about Electrohome the company, some of it's select products (the 'Circa 75' line specifically), the design ethic of the Circa line, as well as some stats, photos, restoration images, and stories about this quest for information. I envision this space as a repository for information gathered by fellow Electrohome 'Circa 75' owners for those of us who may not know much about the product line, but who *WANT* to find out more. Perhaps there will eventually be a classifieds section for Electrohome Circa owners to post for sale and wanted ads. Hopefully this will take some of the frustration out of sourcing these rare and beautiful 1960's and 70's stereo systems, and finding out some information. Ideally, this would include bought and sold prices and the dates so that people looking to buy or sell can have some idea of what the pricing should be.
My 'Circa 75' model 703 (pictured below) in perfect working order, and in nearly pristine condition (9/10) was purchased for $1500 on 3/5/12. Hopefully it will be delivered within a few weeks and I can start a mild restoration and cleaning. Many thanks to The Good Mod for such a pleasant transaction, great communication, and for allowing me to use their really fantastic photos of my new 703! It's in great shape, everything works - but the guys at The Good Mod tell me that the speakers sound a bit 'muffled'. I'm no slouch with electronics, so if the drivers need new surrounds it shouldn't be a big deal. Some additional photos of the 703 below.
This is a AWESOME Stereo! With such a limited number made its going to be hard to find one. But I want one!
ReplyDeleteI just saw one last week and fell in love...What are they worth today and how many were made? Would appreciate any more info..seriously thinking about purchasing the one I saw..Thanks Jane
DeleteI just posted ..the one I saw had it's original speakers with it...I have been obsessed with it.for a week hope it's still there..Just wandering what I should pay??? Thanks again, Jane
ReplyDeleteJane - I had to pick up a pair of the original external satellite speakers off ebay - they're pretty cheaply made, but they sound better than the internal single speaker!
DeleteI paid 1500 for my Circa 703, but it is in nearly perfect cosmetic and mechanical condition - I had to unmount the turntable and clean and lube it, but it worked upon arrival as well. Mine was in Seattle at a mid century modern specialist dealer, so I paid more than I probably should have, but I had the itch... I have since seen one on CL in the Bay Area for $250, but it sold quite quickly as I recall, so deals ARE out there if you have patience. I didn't. How much are they asking for the one you've spotted? Does the changer work correctly? Bring some vinyl with you and go check it over well. Is the case scratched, do all of the controls work without static? Turn the bass and treble controls, try the stereo tuner and the volume control (called loudness on the Circa series). Does the tuner light work (should be a nice subdued green glow)? Any static in the speaker's sound? With the bass and treble both set to the center, the unit may sound muffled - this is due to the Astatic cartridge these originally came with. I found that the original cart sounded pretty good with the treble cranked up to 3/4 and the bass reduced to 1/4. Is the cartridge included with the TT? If any of the answers to these questions are no, then you have some points to haggle over. Deep scratches in the teak can be difficult to get to color match, but light scratches can be masked by applying a fresh coat of teak oil over the case, allowing it to penetrate, and then wiping it down with a soft cloth. You want to remove as much of the oil as possible after applying.
Let me know if you have any additional questions!
-Joe
Joe thanks so much for your response..I am going to see it today. The cabinet is in great shape. The turntable is dusty and would need some work. I am grateful for the information.. I would have bought it that day but my friend talked me out of it.Now I feel a little more confident in making an offer. Not sure how much they will take... I am hopeful it will be in my budget. I will let you know Joe..
ReplyDeleteWarm Regards, Jane..Hope it's still there..
Glad to help! Let me know what the outcome is!
DeleteHi Joe, I am back. Spent some time with the 703.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the pic of yours the one I looked at was more like the old advertising.The radio dial is the same as the ad. Red and green. This one also has the knob on the inside left corner as shown in the ad. As a matter of fact,the manager had the sale product book,unfortunately no manual.
To my disapointment the turntable wasn't working.The arm would not lower all the way to the record.
Nothing was working no sound. Inside the radio was dirty with evidence of a dead bug or two. The manager was patient and kind and showed great interest in helping. It was displayed and even while I was a customer tried to force the arm down. The manager infromed me that it came from an estate..She picked it up and it was working all lights and sounds turntable did fine.The needle wasn't there any longer. The price was reasonable if it was working. The knob controlling the speakers balance etc. seemed to be stripped, at some point while turning it I could hear some speaker noise. The cabinet had two scratches on the front right, but looked minor.I would rate it an eight out of ten.
It looks like my love affair may be over. I have the passion for this project, I have no knowledge of electronics. It is quite the piece. I left my contact info with her. Should she decide to lower the price. The price is 600.00.. I love it but it would just be a fine piece of furniture.. I would consider that a tragedy. I would love to see and hear it restored. There were two external speakers with it. Any ideas on it..Thanks, Jane
Joe, This one is the 701 model..Love it ..
ReplyDeleteThis isn't in Palm Springs by any chance, is it? I know there is a Circa 701 in a shop there...
DeleteNo..I am on the west coast of Florida.. The nature coast..
