R.I.P to my Toshiba Boston stereo...

not mine, but a stock photo courtesy of google

I bought my Toshiba Boston console stereo back in 2012 -paid $125 for it through an estate sale. 1974 model, as I recall. Well, the thing finally went toes up this morning- the on/off toggle switch broke, and I'm figuring it would be more expensive to get the damn thing fixed than to buy new gear...so now I need to buy a new receiver and speakers. Especially since we run our computer with all of our TV shows, movies, music on it through the stereo, plus, of course, my turntable.

Was looking at the Sherwood RX-4208 model receiver, 'cos it's got the phono inputs in the back for my turntable (Sony). Been as its a short notice -emergency!- purchase, we're on a budget, I don't want to have to spend over $400 for the receiver and new speakers.

Suggestions? Advice?

 

It would be a shame to abandon a classic piece that you like just because of a broken toggle switch. I can't find any hard info on that model, but I saw an indication that it is a three position toggle switch. Those are less common these days but they are available. Most are around $25-$30 for one piece, but here is one under $6 that I think would work. This would replace the existing switch, so your Toshiba wouldn't look exactly the same but this switch should function the same as the original. A plain off/on switch is easily available for less.
https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bender-GSW-16-Heavy-Duty-Replacement/dp/B00004WLKA

Replacing the switch would be simple for any technician who can use a screwdriver and soldering iron and maybe a file or drill, and it should be a house call. The problem is there are no "TV-Radio Repair Shop"s anymore. Ask at your local office supply store or big box electronics computer repair desk, and computer repair shop, if any computer technician there knows how to solder and would come to you and replace the switch. Off the books, I don't know how much one might charge you, but $50-$100 would be reasonable I think. Less than one hour work, most of that taking the amplifier chassis out then replacing it.

A 1974 unit will develop more problems in time. But I would not abandon it just because of this switch.

 

Cheers for that info, John. Thing is, given the stereo's age even without the on/off switch going kerflooie it's probably inevitable that the system would crap out eventually. Not only that, but once the original turntable on it died and I bought my new Sony turntable to hook up to it I would have to crank the Sony just to hear the record playing- no phono pre amp, y'see. So I need a new receiver with one of those; I know they sell portable phono pre amps for about fourty bucks (a company called Pyle seems to make the majority of them) but talking about it with the missus tonight we both decided that buying brand near gear is the best way to go (she was adamant- "No more second hand!"). Typical married household: I want a new stereo, she wants a new washing machine We'll get both, of course...

 

Aw. I just googled and came up with Sterling Electronic Parts in your area, they have a retail store and this simpler website:
Sterling Electronics
They should have a switch in stock and someone there should be experienced and willing to fix it, and probably willing to make a house call or can refer you to someone.

Pyle is usually considered a low brand like Crosley, but they make a few better things for commercial use. It might work but most everyone likes the Art Pro preamp which is about $50, and is respectable audiophile quality.
ARTDJ Pre II Phono Preamplifier

Beyond this there are a million choices for receivers and amps, as you know!

 

Do not just throw it out though. Even if it needs work, someone would love to buy it and repair it.
About the Sherwood - some of their receivers get pretty bad reviews. Do your homework first.

The thing about second hand receivers though - If it is a quality brand and still works, it will probably outlast a brand new one that is junk to begin with.
I have a JVC RX 507V receiver i bought at thrift for $10. the surround does not work (but I never would use it anyway) and it needed minor reconditioning but been using it for years.

 

Well, if nothing else should I need a new cartridge or stylus for my turntable, Sterling would probably have it

I just checked some reviews. The RX-4208 seems to be well regarded, decent quality for the price, that kinda thing. Good enough for me...

I have no intention of getting rid of my old Toshiba console. For one thing, it makes a good TV stand for our 42" TV, not to mention being a bit of a conversation piece in itself! I've gotten a few "Wow! Where'd you find that?!" comments since I bought the thing.

See, that was my argument when the wife and I were talking it over tonight- I like vintage gear 'cos they don't make anything like they used to IMO. My local record store sells old stereo gear in addition to vinyl and whatnot, so I popped in there yesterday morning...but even there I'd be spending at least $300 on a receiver and speakers. That said, I didn't like any of the speakers they had. That's when my wife said "Buy it new, not used." So most likely once the wife and kids are off to work and school this morning I'll be bopping over to Visions -since they have the best prices right now- and buying the Sherwood receiver and some speakers. Gotta do it fast, since we can't watch anything on our computer without sound- gawd forbid the wife and kids have to suffer with...regular cable TV for a few days

And that's another thing...at least up here in Edmonton, there sure aren't as many home electronic retail stores as there used to be! You got Visions, you got Best Buy, you got The Source...and that's about it. About half as many as there used to be even ten years ago.

 

Get rid of the dark paneling and shag rugs while you are at it. 1974, sheesh...

 

Yeah avoid the Sherwood!! Joking to one side, whilst I can't Vouch for this Model and having owned two Sherwood Receivers back in the day I'd still pont you elsewhere, esp for that kind of money.



