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The last 3D is done!

isolator42 - 2009-04-03 07:15

Finally, I've finished restoring the last 3D that completes my collection.
Having acquired it way back in July 2007 it sat patiently in the garage, waiting for
it's TLC. Other than it's dead tape deck & the dirt, it was OK.
This one's auto-reverse deck was a bit more of a challenge than the usual simple
decks on the 3Ds. It had 3 belts, 2 of which needed replacing & then all was well-
ish. I should've paid more attention to the tape head switcher, as in one direction,
it plays both sides at once (the reverse side backwards, of course). It sounds quite
interesting, so I've left it for now...

Anyway, here's a few pics:



This thing has amongst the best sound that the 3Ds offer.
Good solid bass from that 6½" centre woofer, with the usual rolled edge & longer-
than-you-think throw.
The surround is variable with a slider & because it's fed to the two detachable
speakers, it's streets ahead of any surround on 3Ds which is fed to the left & right
speakers. Also there is a fun "mono source" pseudo-surround mode rather like the
"Hall" or "theatre" effects on a home cinema sound system. It totally mucks around
the sound, but a bit of fun nonetheless.
It's high power consumption figure of 80 watts (& the fact that it takers 10 D cells)
led me to believe that it might have lots more to give than a 3D7 or 3D8 (which are
rated at 22-25W & take 8 D cells), but no. It' wasn't significantly louder, but
that's no big criticism - the 3D7 & 3D8 aren't exactly short on volume.

The 3D70 (similar but without the extra surround speakers) & this 3D75 were part of
what I call the "second Generation" of 3Ds (along with the 3D5). These still had the
better build quality of the first generation 3Ds (3D2, 3D7, 3D8), but with some of
the straight lines starting to get curvy & some improved features (single volume
slider, proper aux-in, etc.). This makes them a good pick if you want a 3D for your
collection.
The 3D75, with those extra speakers, is surely the longest/widest boombox I own &
definitely one of the louder ones - which is what the 3Ds were all about.

The comparisons against 3Ds should always be with similarly *priced* offerings. 3D
money would get you a mid-size from Sharp et al. A decent 3D will walk all over
reasonable mid-size for volume & bass Smile

Anyway, when summer finally arrives in the UK (both days of it), I'll dust off the
entire 3D collection (19, I think), & get some half-decent shots. Then I shall bore
you all rigid with what must surely be one of the world most complete collections of
Hitachi 3D boomboxes Smile

fatdog - 2009-04-03 07:26

So, how many 3Ds do you have now, Iso?

redbenjoe - 2009-04-03 10:06

thanks , iso -for the continuous education --you are our only 3D link Smile
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"both days of it" Laugh Out Loud

skippy1969 - 2009-04-03 12:33

Very nice Iso! Big Grin

jlf - 2009-04-03 12:51

He has '19 I think'... Smile

Glad to see one of us sticking to a specific sub file with in the subject matter.

Very cool!

isolator42 - 2009-04-03 13:17

Gold star for JLF for paying attention right to the end.

Fatdog, see me after class Smile

Ira, yes, you were the driving force behind me finally getting on with this one...