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Here's a crude video I made on the subject of the boatload of "retro" or "reproduction" record player / radio / CD player / cassette player combinations that are built to look like a tube radio or phonograph from decades ago.

These things sell for a high price, are made to look pretty; but, are really pieces of junk. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON ONE! Many people have the misguided assumption that technology has gotten better over the decades and that these newer models are certainly better than the older models. Concerning these types of products, NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH! DON'T BUY ONE OF THESE "RETRO" RECORD PLAYERS! I'll explain why I feel this way.

1. The originals were well-built in the USA, were designed to last, and were meant to be fixed when they failed. These new models are mass-produced in China as fast as they can spit them out for the cheapest possible cost. Their performance is usually not that great, they don't last long, and are not meant to be fixed when they break. Usually, you're lucky if one of these functions correctly after the warranty expires.

2. Look at the cabinet on an old record player and you'll find that most of them are made of real wood with real wood veneer. Some were also made out of Bakelite or plastic. Now, look at the Chinese crapola model. The case will usually be made of particleboard with contact paper covering. Some models will even be made out of heavy cardboard. These cabinets are usually stapled and/or hot-glued together and after a while, the paper covering starts to lift.

3. The record changer or turntable in an old record player will mostly be made out of metal, is designed to last, and can be fixed. Most use an AC drive motor that usually only needs cleaning and lubrication to work again. The new models use a cheap all plastic turntable with a cheap, heavy tracking, plastic tonearm that will ruin your records. Yes, the older models often had rather heavy-tracking tonearms; but, I'd trust a properly restored vintage machine with my records over one of these modern pieces of junk. The drive motors on these modern units are of the cheap DC variety that wear out quickly and the rubber parts on these machines don't hold up well, either.

4. Feel the controls on one of these newer models and you'll notice how "cheap" they feel with their little plastic knobs and easily broken plastic control shafts. The older models had big knobs with metal control shafts that actually have a good feel to them when operated.

5. The chassis in a modern unit is built on a PC board, using the cheapest components and circuit designs available. Older units were often built on a large, metal chassis that used point-to-point wiring and they were built to be serviced.

6. The tuners in modern units are usually nothing to write home about in terms of selectivity and sensitivity. I have an old '50's unrestored Zenith AM/FM radio that was built in the USA and, in terms of sensitivity and selectivity, will blow this modern junk out of the water.

7. The CD and cassette mechanisms are very cheap in these modern replicas and are usually the first to go bad. If you want to play CD or tapes, get a good component stereo system.

8. These things are sold under many older names (Philco, Detrola, Crosley, Emerson, etc.) that were big names back during the golden age of American made electronics. Many people think that these companies are still in business as they were back then and that products with their brand plastered on them are quality. The fact is that all of these older American companies have been out of business for decades. The right to use these brand names are purchased by importers for the sole purpose of plastering a brand name on this junk and they know that people will more likely buy an item if it's branded with a name they recognize. In short, these new models have nothing in common with the original American companies who made great electronics. The same is true for modern TV's and other consumer electronics. That RCA, Magnavox, Sylvania, or Emerson TV you just bought was made in some Chinese factory and the brand name is owned by an offshore company. Your Grandmother's RCA TV that lasted for 30 years was a real American made RCA. The new RCA's are doing good to last 5 years.

For what these junkolas cost new, you could have that old VM, Zenith, or RCA record player that's been in the closet for years restored and you'd have something that would give you greater satisfaction and last longer than the hot-glued together box from China. Even the little kiddie record players from the '50's and '60's will put this modern retro looking junk to shame.

If you are still not yet convinced that the older models are better; then, please go out and buy a modern Crosley and enjoy it. I'll be happy to accept your old, outdated, unsafe model from decades gone by.