Found a diamond in the rough, the only BBX I saw all day at the Vintage Voltage Expo. This year, I didn't buy much (didn't sell much either... ), but I did look over a booth across from ours, and spotted a little gem of a box, an early Sony CF-580.



Believe it or not, everything works, which is amazing, after a thorough cleaning, this solid little unit kicks out the jams! I shined her all up, soaked her in DeOxit, and tested out my new camera, Nikon P5100, and man, it's takes some nice shots! All the steel and stainless steel doesn't hurt either.

The tuner works well and has a cool feature that's called ISS, tunes in and holds the station that you're searching for. Warm sound, like an Aiwa. The 3rd and 4th speakers shoot out the side of the unit.

The only real problem is that the cassette will only play when in Fe-Cr quality select mode, otherwise, the normal or Cr 02 settings both cause a dramatic, loud humming. Not sure what that's all about. At first it wouldn't play cassettes without the hum, but I demaged the head and it does sound great on the Fe-Cr setting. I hooked it up to my JVC 656 and tested out the lines in and out. Man, this thing is HEAVY! Freaking loud for it's size also. I got crazy with the camera... what a sweet little box, and I'm thrilled to add box #12 to my stable! enjoy.

SONY CF-580

Slideshow:
http://img179.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img...9/1207086461et0.smil

Man, that's a nice looker! I like the shot with the blue neon ring reflecting in the dial window.

I'm not a real big Sony fan. But I really like that one,nice catch Dave!

That is real nice unit looks awesome,these are built to last.

really great shot , daiwa -- you made that box look very grand

That's one tank of a small/mid box, congrats on your find.

I just need another antenna to make mine complete but it's not as nice as yours.

They don't build them like that anymore. Great find D.!

Christ, that's gorgeous!

It sickens me to think I actually passed up a Sony like that one a while back at the bootsale.

Nice find!

Thanks everyone! Yeah, R.A., the more I listen and look, the more I like this cool, "gorgeous" little fellow. I listened to her much of yesterday in my office - Sony quality throughout!

You'd be right Olskool, jimski, the build on this is incredible, I mean it's gotta be late 70's (...might I bother you for a "spot" of info here Jens, like when it came out? Seems to me like it must be early BBx technology ) and it still performs at a very high level! What else in your house is nearly 30 years old and still performs 100%? (no comments about wives here boys... )

MasterB, mine has a replacement antenna on the left side, so if we can find a parts deck, let's split the antennas... eyes peeled!

After doing a search, I found some old posts where Beatlesfire mentions the "1976 Sony CF-580". So where would this box stand in the history of BBX development? Pretty dang early as far as I can tell. Also, Frank enlightens that the ISS stands for "Interference Suppress Switch". This is a great feature, along with the tuning level meter!

Great little unit...I lknow from experience.

BUT DAVE!!!!!! What a gorgeous pix from that Nikon. Absolutely stunning photo, the color, texture, angle....best I've seen.

You should post on Pixdaus.

I have never heard one but from what everyone says they have a great sound for the size of them

Nice pickup!!

Dave, she's a true beauty. Reaally like it. great pic too. In looking at those grills, I can't help being reminded of those drive-in speakers we used to hang on our car windows. That, or those wonderful vintage microphones used in studios and on concert stages. (My work p.c. won't allow me to post a web pic of one via tinypic,etc. ) EJ congrats on your 5000th post bro

That's a fine looking Sony, looks a lot like an early Aiwa with curves.

quote:

MasterB, mine has a replacement antenna on the left side, so if we can find a parts deck, let's split the antennas... eyes peeled!

That's a plan Daiwa, I'm always on the lookout. It's such a cool, unique and quality little box that I want to hang on to it.

Cool MasterB. It does scream quality. I used to be a big Sony guy until I started getting into a wider selection of older midrange gear. This is really a great example of BBX development, yes, very unique.

Yeah, Fuzzy, it does remind me of Aiwa a bit. Thanks Fuzz. The grills and the Stanless steel make this box very handsome.

Thanks for the pic props there UE, but I must say, this camera does it all, really easy to use. Here's a link - I loved my first digital Nikon, but it's getting a bit dated. Hit the "explore" button below the camera pics when you get there.

I highly recommend this seller, Beach Camera. I had a bad experience with another online camera store "stop4camera", AVOID them like the PLAGUE!, but this Beach Camera took my order, didn't try to sell me a bunch of pricey accessories, and I had the free shipping option delivered in four days!

Nikon P5100 - Hit "explore"

proving once again --
that there is only ONE Daiwa --
here lies the evidence ::

a few days after daiwa blessed us with his mighty cool 580 shot --this same model ended on ebay--so its now here --

and i am thanking you guys for the accurate hype --as it is 'like a tank' and sounds kind good and is a serious looker --

so --my best attemps to wipe daiwa got all fubar -
-next to the screen ,on my go-cart and my patio-

but it sure is a nice box-
thanks, daiwa

quote:

Originally posted by skippy1969:
I'm not a real big Sony fan. But I really like that one,nice catch Dave!

No a big sony fan either,i have the 570,cool box,like ur's better! Nice score Dave!

Nice one Ira. Glad you found one of these little beauties. When I first saw mine at the Vintage Voltage show, it was dirty and not working right. I didn't realize at the time, but man, with all that chrome, they really clean up well, and the 4 way sound is solid. Enjoy!

daiwa -- this is the only box that still looks great --

when its filthy