I’m trying to remember my teenage (or young adult) stereo system. There wasn’t a lot going on, microcomputer wise back then. And my stereo system, is where I could have a little tech exposure. It was fun to research and try and build a decent system on a young persons budget. From memory my receiver was a Pioneer, BIC speakers, Dual turntable. I may still have the manuals somewhere. I loved the blue glow from the Pioneer receiver with it’s signal and tuning meters. All components were encased in wood.
My little stereo system was vastly superior to my parents RCA stereo console system. In fairness it’s the type of stereo many post WWII people of my parents age (The Greatest Generation), bought in the 1960’s. My dad said they bought it when they heard Al Hirt’s Honey in the Horn, album playing on it. I love that album to this day. Especially remember seeing my parents dance to it in the living room. I have to admit the automatic next record system (where records stacked above the turntable, would drop down to play at the end of the current record) was pretty cool for the time. It resembled this (but it opened with sliding doors)…
Most of my music I listened to came from the FM tuner or my vinyl record collection, which largely came from the RCA and Columbia House music clubs. You started by sending them a penny for like 12 albums. Then you had to agree to buy more until the obligation was met. They would send you their pick each month, if you waited to long to reject it they would send it and charge you for it. I was usually pretty good about saying NO. But I forgot a few times. I remember getting a KISS album that I probably still have but never opened.
My Pioneer receiver which wasn’t powerful (maybe 20-30 watts per channel, if I remember correctly) looked very similar to this …
I don’t have to guess at the speakers, because I still have them (haven’t used them in years). The foam grill cover disintegrated.
They were very good sounding and stylish looking speakers, at the time, for my little bedroom. My young friends were impressed.
I used Gimp to create the foam grill design, as I best remembered it. I googled and none of the pictures showed the grill. I don’t use Gimp a lot these days. I use to be pretty comfortable with it.
My Dual turntable, with diamond stylus (before CDs), resembled this…
Anyway, I wanted to document as best as I remember, before age causes me to completely forget.