1986 Sanyo GXT-255 integrated stereo system

[@Jared-91]

I've been binge watching this guy's older videos.

[@DrCassette]

Very nice stereo system, it's surprisingly well made! You really can see that Sanyo and Fisher back then were the same, this system looks similar to my big Fisher stereo except they used different colours.

[@EzeeLinux]

This Sanyo is nicer than most. Dolby and 70 ms EQ is really rare on these types of systems, too. Great find. This would make a wonderful second system for a den or work room. Don't you wish someone built something like this today? I've seen some all-in-ones that looked promising but when you get into them you find that they have really cheaped out the design. This isn't high end, by any means, but much, much better than anything being built today. :) JC

[@kevinbradshaw1420]

Rare for Sanyos or for integrated stereo systems?

[@insolentstickleback3266]

That is a cool unit! Just a few days ago I dug the Sanyo 8 track player out of storage that I used to listen to in the late 70’s. 57 now, can’t believe I still have it! I was just a tadpole listening to Yes Roundabout, Kansas, Rush, Queen etc.

[@IAmNotAFunguy]

The 80s was a great time to buy things because evn the cheaply built crap like that was well built and built to last.

[@tripsadelica]

This unit was also labelled as a TEAC in Australia and NZ. They were made by either Tatung in Taiwan or the precursor to Samsung in South Korea (for the Australian market...Japan for the US market) and used good quality Japanese components.

[@Warp2090]

And these stereos were considered low end at the time. Even the low end stuff back then lasted longer than most of the high end stuff today

[@mojorisen74]

I had this one, Got it for Christmas 1987. I had it for about 4 years.

[@vwestlife]

The phono cartridge is the Sanyo MG-9 (not the MG-10 as I think I said in the video), so the stylus for it is the ST-G9. Aftermarket equivalents include Pfanstiehl 736-D7 and Electro-Voice 3095D.

[@vwestlife]

*Correction:* It actually _is_ a Sanyo MG-10 cartridge, and the correct stylus for it is the 736-D7K. The 736-D7 without the K on the end is designed for a lighter tracking force, and will bottom out when used on this turntable.

[@vwestlife]

@CoolDudeClem My 1994 Panasonic stereo that I did a video on a long time ago is actually pretty good quality. It was a "Christmas special" because in the '90s stereo systems with a built-in turntable became extinct, except during the Holiday season when they would offer one or two models on sale.

[@bleekg1bleekg193]

just inherited one of these brand new

[@VSigma725]

Mid-80s Sanyo aesthetic is one of my favorite things, I now own a Sanyo DCX685/RDW685 receiver/cassette combination, where they're physically separate units but the cassette deck receives power from/sends data to the receiver via an 8 pin Molex type connector.

[@JrGoonior]

Vincent B My dad bought one that sounds a lot like the one you described, probably about 1985ish. Used to stay up late and record the “Midnight Album” on WLUP, the station would play an entire album at midnight. I still have a couple of those recordings around. They didn’t sound all that bad either, the tuner was full quiet so no hiss in the background. I remember the power supply gave up so the tuner/amp was dead, but at 15 years old I was able to wire up a decent 12 volt power supply to the turntable and we used it that way for several years afterward. Edit: I checked eBay for that model number and sure enough that was exactly the one!!!!!!

[@Trance88]

The upper AM Frequencies above 1600 weren't really part of the AM band until around 1993 or so. Very neat looking unit. It sorta reminds me of my parents old 1987 off brand Catalog ordered "Thomas" branded stereo that came with a TV and a VCR.

[@cbfall]

WOW! vwestlife! I remember seeing this exact stereo system at an old friend of mine's house the year it came out! It looked so cool! Man,It's a good thing these type of stereo systems are still around! Maybe not as many but some are around! Thanks for posting this! Really cool to watch!

[@hunterleach5710]

That's so cool, I am a fan of stereo systems like that from the 1980s and '90s, I have one and it's pretty cool and everything works except the two cassette players, they eat tapes, it probably needs to be cleaned

[@vwestlife]

That, or you may need to replace the belts.