DeleteJane -
ReplyDeleteWas the TT turning? The manager picked it up and it was working, now its not? Sounds like the TT internals may have taken a good jogling around in transit. Did the radio work at all? There are a series of pushbuttons next to the turntable below the tambour doors - these are speaker selection buttons. If the internal speaker is not selected and the external speakers are not connected properly, you will get no sound. On mine, the internal speaker selection button has to be in the up position for the internal speaker to function. You push the button down to turn the speaker off for use with the satellite speakers - it's odd, I know. So what happened to the cartridge from the time the stereo was picked up working to the time you are looking at it?
The arm may not be lowering because the cueing mechanism is engaged. There is a small lever on the right side of the tonearm - you can see it just below the white 'Dual' badge on the TT in the photo of the TT above. The cue control allows you to safely and slowly lift and lower the tonearm onto a record without damaging the vinyl or the stylus. In any case, if the cue control is up, the tonearm will not contact the record and trying to force it down may damage the tonearm.
So, it sounds as if the problems *may* be minimal and not electronic. Making sure the amplifier works would be the most important thing. I should scan my owner's "manual" and post it up at some point - it's minimal for sure, but it may be helpful. Do you know anyone with knowledge of vintage electronics that you could get to go by the store with you?
Joe-
ReplyDeleteThe turn table was turning.Everything was working even after it was displayed in the store. I agree with you I think the problems are minimal.The problem is so many people are tampering with it. I suggested she put a sign "Ask for Assistance". I bet you are right. The speaker buttons. I live in a small town. The stereo is in a thrift store. Despite the managers willingness to help,it is not a priority.
I will try and find someone to go with me. Might be tough. I am on a farm and most of my friends are four-legged. I have a son who is very good with electronics. He has "Asperger's Syndrome"..so it's the patience
he lacks. Also the manager is anxious when I am trying to see what the problem is. I will let you know what happens. Thanks again for your help.
Jane
Joe-
ReplyDeleteIf you know of anyone who wants this let me know. I would love to have it. Not in the cards.I would like to see someone get it who appreciates it. Let me know if you are anyone can rescue it..Jane..
I hope you don't mind I shared this on my facebook. Maybe find someone who knows vintage electronics.. Hoping the manager will lower the price or make a deal...Jane Place..
ReplyDeleteThe model is 703..sorry
ReplyDeleteJust bought a Circa 75. Thanks for sharing the blog! Pete
ReplyDeletePete - that is fantastic! If you would like to share photos, shoot me an email with image tags or just point me to the images and I can insert the image tags in the "Other Peoples' Circas" section (currently empty). Very cool!
ReplyDeleteDoes your Circa 75 have the two-tone red/black amplifier (tuner) faces or is it all silver? What turntable came with it and is it original? What cartridge model - is it original? Everything work well? Could I also ask you how much you paid for your Circa 75? I'd like to post a database of what people have paid in different parts of the country and worldwide as a guide to people looking for a used 'home to buy. Let me know, and have fun getting to know your cool new vinyl player!
I'd be happy to send some pics. once I get home i'll e-mail you some photos. The turntable is a Garrard. Amp is red and black. The mechanics of the turntable work. But I think I need a new needle. Honestly, since buying the piece I haven't had a chance to do much with it. there seems to be slight sound when tuning to the radio, but not picking anything up yet. Once ITinker with it i'll let you know how it turns out. I'll also let you know what I paid in my email. it's a story you'll find interesting i'm sure. Pete
ReplyDeleteFYI This stereo MUST be used with the 360 degree satellite speakers, as the built in speaker is essentially a bass speaker only. Think of it as an early version of a sub-woofer. I also have a Circa 703 in working condition. And I happen to have the super rare stereo sound chair that connects to it as well. The chair is in near mint condition and sounds awesome in combination with the rest of the system. For it's day it was a real lust item, but cost as much as a car so my parents would not pop for one back then. Thankfully, I found on in Vancouver B.C at a vintage store called Metropolitan Home. (Thanks Mary!) I also happen to have a Circa 701 in fully operational condition. The design of these pieces is what attracted me, as well as the fact that they are decent vintage audio and proudly Canadian. Rock on Electrohome!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Wes
Thanks for the patents Wes - I'm going to share them in a separate post. I did manage to find a pair of the 360 degree speakers, but I was not impressed by the cardboard enclosures. I'm going to hook it up to a pair of Bose 901's and see what kind of sound I can get. Interestingly, the pair of round speakers I found didn't have rca jacks, and the wire has 3 conductors - any ideas about this?
ReplyDeleteHi Joe,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to call your attention to a 75 on ebay. Decription and photos still up as of today.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-ELECTROHOME-STEREO-with-TURNTABLE-Console-Mad-Men-Teak-Retro-Eames-/261152441440?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3ccde60460&nma=true&si=D0BPvWIo9h2lCDbc3GQVWKXvZBI%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
May glean more info for you. I am an owner of one of these and came across your blog today. Mine is in storage but once it sees daylight again I will help contribute to the knowledge base. Cheers, Dave S.
