Building the Retro Stereo

When I first graduated from college, got a job, and moved out into the world, one of my first purchases was a component stereo system.  In the early 90s, I built a system with all Technics components and I worked my way up from bookshelf speakers to DCM Timeframe Speakers.  It was a slick stereo system.  However, after a seven or eight years, I donated it to charity prior because we were moving around a bit.  Lately I've been missing that old stereo.


 

Fortunately, I've been able to rebuild much of my old system on the cheap.  But, 20 years later, my stereo is even cooler because it is retro!  Here is a picture of my "new" retro system:

Technics & Sony Thrift Store Stereo

  Over a few thrift store runs, I was able to get these components at these prices:
Technics Stereo Amplifier  SU-V76                                    $12.91
Technics Quartz Synthesizer Stereo Tuner ST-S76         $8.98 
Sharp 40W Stereo Speakers                                                  $6.96 
Sony CDP-C235 5 Disc CD Changer                                     $25.91
Technics RS-T16 Stereo Double Cassette Deck               $15.91
                                                                                                  -------------
Total                                                                                            $70.61

My initial purchases to get going were less than $40.

How I Built a Component Stereo for $40 

I'm running it with some old Bose speakers that have been in a closet for about 10 years and they sound great.  Free is also a great price for Bose speakers.

Of course, a thrifty stereo is not without problems.  The Sony CD player is a little clunky and has skipped on a few CDs.  Of course, it was made in 1993 and is twenty years old!  Twenty years old and still running!  However, I may have to get a new one just to protect our CD collection from scratches and other issues. I also need to get some more stereo wires to get everything running at once. 

Right now, I'm just glad to have a sweet sounding base stereo system that I can expand an build on!  It's cool to bring music back to our home with a good receiver and good speakers.

Thrift Store Speakers

If you've been inspired to look for stereo equipment at your local thrift store, I need to add one more caveat.  The paper and foam in stereo speakers deteriorates over time.  If possible, pull the grill of any prospective speaker purchase from a thrift store.  You might find that the speaker looks like this --

-- or like this:

Unless you just want to by vintage stereo speakers as a restoration project, I wouldn't recommend buying speakers unless you can confirm that they are in good shape and working.  Otherwise, you can buy perfectly good speakers online or at your local stereo store.