[@hunterleach5710]

@@vwestlife why would I need to replace the belts, the only reason I would replace the belts is if the right spindle wasn't moving because if the right spindle on the cassette deck is jammed then it can cause the tape to get eaten, and the only reason that could possibly be if the Auto stop failed, but I do not think I need to replace the belts, and the way I would do it is cassette cleaning tape

[@vwestlife]

@Lachlant1984 I ordered the service manual for it, so I'll see what's what. I didn't see a battery on the circuit board at first glance, but I do know that some 1980s tuners use a battery to retain the preset memory. This tuner also doesn't "wrap around" at the ends of the band -- if you seek up or down and it hits the end of the band, it then starts seeking the other way.

[@vwestlife]

@Machinia Yes... I could easily fit an entire CD player inside, if I didn't mind the tray coming out of the side or back.

[@vwestlife]

@Trance88 The FCC created the Travelers' Information Station (TIS) service on 530 and 1610 kHz in 1977, so it really should cover up to 1610 on AM (and since 1993, the band has been further expanded to 1700 kHz).

[@ssnoc]

That thing has a zillion options and switches - looks great 👍

[@vwestlife]

It didn't matter. Just like Tom Jones, women loved him anyway because of his looks and voice, regardless of how cheesy his music was.

[@Oli1974]

And how he moved.

[@vwestlife]

@grod75 Could be, or maybe one of the other components in the tuner circuit has gone bad. There is usually a trim-pot to adjust the FM mute level, but even with that turned all the way up, it should still un-mute when tuned to a very strong signal.

[@coolbluelights]

That is NICE! you can't get stereo systems anymore, just those stupid useless ipod docks I want to smash them all!

[@RJDA.Dakota]

I had a Panasonic stereo system of the same type and this looks virtually exactly like it in almost every way.

[@vwestlife]

@digidude86 The specs for the amplifier chip claim 20 watts per channel. It doesn't say if that's peak or RMS wattage, but I'm guessing peak.

[@saintmichael1779]

Tom Jones also recorded for Parrot Records.

[@bbishoppcm]

Man... I remember these! My uncle had a similar unit made by Yorx. I've come to determine the lower-grade the equipment, the more knobs, lights, sliders, and switches it has.

[@marlucandixital9582]

This sound system were the madness: -Can you lend me your lp record or cassette? -Sure, i know you'll dub it.

[@1Soniccool]

@vweslife I have a Sony Walkman model number SRF-86 it was used for outside use it can be used for running,and jogging. It does AM/FM the AM antenna is built in and the FM antenna is from the headphones. It did came with a strap that can fit on your hand or arm. Sony have the AVLS system for when the volume is way to load for the headphone it has 2 presets and the FM can go from local to DX. it is from 2001.

[@kylepasichnyk5013]

thank you for the fast reply!! I'll have to go get a different audio cord then and will keep trying and yes I know I'll have to change settings. thanks again!

[@groupexman]

It’s so similar to a Soundesign model! I would have loved this model when I was a kid! I love it now lol

[@Khyree_Holmes]

I want this stereo!

[@sergioalexiscamacho]

I got the GXT 747 just for the turn table since I am collecting records, I got to say I love it!

[@marksmediatv7734]

Sounds like yall have a great selection of music up there in Jersey on the radio.

[@IntellivisionDudeGaming]

Back in the 80's i had a Emerson Stereo just about as big as that one but it was only single cassette. The cassette player had Feather Touch controls. It had the most sturdy cassette controls i ever owned.

[@HDXFH]

That is a 20 Watt per channel amp with 1% THD and uses a Split PSU supply

[@HighTreason610]

Aww, man, nice stereo! I have the old GXT-7000, one of the big woodgrained '70s type machines, I have since made a cabel to hook my PC up to the DIN socket at the back and I have no intention of ever replacing the system. If only the innards of mine were so simple. I had to disable the Auto-return on mine, must be a Sanyo thing. Old stereos FTW!

[@coondogtheman]

@Mrtechguy94 Quartz locked I think has to do with the radio tuner. it locks it in so you get excellent FM quality and no drift.

[@IAmNotAFunguy]

We have that same Stereo but the turntable is broken and the right tape deck sounds pretty bad. We also have that "stand" you mentioned with the glass door whch we keep lots of old tapes in.

