GRUNDIG XPC 6500 TP (GERMANY 1979)
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Music centers were very popular in Europe where most european manufacturers were offering a wide range of all-in-one music centers throughout the 70's. One of the most sophisticated if not the most sophisticated was the GRUNDIG XPC 6500 TP introduced in 1979. While most music centers were all in one unit, this Grundig had a slightly different approach. Instead of a built-in amplifier section this model only had a pre-amplifier section that could be partnered with a wide variety of Active loudspeakers from Grundig. The pre-amplifier section is a Class-A construction with 1 Volt output (for the active loudspeakers) and all electronic control with LED or LCD status display for tone control, balance, volume control and source selector. The radio section can receive FM Stereo, AM and LW radio programs, it has automatic and manual electronic tuning, again with LED and LCD status displays and 10 presets. The cassette section is Grundig's own design (the CB 230 A TP module) with one motor, Long-Life recording/playback head and mechanical control. The cassette recorder can handle Normal, Chrome and Ferrochrome tapes (30 Hz to 16 kHz all tapes) and it features a Dolby noise reduction circuit. The turntable section is a DUAL 491 ARC (see here) Direct Drive model with Shure DM 95 G cartridge. All the electronically controlled functions can be remote operated with the TP 6500 ultrasound remote control. With the same remote the turntable start/stop and arm lift can be controlled while for the cassette section only the pause function was remote controlled. Dimensions are 690 x 200 x 430 mm
ITT HC-9071 (GERMANY 1979)
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The ITT HIFI-Center HC9071 was introduced in 1979 and it was one of the most complex units of this kind on the market. It features a 48 W/ch (Sinus DIN 4 ohm) amplifier, LW, MW and FM Stereo radio section with 11 FM presets, a 3-Motor logic-controlled cassette deck with manual level control and Dolby noise reduction and a DUAL 491 A-RC Direct Drive turntable. The highlight of the system is the full control infrared remote called HIFI PROCESSOR. The remote control is situated on the right-hand side of the music center in a dedicated place. By gently pressing the top of the remote this will be lifted for easy removal. Below the remote there are preset controls for volume, balance, bass and treble. When operating the unit, volume, balance, bass and treble are electronically controlled via the infrared remote control. The front panel is dominated by a series of large (visible from distance) fluorescent status displays for volume, balance, bass and treble. The tuner section has also fluorescent displays for frequency and preset. In addition to the full remote controlled cassette section the turntable also has remote controlled start, stop and arm lift functions. This music center can be found under two more ITT owned brands, the GRAETZ HMC 400 and the slightly rarer INGELEN HMC 400 (see the one from the 1001 Hi-Fi Collection here) Size of the unit is 744 x 190 x 380 mm / 20,3 kg.
SHARP SG-500H (JAPAN 1978)
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The SHARP SG-500H stereo "compact" music center was introduced in 1979 and it was the biggest model of the range. It's an all-electronic controlled system that can be remote controlled too. The system features a 45 W/ch (sinus DIN 4 ohm) amplifier, FM-AM-MW-SW radio section with 7 presets, a logic-controlled cassette section with manual recording level adjustment and a direct drive turntable section. The remote control can be used for system on-off, radio preset selection, volume, turntable start-stop, cassette deck play, stop and music search (APSS). Overall dimensions are 770x183x456 mm, 25 kg. The matching loudspeaker was the 3 way closed system CP-500H.
SONY HMK-9000 (JAPAN 1980)
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For those who wanted hi-fi sound without the inconvenience of having three or four separate units to be connected together, there was the HMK-9000 from Sony. The HMK-9000 was the top-of-the-range model with features that really do qualify it as top-quality hi-fi. The receiver section of the unit features LW, AM and FM Stereo radio with preset station memory, while the amplifier section features a 2x40 W (sinus DIN 8ohm) amplifier with bass, treble, Loudness and volume preset controls that can be used with two pairs of loudspeakers. The turntable section is no less impressive. A Direct Drive unit that is powered by Sony's revolutionary new "BSL", brushless and slotless DC motor. It's not only extremely accurate but also exceptionally reliable. Coupled with the quartz lock system, this ensures that the record platter rotates at constant speed and distortions like wow and flutter are kept to a minimum. The turntable also features stroboscope for accurate speed adjustment (when quartz control is off), touch controls located on the top panel, and is equipped with a VL-34 G cartridge. The cassette recorder section can handle all 4 tape types, it's equipped with BSL-motor, S&F (Sendust and Ferrite) head, 2x12 segment LED level meter, Music search system with LED display, Dolby noise reduction, all in a slide-out tray mechanism. There is also a built-in Digital clock that can perform timer operation of the unit. The whole system can be remote controlled with a infra-red "commander" that clips neatly into place on the front of the machine when not in use and automatically recharges, ready for the next commands. The recommended speakers for HMK-9000 are the Sony SS E50 or SS E70. Dimensions: 688x160x500 mm. | Weight: 24 kg.
