Mini Stereos and Cool Car Compo Ads

Very cool site. ^
Thanks Mister X.

 

This question was asked 4 years ago so I am not sure if it has been answered, but if not, I am adding it here to be known for all eternity!

S.P.A.N. stands for Synchron Performance Audio Network and refers to the rack and (mostly) DIN plug connections that carried the sound as well as signals to control other units within the system. This allowed for automatic switching between sources and trick features, for example, programming the turntable, then synchro recording to tape where the tape pauses until the stylus is lowered, then pauses again if the tonearm is lifted to access other programmed tracks or at the end of the record.

I hope this is useful information for someone!

 

I own one Sony MHC-1200 system. No speakers though.

 

Got this Mitsubishi set as well!

 

Actually these Aiwa systems quite often didn't have the option of RCA cables except for the phono and auxiliary inputs. They also often used non-standard DIN layouts, although the design seems to use the standard when they could. It means that using an individual component can be difficult in an existing or other branded systems. The best example is probably the Acoustic Feedback System (AFBS) that used 5 pin DIN plugs and a mic built into the speaker as a return audio loop to correct bass inconsistencies.

The more advertised feature was probably ease of setup though, with components just sliding straight in to the correct rack, with the plugs themselves built in. So many years later you can only hope they are all still together, or that you have a stella supply of 8 pin DIN plugs!

I do have to mention that you name reminds me of the Ultravox song too!

 

Yes, the "Molex" style connectors were pretty ubiquitous by the end of the 80s, sadly sometimes carrying remote, power and audio signals, which I am not sure is much better than having an all-in-one.

Aiwa used DIN plugs even after they were mostly abandoned in Europe, up to at least 1987. Not sure how popular Aiwa was in the U.S., but I do know the v-300 system from 1983 mad it there, DIN plugs and all, as it was present in the background of Back to the Future when Marty returned to 1985. I call it the "Lost BTTF Aiwa" as there are many videos about the famous "Walkman", and even the Panasonic clock radio, but I have never seen anything about the component system. Perhaps your idea of a YouTube video is a good one...