[@theol1044]

Hi, I just came across a 'German' Siemens system (RS260) for 5€ that looks suspiciously similar (save for cosmetic differences). Esp. the turntable is exactly the same, only the headshell is different, it has a central screw that holds the (identical) cartridge. The tt even has the same red sticker at the bottom with the identical model no (4:55). In my case, the sticker also says "Made in Taiwan", maybe not visible in your video due to camera angle. The cassette drives seem to be essentially the same as well. The amp chip is STK 4152 II, a higher power version of STK 4132 II. Couldn't fetch the models of the other chips yet. However, the electronics are organized completely differently inside. For the most part, everything is on one big board that fills the complete bottom plate. Nowhere does it say "Made in Japan" on this system, though, nor any other "Made in" notice (except for the turntable). Mine looks a bit dull compared to your Sanyo, and lacks the cassette level meter. OTOH, it's remote controllable. Remote is missing, but maybe a universal one will do.

[@PinePowerLI]

OMG...My Mother had that very same stereo system in the 80s. Always preferred using it vs the Fisher one I had. I miss these systems though, as well as Kiss 98.7 which hadn't changed to ESPN. Back in those days I was always DX-ing & making recordings of all the FM stations I would get during Tropo & E-skip events. Reception seemed much better back then, the tuners were better but also there wasn't I-CRAP (IBOC).

[@laranaarana]

I used to do all my radio recording from Kiss 98.7 when I lived in San Francisco. It was a great station. I had all the stereos tuned to it when I worked at Radio Shack too!

[@LarryWaldbillig]

I had one too. A VERY nice little system. Wish I never got rid of it!

[@weasel2htm]

Deck A Seems to play a little fast, other than that, it seems to be a good little unit, does not seems to have any problems driving those RCA speakers. Oh and thank you for the beat cut info, I have seen that many times on units, but never on one I got new so I could not look in the owners manual.

[@lmull3]

i guess it goes to show that pop music was still about image even back then.

[@vwestlife]

@coondogtheman1234 Yes, that was WFAN.

[@westmcallister6685]

LOL I have the Sanyo JA 166 amplifier, RD 166 tape deck, JT 266 tuner and TP 266 turntable. All are in working condition and it has a pretty similar look to this one here. It's not like this one in the way put together - it's seperated components that you put in a stereo cabinet, does anyone understand what I am saying?

[@jorgepais2876]

I have all except the turntable. Someone here at Portugal is selling it on the net for 45 euros! Four times higher than the price that I gave for rest of the elements.

[@laranaarana]

Definitely understand you. I did the same thing when I started putting together my first stereo system from Radio Shack (where I worked).

[@DaniRadioCat]

6:24 Isn't that for normal or high bias cassettes?

[@vwestlife]

The beat cancel button has nothing to do with whether you're recording onto normal or high-bias tape. It works with both.

[@HamtaroEL]

Imagine 'Bias Mode' for Type I and Type II for record and 'Tape Select' for play. The newer Sanyo got most corrected including from Normal and Metal to Normal and Chrome.

[@Mrtechguy94]

It says "Quartz Locked" by the LED display. But does that mean that the turntable is quartz locked? Judging by the mechanism, it looks almost as cheap as that Soundesign that I used to have.

[@4BetaMale2]

0:40 Nothing personal, these type of all-in-one stereos were eyesores in 1980 something and they're still eye sores in 2021. It's like Las Vegas hotel room designer said how can we glitz up an all in one stereo? Give it a colored palette that makes you want to throw up.

[@coondogtheman]

Nice system I like that LED clock radio display tuner. 660 AM is that sports radio WFAN in New York?

[@HamtaroEL]

@vwestlife: Have you tried recording Metal bias cassettes with this recorder?

[@Lachlant1984]

I wonder if the reason why the tuner 'forgets' its presets is due to a flat battery on the circuit board, if not it could be a bad capacitor on the circuit board.

