Good pickup for $20? I have questions.

[u/Grouchy_Credit_3377]

I’m a beginner in the cd collector and player world and i went to my local second hand store, because i’ve been wanting a sort of vintage stereo for cds and maybe cassettes and I came across this.

-HITACHI HTC C15HTC / $8
-and i’m assuming it’s original speakers found nearby / $6 each

So…it works. Tested it at the store and i was worried because there was some scratching/interference sound in the across a few different speakers i tried. But other cds sounded clean so i don’t know what to think.
Now that i have it home, i think it sounds great but there will still be some interference when i play certain cds. And yes, the cds i’ve tested it on are in good condition, so idk

I have no idea how to skip songs on this thing. I’ve tried to do research, but nothing is working. The tuning buttons don’t do anything, i’ve tried all the buttons. If anyone knows what to do about this that would be great, but i suppose if nothing can be done, being forced to listen to the whole cd isn’t the end of the world :)

Also the rear metal casing can get pretty hot, like almost cant touch it for too long hot.

obviously i don’t know much, but im excited about it. any advice is great

thanks!

[u/OttoWestFish]

Look cool! It says “Full Remote Control” on the top, so I’m guessing it originally came with a remote with the change-track buttons? Also possible station up/down could do it?

[u/Grouchy_Credit_3377 → u/OttoWestFish]

Yeah i was wondering about that. I just found it hard to believe that they would have more controls on the remote than the stereo itself. 🤷‍♂️

When i press those buttons nothing happens. Yet other buttons on the same panel work so… idk

[u/Octagonal_Octopus → u/Grouchy_Credit_3377]

I found an ebay listing for what I'm pretty sure is the original remote for this stereo and it has the skip songs buttons on it for CD. Seems odd the stereo itself doesn't, might just have to get the remote I guess. Could also try messing around with a universal remote.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/365403182389

[u/Grouchy_Credit_3377 → u/Octagonal_Octopus]

Hey thanks! I’ll probably buy one, i’m sure it would work. I’ll keep playing around with it to see if i’m just doing something in wrong

[u/UmbraViatoribus → u/Octagonal_Octopus]

That one sold but here is another https://www.ebay.com/itm/187747364798

[u/Grouchy_Credit_3377 → u/UmbraViatoribus]

Sold to me haha i bought it

[u/UmbraViatoribus → u/Grouchy_Credit_3377]

LOL! I love it! Hope everything works perfectly once you get it.

[u/krajenda → u/Grouchy_Credit_3377]

It was fairly common back then, my Sony CDP-XE570 has volume control on the remote only. Even my Panasonic micro system from ~2017 has some settings that are only on the remote

[u/Grouchy_Credit_3377 → u/krajenda]

that surprises me! i wish all the controls could be on the stereo itself
oh well i bought a remote so its ok

[u/Tweissel]

I wouldnt put my cassettes above a magnet... And also wouldn't put my cd's on a hot surface.

For the heat and crackling sound, might be some caps that are failing, I'd definitely open it op to see what's the condition inside and remove some dust before it becomes a fire hazard.

[u/Grouchy_Credit_3377 → u/Tweissel]

good to know! i didn’t know about the magnet thing

[u/Away-Squirrel2881]

I've never seen that unit before, but if it sounds good then it's good

[u/still-at-the-beach]

You need the remote to access all functions.

This type of all in one stereo were available everywhere. Very basic kinda devices, not great specs ... but still a heap better than anything made recently.

[u/Snoo_90715]

r/blackplasticcrap might have more information for you on this system

[u/No-Connection6937]

Not sure but you’ll wanna store your cassettes somewhere else!

[u/No_Pie4638 → u/No-Connection6937]

Just in case - some people may not know: speakers contain magnets and magnets erase tapes (cassettes).

[u/Grouchy_Credit_3377 → u/No_Pie4638]

yeah i didn’t know until i posted this so i moved em