GRUNDIG XPC 6500 TP (1979)
Music centers were very popular in Europe where most european manfacturers 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 units, 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 ultrsound 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 (1979)
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 more rare 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.
National Panasonic SG-6070 (1978)
Panasonic's SG-6070 "3 in 1" stereo was a top people's music center if ever there was one. It's got a Direct Drive turntable with LED stroboscope, a superb two motor logic controlled cassette deck which, of course, has a Dolby noise reduction system. The radio is a supremely sensitive 4 band stereo receiver with no less than six FM pre-set station controls. Like all the main controls on the SG 6070 these are sensor touch operated. It also has a digital timer which allows you to set the radio or cassette to come on at a pre-set time. Or to pre-set the cassette deck to record from the radio. Since it's well known that top people love power, the amplifier delivers a whopping 45 Watts RMS per channel. The SB-67 3-way loudspeaker system was available separately. Dimensions: 740x430x190 mm | Weight: 23 kg.