[@branhicks]

They usually use a super capacitor which tend to go bad

[@RudytheHawk14]

@vwestlife because my grandparents have 1 never been used how much could it go for

[@HDXFH]

Just picked up a teac unit same age as this, japanese made with C-Quam AM Stereo Tuner

[@grod75]

@vwestlife When you mentioned the tuner chip at around 4:18, the following came to my mind: my Onkyo stereo system has a separate AM/FM tuner unit, and for the last 5-8 years, I can't get it to work in the FM Stereo/Mute Mode, I always have to switch the mode to mono so that I can listen to and tune any stations... Besides, it also won't save the presets... Do you think that I should search for a defective tuner chip?

[@branhicks]

Probably a bad capacitor. The memory uses a super capacitor which also go bad

[@Samuel-gm7nj]

Thank you for this video. Pickdd up one at good will and it had the same problem

[@PRIZM_LOCK]

I have one that is in VERY good condition considering its age, how much is it worth you know? And everything still works great on it accept the volume switch makes a little crackling noise while sliding, other than that, everything works perfect on it...plus original speakers that came with it.

[@RudytheHawk14]

hello how much would this cost

[@ClactonRadio]

My mate had a system like that and it was quite good.

[@Jallge]

the writing on the two chips looks like left: L78M06 6B4 right: L78M15 6G1

[@distortedcreation]

hey there, i have the same exact stereo system, my friend gave it to me the other day but the turntable is missing its stylus, do you know which one i should purchase for it?

[@johneymute]

yeah hifi sets were looking cool and really hi-tech backthem.

[@michelgomes3510]

Quantos watts Rms tem esse som amigo?

[@digidude86]

whats the wattage on it?

[@CoolDudeClem]

So THAT's what a beat cut is for, thanks that's something that's been puzzling me for years. I guess it's pretty good for an average hifi, but I can see signs of cheapness showing especially in the turntable, I'm surpised it uses a magnetic pickup. The mid 80 is where build quality started to go downhill, most hifis from this time had ceramic pickups and a tiny crappy amp only abput 2 watts.

[@sveneriksson4405]

How to change cassette belt?

[@vwestlife]

This system uses a version of the common Tanashin mechanism. See Techmoan's video about repairing the triple-cassette boombox.

[@rodrigofdasilva]

hello, i just acquire one of these, in really mint condition, but I fell the bass is out. Even use the EQ the bass don’t come. The EQ works bumore low frequencies. This is a characteristic of this GXT or I have any problem? thanx! Cheers from Brasil!

[@vwestlife]

It should have plenty of bass. The EQ sliders probably have dirty contacts.

[@rodrigofdasilva]

@@vwestlife Thank you, I will try to clean.

[@HDXFH]

Taiwanese turntable, i picked up a standalone version of that similar unit, to go with the teac, has 12 VDC socket for the TT

[@Phatty057]

Looks like Star Trek TNG on the front of this one. ENGAGE!

[@vwestlife]

@RudytheHawk14 Not much. 1980s integrated stereos aren't particularly valuable these days.

[@kylepasichnyk5013]

So think i figured my turntable issue. the needle on the cartridge is all bent up and almost broken. Would you know of a trusted place to order a replacement one?

[@vwestlife]

Either eBay or amazon.com is fine.

[@WereWolfDan1991]

You can also try lpgear.com.

[@JawhnL5]

I picked one of these up yesterday along w/ matching speakers. The tuner seems to work good, and I have a new stylus coming for the turntable (old one was broken off!), but the cassette players don't seem to be working. The spindles don't move, with or without a tape in. Would this be a bad belt?

[@vwestlife]

Probably.

[@JawhnL5]

Alright, I'll check that out. Also, is it difficult to replace the turntable belt and adjust the speed on these?

[@vwestlife]

I've never had to replace the turntable belt on mine, but adjusting the speed is fairly easy. See my video on the Crosley Collegiate, as it's basically the same method to adjust the speed as that.

[@new_frontiersman9064]

I have a Sanyo system 580 I got free off of Craigslist. It's okay for the most part, I've cleaned it up and it works except for one speaker terminal will not work. I have switched out speakers, and used a different one too, but the one side still doesn't work. Any ideas on how to repair it?

[@vwestlife]

Does the headphone output play through both channels?

[@new_frontiersman9064]

VWestlife I'll have to get some and try them out. I don't think I have any laying around. Will let you know. Thanks.

[@new_frontiersman9064]

VWestlife looks like there is a bad 125V 4A fuse out. I will try and replace that and see how it does.

