Check out the awe in the kids faces.
| jaxon & jakob perich - 2013 | 
Searching for old electronic stuff had dwindled.
Not from lack of interest,
more from necessity.
As of last week it seemed like 4 complete stereo systems was enough.
After using the wifes blue-ball-ic ipod charger/player down at the yard,
a new quest had begun.
All I needed was a lo-fi system to use with some bookshelf speakers.
| kenwood kr-2400 receiver | 
On craigslist everyone wants $50-80 for a $20 stereo.
A couple weeks ago I found a $20 60's kenwood tk-140,
and it was a bust.
Then this little jewel was posted up,
and after a few messages and emails the guy finally replied.
|  | 
| kenwood kr-2400 | 
Here's a tip -
never go barefoot to a craigslist seller's house.
The guy was super nice and a deadhead/rocker,
but he had the typical single older dude house.
This little receiver was rescued from his sticky kitchen.
Thankfully he didn't have a dog or cat,
but I'm still not sure why his floor was so wet.
He had it hooked up and it sounded clean and equal...
the deal was struck.
| kenwood kr-2400 nudie | 
As soon as it arrived at the house I had to wipe it down.
The stickiness carried the pungent smokey sent.
Lucky that the inside was pristine.
A couple minutes later and it was a new machine,
no scratchiness and all the lights worked.
Score!
| technics SL-1401 turntable | 
At 17 watts per channel,
this was made to push little speakers.
For some reason I thought of my stashed turntable,
and all of a sudden it turned into a bitchin little tabletop player.
| amazing | 
The kids were seriously amazed at seeing the record player in action.
They had never seen one actually work.
How can the needle read that groove?
It only took a couple tries to learn how to work the arm and hold a record.
They loved the scratchy phonograph sound,
even the periodic skips or the fact they couldn't stomp on the floor.
| kitchen wall of sound | 
They both had such a fun time,
I had to clean up the back table,
hoping the wife wouldn't notice the new digs.
| partial record collection | 
And maybe she won't see these either.
What better reason to organize or at least rearrange?
Our record collection isn't very extensive,
but the kids dug up a few that made me proud to see their interest.
They played some dead, gorillaz, wes montgomery, santana, led zeppelin...
Now they have something to search for - uhoh record hunters!
******************************************************
If you've got 50 minutes to spare,
maybe a long drive, some cleaning, work...
Give this album a try - SANTANA CARAVANSERAI
I love it,
must have heard it a million times.
It's reads as 11 songs but it's really one long groovy ride.
Pure 1972 goodness.
I'll make you a bet,
play it 3 times and if you still don't like it,
well I'll give you another suggestion!
******************************************************
| Kenwood kr-2400 receiver + technics sl-1401 turntable | 
Anyway now I'm in trouble.
It's so convenient to have a kitchen stereo system.
There's no need to crank the living room systems to get decent sound.
Guess the hunt will continue...
TP
 
 
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