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  • Author Author: tariq.ahmad
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Teardown of a 1972 Sanyo G-2607 Portable Briefcase Stereo System -- The Electronics Inside-79

Most people can remember or know what a boom box is (or was). But what did it's grandfather look like? Was it a revolutionary product, or just a few bits bolted together in a box? In this video, Dave takes us on a journey into the inner workings of a vintage Sanyo Portable Stereo Solid State Music Center from 1972. This portable music center was an all-in-one solution, featuring stereo speakers, a turntable, a stereo tuner, and a cassette deck. While it may seem a bit outdated by today's standards, Dave highlights the uniqueness and potential of such a device. 

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One of the intriguing aspects is its battery operation, requiring a hefty 45 pounds of batteries to keep it running. Dave also points out the switchable voltage feature, which was quite specific at the time, considering the standardization of voltages in the EU. 

The video explores the device's analog features, such as the analog gauge for battery and mic levels, and the retractable antenna – a feature seldom seen in modern electronics.  

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Dave dissects the device to discover its internal components and connections. He explores how this portable music center combines off-the-shelf components, raising questions about its integration and functionality. Dave also investigates the turntable, which appears to be direct drive, and the cassette deck with its interesting mechanics. 

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One noteworthy observation is that, despite the "stereo" labeling, the record player turns out to be mono. Dave goes on to speculate about potential modern upgrades, like Bluetooth connectivity or an auxiliary input, to make it relevant for today's music enthusiasts. 

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As he delves deeper into the internals, Dave encounters various PCBs and modules, questioning their origins and functions. He uncovers the amplifier and preamp circuits and explores how signals are routed within the device. 

In the end, Dave ponders whether the reuse of standard components in this vintage music center is a testament to their durability and adaptability or a sign of repackaging. He invites viewers to share their ideas for modernizing this device for the 21st century and looks forward to potential future projects. 

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Parents

  • Rather than upcycling, you could perhaps try making a modern modular equivalent.

    Perhaps take a CD player mechanism, a digital radio tuner, MP3 player and fit them all together into a portable mini briefcase combo.

    You could have fun with the displays as e.g. TFT tuner dial and switchable VU / scope / spectrum analyser meters.

    You could also replace the CD player with a DVD player and throw in a video display or mini projector.

    Also there is the opportunity to improve the overall sound quality. Slight smile

  • in reply to beacon_dave

    Yes, I think that would be amazing!  The speakers alone would be in great need of an update!

  • in reply to a531016

    Keeping the briefcase size would allow you to improve the speakers and perhaps allow you to throw in a decent power bank. May have to accept that the input will most likely be from one or more mobile devices over Bluetooth. Might want a screen though so as you can increase the size of the mobile device display for watching element14 video content. It could double up for visualisations, although would be a power drain.

  • in reply to a531016

    I guess there is the danger that you end up with something very similar to the current all-in-one portable PA systems.

    The likes of Coomber have been doing these type of modular build units for years, transitioning from compact cassette, to CD, to USB/SD, to Bluetooth as technology and trends change. They've just tended to turn the 'briefcase' on its side.

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    Perhaps more common these days is to start with your typical active monitor speaker cabinet and slot in a media player, Bluetooth player  and a small mixer circuit, and then power it with a small motorcycle battery.

  • in reply to beacon_dave

    Mostly today it is just a Bluetooth speaker - your phone does the rest.

  • in reply to dougw

    Agreed, it's the additional physical media that'd make something special?

  • in reply to a531016

    I think it was the ability to play all of the popular content formats of the time in a portable format and powerful enough to entertain a number of people that made it special.

    However as Doug says, today the phone is mainly used to provide the different content and you just need the Bluetooth speaker to scale it up for a larger audience. Although you may want more than one Bluetooth receiver so as you can pair up a number of Bluetooth audio devices.

    However, today you also have the likes of YouTube, Teams, Zoom, etc. which now involves video which needs to be scaled up for larger gatherings. Hence why I was suggesting the likes of adding a video screen.

    Perhaps you stick a Raspberry Pi in their with cellular modem so as you can access Internet media.

  • in reply to a531016

    People seem to be more interested in convenience than HiFi these days. A mono Bluetooth speaker playing compressed MP3 audio is not the  best HiFi that could be produced with today's technology. Some of those old audio systems would easily outperform such a setup.

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