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    From 1979


    Mart 1979-07 Vol 25 Iss 18.png
     
    Mister X, May 31, 2022
    #230
  11. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    Some insight into mini-components from 1979, MART Magazine. I would love to see some of the vintage displays for this equipment!


    Mart 1979-09 Vol 26 Iss 1 1.png
    Mart 1979-09 Vol 26 Iss 1 2.png
     
    Mister X, May 31, 2022
    #231
  12. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    Found this press release out of Stereo Magazine from 1980, now I have to see if I've got the AA-16VH amp?


    Stereo Summer 1980 Vol 13 Iss 3.png
     
    Mister X, Jun 15, 2022
    #232
  13. DutchNick

    DutchNick Active Member

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    Here is a complete Aiwa 30 system with speakers, cabinet, and the funky plastic cover that goes over the back!
    IMG_1180.JPG
    IMG_1182.JPG
    IMG_1178.JPG
    IMG_1179.JPG
     
    DutchNick, Jul 30, 2022
    #233
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  14. Reli

    Reli Well-Known Member

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    Wow, very nice!
     
    Reli, Jul 30, 2022
    #234
  15. Gonçalo Dumas

    Gonçalo Dumas Member

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    Great set!
     
    Gonçalo Dumas, Jul 31, 2022
    #235
  16. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    That looks like a wade of cash! The speakers look nice, AIWA seemed to have put some money into the little speakers. I'm wondering about the inverted dust cover a la Marantz, is that original?

    Thanks for sharing, that has to be a very rare complete set.
     
    Mister X, Jul 31, 2022
    #236
  17. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    Found some new UK Magazines over on worldradiohistory.com Here's pricing for a little AIWA 22 System from 1980


    AIWA 22 Hi-Fi-News-1980-05.png
     
    Mister X, Jul 31, 2022
    #237
  18. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    So the UK Factories only did some assembly work... From 1985, Everyday Electronics Magazine


    everyday_electronics-1985_08.png
     
    Mister X, Sep 10, 2022
    #238
  19. David Waterman

    David Waterman Member

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    That's very interesting.

    It makes me wonder, though, what exactly does a 'Made in the UK' sticker on one of these actually make me think is going to be different.

    The main implication *to me* is that it will be tuned to sound better to the 'British ear'. IINM, the British tend to like 'flatter' sounds - not as bass heavy as other markets - so focuses on crisper treble and mid-range. I can literally remember thinking this is what it would mean, and I've actively looked for the label on Aiwa equipment with this idea (rightly or wrongly, probably wrongly).

    In any case, I think that sort of work can be done without any local work.

    Of course, there's still the possibility that the 'audio engineering' work could have been done in the UK, since it is 'one time' work done before anything is actually manufactured, and the result being some slight difference in key components that could still be shipped from 'the far east'.
    The article also admits that transformers are sourced locally. IINM, transformers are key components for audio equipment, and contribute to sound quality.

    Frankly, I don't find anything especially surprising in the report, though it is interesting. What did people actually expect?

    I also wonder what the unstated 'long term significance' is...we're left to make our own conclusions there, which is irritating. Might it hint at some kind of anti-Japanese attitude?

    I am reminded of the label on Apple products - 'Designed in California. Assembled in China.' or something like that. Perhaps something like that would have been more accurate? Too wordy for a sticker though.
     
    David Waterman, Sep 11, 2022
    #239
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  20. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    I don't know but Marantz was doing it back in the 70's, "Designed by Marantz U.S.A. Produced in Japan" was common on the mid-70's products on the back label.

    I remember back in Michigan they started a "Foreign Trade Zone" where mostly Japanese and German Car Part Manufacturers could import product parts and clear customs faster. I think they had some assembly, something very similar, just putting a few screws together. I'm sure the auto manufacturers were driving the policy, any delay could shut down a plant, and they were huge with thousands of workers moving 24 hrs a day. Most auto manufacturing moved to Mexico in the 90's and they made the suppliers build across the street, when they needed a part a forklift would bring it over. At this point it became very hard to determine where everything was coming from.
     
    Mister X, Sep 11, 2022
    #240
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