[@new_frontiersman9064]

Speaker channel fixed. This came with a turntable TP 580. It says on the net that it takes a ST-26J stylus, however, it does not look like it when comparing. The stylus is very worn out and needs a replacement. I am wondering if I should go ahead and try ordering an ST-26J or see if there is something else that might work?

[@EmanButtigieg]

I really enjoyed watching your video. That's one Sanyo you've got there. I owe a Sanyo stereo model DC-X 802. I believe it is from 1991. It can play LPs, Cassettes, CDs and an AM FM MW SW tuner. I have a problem on both the cassette decks though. Deck A is totally jammed along with the push switches. Deck B functions properly but when I press the play switch, it just pops back to the stop position. And when I hold the play switch down, there is a piece of mechanism which keeps bumping up and down. It's like something is holding it from playing the damn cassette. Can you please help ?

[@ethan043]

+Eman Buttigieg The cassette has bad belts.

[@rogerwillams2814]

i like it seems to be very well made surprised by the circutry there nice seperate amp looks good like it has some power cass deck has dolby nice stereo !

[@benlee9647]

I bought this one and I remember it came with a remote

[@douglasallen9428]

What's the tracking force of that stereo's turntable?

[@vwestlife]

About 5 grams.

[@douglasallen9428]

That's usually the appropriate tracking force for a ceramic cartridge - and not the kind associated with comparable magnetic styli, which should track at around 3 to 3 1/2 grams......

[@douglasallen9428]

Correction: around 3 to 5 grams...

[@douglasallen9428]

Correction: around 3 to 5 grams...

[@ModMokkaMatti]

Make it funky now!

[@andycristea]

Hello, VWestlife! Do you remember what mic/camera you used to record this video? I love the sound quality!

[@vwestlife]

I used my Canon FS200 with its built-in microphone.

[@andycristea]

Thanks for replying! Love your videos!

[@infinitecanadian]

Why would anyone use the FM mono if they could get FM stereo?

[@vwestlife]

Because mono is a lot less noisy on weak signals.

[@HamtaroEL]

@Joe Collins: Its Metal, not 70.

[@giammyzanna]

Nice stereo. Unfortunately the turntable is built-in and not an external unit.

[@douglasallen9428]

Where did you get this? I don't know if anyone else has asked you this before - if so, just making sure.....

[@vwestlife]

At a thrift store.

[@vwestlife]

@RudytheHawk14 Why do you ask?

[@AMDXplusplus]

chattanooga traffic radio station on 1620 am

[@PetruV]

@vwestlife not to much wattage

[@DEMA605]

here in brazil tem um pra vender igual a esse,to querendo comprar.

[@Aaronhouston33]

Space age stuff

[@caragroves7196]

my brother has got A Denon Twin cassette decks system

[@HDXFH]

The overused deck may need a head demagnetize

[@accordinglyryan]

thats big!

[@ourplesoop]

Hah the amount of empty space in those old all-in-one units is ludicrous.

[@hellraiserball]

cool,nice sound

[@clemsonbloke]

Shoulda played his song "After the Lovin" LOL!

[@gli7utubeo]

Actually made in Japan I would think.

[@claudiodean6363]

cool

[@MJAngelLove]

I heard Elton John Levon and I swear I thought I heard Josh Groban

[@AnaClaudia-pj1qk]

Lindo

[@sergiogregorio1579]

I have it for sale!

[@PetruV]

more like 100 200

[@lmull3]

god...Englebert's lyrics are awful and cheesy!

[@ThinkerOnTheBus]

3:12 I have a Sanyo model GXT848U, manufactured in 1988, which has a similar internal AM antenna, except instead of using a metal wire to anchor it in place, there are plastic screw pillars coming off the side of the side of the unit with a screw holding down a metal washer that is wider than the pillar, and they have the wire wrapped around those, and it is actually a single wire, not a ribbon. I just pulled it apart last night, my speakers started to cut in and out, and now have gone out completely. So, akin to a nearly blind man attempting to navigate an obstacle course, I am trying to diagnose where the problem lies exactly while simultaneously putting forth sufficient effort and determination to avoid having this become an exercise in futility!