Silly money for an old AIWA Tape Deck!

Discussion in 'Cassette Decks' started by Mister X, Jan 6, 2026.

  1. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

    Messages:
    19,112
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Minnesota
    AIWA XK-S1000 went for a little over $10,000 USD, wow. Even with some war wounds, it must be extremely rare. I wonder how the wood base works, maybe the only thing without corrosion. I feel like the colors popped more when new, they look kind of faded now.

    Anybody know what the twin transformer power supply is for? Isolating noise? I'm assuming the greebly's on the back are part of that.

    https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h1201270951

    upload_2026-1-6_20-28-58.png upload_2026-1-6_20-29-27.png
    upload_2026-1-6_20-30-1.png
    upload_2026-1-6_20-31-22.png
     
    DutchNick and retro like this.
  2. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

    Messages:
    19,112
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Here's a shot of a different aiwa's transformer shielding. Other posters think it might be a prototype since any information on the S1000 Model is non-existent.


    upload_2026-1-6_20-39-41.png
     
  3. Reli

    Reli Well-Known Member S2G Supporter

    Messages:
    1,082
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    USA
    Definitely one of Aiwa's ugliest decks. Wonder what drove the high bidding.
     
    Mister X likes this.
  4. Black Fingers

    Black Fingers Active Member

    Messages:
    177
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Netherlands
    Looks to me that this XK-S1000 is exactly the same as the XK-S9000....and plenty of those around and a lot cheaper. Yo can buy some awesome kit for 10K, atleast better then this Aiwa imho
     
    Michiel, Mister X and Reli like this.
  5. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

    Messages:
    19,112
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Minnesota
    I love the look, patented AIWA Small, Square Buttons everywhere, just like the portables. It looks like the S9000 goes for around $2000.00 USD, I don't know but wouldn't that put this in flagship category for AIWA?

    It looks like it went to a Bulgarian Collector? I'm not sure but this post is only a couple months old. These guys are serious collectors, one post has a stack of four Dragons.
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1609846889565456/posts/1916223345594474/


    upload_2026-1-8_16-29-50.png
     
    thid and Black Fingers like this.
  6. Black Fingers

    Black Fingers Active Member

    Messages:
    177
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Netherlands
    I also like the look of this Aiwa but i have a soft spot for Aiwa's :) but to call it ugly? :p
    But Aiwa also used different model numbers for their JDM and export decks....maybe this guy from Bulgaria really wanted the S1000 version because it's more 'rare' then the S9000. But i also have sold decks to Bulgaria and they are crazy about tapedecks and are willing to pay good money for a serviced deck. Maybe the same guy bought my Hitachi D3500 toploader which is also a very rare deck....there are some collectors there, also in Romania and Hungary
    Hitachi D-3500
    P7050578s.jpg
     
    Mister X likes this.
  7. Reli

    Reli Well-Known Member S2G Supporter

    Messages:
    1,082
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    USA
    When I said ugly I meant compared to the:
    AD-6550
    AD-6600
    AD-6800
    AD-6900
     
    Black Fingers and Mister X like this.
  8. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

    Messages:
    19,112
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Minnesota
    The horizontal decks never grew on me until the last few years. I used to see a few at the thrifts but mostly walked by except for the two or three I did buy. They just take up too much space and tape decks used to be pretty much free plus to me they were the most unattractive of the bunch.

    I've changed and now seeing photos of them in use makes me appreciate them a lot more, plus I was only one of a handful championing tape decks in the early 2000's, it was easier to stick up for a newer Nak or cool JVC then the first 70's models.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2026
  9. Black Fingers

    Black Fingers Active Member

    Messages:
    177
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Netherlands
    Those are indeed nice decks...still own a AD6350 and AD6500 myself :)

    yeah space was also the problem for me...love decks but i like living space more ;)
     
    Mister X likes this.
  10. simonali19

    simonali19 New Member

    Messages:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    UK
    I think I have some old tape decks knocking about. Shall we say 3 grand each or two for 5 grand?

    :delighted:
     
    Mister X likes this.
  11. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

    Messages:
    19,112
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Minnesota
    I always loved the tape side of music for the engineering sophistication, unlike turntables (which I also love), they can require more setup (fun) to fine tune. Feel free to post your decks simonali19, if you haven't checked, you'd be surprised what old decks are going for.
     
  12. soluna

    soluna Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    303
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Germany
    Sorry, but the auction number shows this :
    Deck.jpg
    with a price of about 600 € - from where the difference is coming ?
    By my meaning, - this price is OK.
     
    Mister X likes this.
  13. simonali19

    simonali19 New Member

    Messages:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    UK
    I expect they're up in the loft. I'm guessing one Akai, one Pioneer from memory. The former (I think) has an ingenious A-B half speed erase tool in case of mistakes. It will play a tape at half speed so you can delete accidental snippets of tracks you don't want on there.

    I wonder if they still work after 20 plus years in the loft?!
     
    Mister X likes this.
  14. simonali19

    simonali19 New Member

    Messages:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    UK
    Think there is also a Sony AM/FM tuner and MD recorder up there somewhere. I still use a Pioneer CD player from 1993 now and then.
     
    Mister X likes this.
  15. simonali19

    simonali19 New Member

    Messages:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    UK
    Pioneer is a CT-737
    Akai is a GX-52
     
    Mister X likes this.
  16. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

    Messages:
    19,112
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Whoops, my exchange calculator might be off?
     

Share This Page