I just took a closer look at the ebay pictures, the catalogue the person has could be a treasure trove of detail considering the shot of the one page he shows....almost looks like 4 variants of the model from how I read it. Cheers, Dave S.
ReplyDeleteDave - yes, I had seen this, and I would love to get ahold of that catalog image, but I can't find that one. As for different versions, I haven't been able to locate much in the way of info on that either. I know there were at least two different receivers used - the silver/black one like mine and the half-red face like the one that was recently on ebay. The turntables also seem to vary - mine has a lower end Dual unit which is absolutely fine for this stereo, but others have lower-end Gerrard TT's. I'm not sure this has to do with different versions, or the progression of the 703 through the years, and what parts they could source for the lowest price?
ReplyDeleteI currently own the 701 in Teak and the 703 in Walnut and along with the 701 I have the operating instructions for the DUAL 1209 turntable if anyone needs the info. I have the operating instructions for the ENVIRONMENT I stereo reverb unit. I have the small blue Electrohome booklet that looks like it goes with the 701 although it talks about the 702 and 703. I have an early Electrohome sale booklet showing all the 700 series stereos (and there are some even funkier ones) along with the 50's cabinets style ones.
ReplyDeleteI just published the previous post about my 701 and 703.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention that the back of the sales booklet it breaks down what each 700 series stereo came with - chassis, amplifier, controls, changers, cartridge, antenna, speakers, input/output jacks & cabinets in written form and chart form.
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ReplyDeleteI just picked up a 701 series in walnut from a local mid century store here in Alberta. I am in love! It is in really great condition plays records and sounds great. I do have to fiddle with the satellite speaker selector switch sometimes it seems to be the cause of some static on the individual right or left speakers, I'm not sure if the 703 has the same type of satellite speaker selector but the function as far as I can tell is to cut the sound to the main unit speaker and send it to the satellite speaker instead... There is also a button to push to cut out the sound to both speakers ( for the life of me I do not know why there would be such a button... Seems like trouble to me ). But that's just a minor thing, I am thinking in the future if it gets worse I can just re- wire and bypass those switches altogether. I truly love the design of the circa 75 series, I'm pretty proud of the made in Canada labels all over the bottom of the unit too, It's cool that the person that made my 701 signed the bottom I would imagine he would be happy that something he hand crafted has found it's way into another generation and will be listened to and cared for by someone who can appreciate the work that went into making it..... I wonder if he ever thought it would still be spinning vinyl in 2013.
ReplyDeleteBelow is a link to my Flickr photos of my 701. Anyone have any insight to what year it may have been made? I've noticed other 701s with a rectangle tuner would those have been made earlier than my circle tuner?
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/97930327@N06/9224209032/
Thanks for reading.
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ReplyDeleteDO NOT POST YOUR FOR SALE ADS HERE, they will be deleted. If you would like to advertise your Circa for sale, you can do so in the proper section of this site. You MUST email me at least 2 good photos of the Circa you wish to sell (one of the receiver/turntable section) and one of the casework (outside wood). You must also provide a written description that indicates the working order of: the receiver, the turntable, and the speaker(s), whether a cartridge is included or not, and all known issues. Also include the city in which you live, and whether you are willing to ship or not. An asking price is FIRMLY required. All posts not meeting these criteria will be deleted. When you send me the required doccs, I will post your ad after review in the proper section of the site (Classifieds).
ReplyDeleteFor all of you other people that have E'home Circas, I'd love to post some photos of your units - shoot me an email!!!
I just picked up a circa 75 703 that was originally purchased in 1970. It has the Dual TT and the green radio dial. Everything seems to work alright though I have to give the TT a little spin to get it started turning. Also the cables that connect the Dual to the amp need to be nudged sometimes or they buzz/ cut out. I would love to hear what you ended up doing with your stylus and what kind of speakers you chose to go with your 703. I also want to use some better speaker wire for the satellite speakers and solder some RCA plugs on one end. The cables I found at radio shack are kind of thin but I wanted to make sure the jacks were working before investing too much time and money on cables. Thanks for starting this blog. Lots of great info here! eric furlong
ReplyDeleteI also got the original owners manual and schematics if anyone needs them. I can scan and post
ReplyDeleteI would be so pleased to get a copy of the manual and schematics.
DeleteI have a unit that's been in storage for 25 years, and I want to get it up and running. If you could scan the documents, I would be grateful.
Hey Lynda, did you ever get the owner's manual copied? Would love to see it...I have the manual for the record player, but would like to read up on how the whole unit works
ReplyDeleteI just saw one at a garage sale. Everything powers on. Turntable needs a stylus. The color is black. I didn't look to see if it had been painted. I'm just here for the first time, doing research on it. Circa 75 is definitely on the inside as the model. I bet I could purchase it for $20. They are just trying to get rid of everything.
ReplyDeleteWHAT!!! Go back and snap it up! Removing the paint might be a bit of a PITA, but $20 - grab it!
DeleteI have the sound chair! Untested. Any ideas on scarcity & values? How might i post pictures? TIA
ReplyDeleteMy client has one for sale in Virginia. Contact me if you are serious about purchasing. pattiharris9@gmail.com
ReplyDelete