Lo-D Jewel Jr. (1979) - Aka. Hitachi ACT-M2

In 1979 Lo-D (brand name used by Hitachi on Japanese market) introduced a series of mini Hi-Fi components named Jewel. The model presented here was sold on the Japanese market as Lo-D Jewel Jr. while the same component was sold worldwide (slightly upgraded) as Hitachi ACT-M2. The basic system consisted of the HSR-M1 (15W/ch tuner-amplifier), D-M1 cassette deck (30-15000 Hz FeCr tape) and HS-M1 (2-way speaker system, 12cm woofer, 5cm tweeter). These components can be operated from mains or a 12V car battery. Various placement of the components was possible, either as standalone components or on dedicated racks such as the LA-M1 or the LA-M1P. For transportation, the LA-M1C(B) suitcase was available in both sillver and black finish, with or without storage compartiment. For a complete mini home Hi-Fi system, a series of additional components were available. These were the HT-10FM (FM "wireless"!!! turntable), HT-6M (turntable for the Hitachi version), C13-300 TV set, TTM-M1 TV tuner, ET-250 timer unit and various microphones and headphones.

More Classic Mini

harman/kardon 700 Series (1980) - High Technology Components

These midi-sized slim-line Hi-Fi components were built around the Ultrawideband, negative feedback design amplifier technology (U.S. Patent#4,176,323) promoted by harman/kardon. With amplifiers designed by Dr. Matti Otala this system had the following components:

BASIC SET:

hk710 - analog tuner, phase locked

hk750 - integrated amplifier, 45W/ch

hk740 - stereo receiver, 30W/ch, analog tuner

HIGH TECHNOLOGY:

hk715 - digital tuner, 8 presets

hk725 - preamplifier, push-button tone control for cleanest sound

hk770 - stereo power amplifier, twin power supply, 65W/ch

hk775 - mono power amplifier, toroidal power transformer, 130W 

EXTRA COMPONENTS:

hk705 - cassette deck, 20-19,000Hz (Metal), Dolby HX headroom extension

hk720 - turntable, 2-speed, semi-automatic, belt drive

EQ700P - graphic equalizer, 2x10 band

These beautifully designed components all have the same size: 385x72.5x320mm.

Components from this system were also featured in the movie American Psycho.

These components were actually built by Shin-Shirasuna Electric Corporation of Japan who also sold these components under their brand name SILVER as the Series 5000 components.

FISHER MT-6360 (1980) - Micro Processor Controlled

The MT-6360 "programmable, full automatic, infrared remote control" turntable was introduced by Fisher in 1980. It is actually a rebranded Sanyo TP 880, Fisher being a Sanyo brand by this time. It is not really programmable, but it does have an infrared sensor next to the cartridge which can "read tracks" on the vinyl allowing you to select a track you want to listen. This can also be achieved with the use of the supplied remote control. Technically the turntable features a DC Servo Direct Drive motor, strobe light for speed adjustment and the tonearm came factory equipped with a Audio Technica MG-S100 cartridge. (Wow and Flutter is 0.035% and rumble is -70dB). The was sold both as a separate unit but also as part of various Hi-Fi system. When sold separately it was named MT-6360 and it came with it's own remote. When it was sold as part of the Fisher 9000 System it was called the MT-9000 and it was intended to be remote controlled through the CB-9000 control center of the system and its M-9000 full system remote control. Size of the unit is 440x135x385 mm, weight is 8.2 kg and it was originally sold for 798 DM in Germany.