I would say you'd get a better sound from another brand, I mean I enjoyed both my Sherwood Receivers and for the money they was OK? If a tad bright.. certainly punchy, but little to no finesse..

But times change, so maybe they sound a bit more refined nowadays.. still not a lot of Inputs tbh(well for me) and possibly for you ..least future proofing wise.

atb



Though IF you are sticking with Sherwood, well cheaper Models can be had.



Denon used to do some Nice Kit, this looks fully loaded.. though How Good?

 

105 watts per channel and 19.5 lbs soaking wet on the Sherwood. Unless a Class D design, which I believe it is not, I'd pass. That receiver is a paper weight. You'd be going down in quality from what you are used to.

Keeping an old stereo you have no intention of repairing sounds like hoarding man. Fix or cut and go.

My recommendation for someone who is intent on purchasing new is to delay the purchase, and save your money for a better future. That is if you care about what you put in your ears!

 

I need new speakers, unfortunately. The speaker connections aren't just bare cables of the the sort I could hook up to any old amplifier/receiver, the attachment ends are plastic that plug right in to the back of the Toshiba console. Too bad, 'cos those speakers kick some serious keister. Oh well...

This time last year when we were house hunting one of the houses we looked at had the old wood paneling in the basement. My wife put the kibosh on that one right quick!

Well, it'll still suffice as a TV stand for the time being...beyond that eventually I'll get rid of it, sell it on Kijji or something.

Alas, I don't really have that option. Essentially right now our home entertainment system has no sound. That needs to be rectified immediately. Obviously, if it were up to me I'd be saying "Money is no object!" Unfortunately my other half thinks otherwise...

 

Is it two wires? Din plug? Just cut the wires inch or so before plastic plug.

 

No, it's not two wires...that would be too easy, wouldn't it?

 

I found this Australia antique shop, specializing in vintage audio, web page has a few larger pictures of this Toshiba model. Très cool! It sold in March 2015, apparently they had it on display to sell for less than a month. It was $395 AUD, or at today's online conversion rate, $299 USD, or $385 CAD. Halfway down this page, 4 pictures:

multisonics: Some Charming New Faces. Rolls Stereo 50, Toshiba Boston and a Pretty Pye.

 

Here’s a fix if you are comfortable opening up the Toshiba. You’ll need a power strip with an ON/OFF switch, a short piece of wire (20 gauge will do), a soldering iron and some solder.

MAKE SURE THE TOSHIBA IS UNPLUGGED FROM THE AC WALL OUTLET!
MAKE SURE THE TOSHIBA IS UNPLUGGED FROM THE AC WALL OUTLET!
MAKE SURE THE TOSHIBA IS UNPLUGGED FROM THE AC WALL OUTLET!

Open the Toshiba. Locate the POWER toggle switch, it should have two terminals on the back (SPST). Solder a short piece of wire across the two terminals on the back of the POWER toggle switch (do not remove the two wires that are currently soldered to the two terminals). This will result in the unit permanently being in the “POWERED - ON” position. Now plug the unit’s AC cord into a power strip that has an ON/OFF switch. Use the power switch on the power strip to turn the unit on and off. Enjoy!

(An alternate method would be to disconnect the two wires that are attached to the back of the SPST POWER toggle switch, solder them together, then properly insulate them. Finally, put the Toshiba back together, plug the Toshiba’s AC cord into a Power Strip with an ON/OFF switch and use the power strip to turn the Toshiba on or off. Either method will work.)

 

I would try to get it fixed..some great ideas above!

 

Here is a very decent receiver for sale in the classifieds:

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/cambridge-topaz-sr-10-receiver.715593/

Pair that with some decent speakers if you don't want to go the repair route. Right now Music Direct has a bunch of speakers on sale. Not sure what the similar shop in Canada might be.

Between the receiver, speakers, and speaker stands you may go over budget a little but it is possible to put something together for under $500.

 

Wow, that is a nice console.

Wish you were closer, I'd buy it!


The speakers you can use with any receiver/amp/integrated. So if you like them, will be easy to convert to binding posts so you can connect to anything you want.

 

I'd get yours fixed but if you want a new receiver I'd look at the Outlaw that was reviewed in last month's Stereophile, there is also a thread about it somewhere on SHF. It is supposed to have an excellent phono stage built in.

 

Making them suffer regular cable?
You would be labeled the worst father/husband in Canada.

They would REALLY hate my house. I have only antenna, digital to analog converter box, and an old 1989 Mitsubishi boob tube TV.

 

Sorry to hear of your loss to a good old soldier.

 

RIP.


Good luck with your next gear.

 

That thing is gigantic. Looks like it could be re-purposed into a bed.

Anyway, look into vintage top-of-the-line Pioneer SX- models for receivers; and HPM-100 or (a lesser, but cheaper option) CS- model speakers.

 

All of the turntables Sony current sells have a built-in pre-amp. You just need to turn it on. Make sure the "Phono/Line" switch on the back is set to "Line".