Aiwa CS-600
Stereo boombox with 22-watt output, DSL, and mechanical logic tape deck from the G-Metal X collection
Overview
The Aiwa CS-600 is a Stereo 4 Band Radio Cassette Recorder (boombox) made by Aiwa Co. Ltd. It belongs to the G-Metal X collection and is listed as a "Classic Model." It has a full metal body, a detachable full remote control, soft-touch tape operation, and a cassette lid lock. It also has condenser microphones, a LINE IN on RCA inputs, a tone control knob, and a DSL (Dynamic Super Loudness) button for enhanced audio. User reports praise the sound quality, the high volume, the bass with DSL engaged, and the battery life. That makes it a solid daily-use boombox with a high-quality tape deck, though not top-tier next to models like the M70.
Specifications
| Power Output | 22-watt |
| Power Supply | Nine "D"-cells |
| Features | DSL button, tone control, LINE IN (RCA), detachable remote, full metal body, Super Bass, cassette lid lock, soft-touch tape operation, condenser microphones, mechanical logic tape deck with air damper soft eject |
Design
The cassette deck uses three belts: a flat belt, a tape-counter belt, and a thin square belt for rewinding and fast-forwarding. Screws and plastic tabs hold the mechanism in place. The deck motor is held by a clip and screws, and it has an internal speed control circuit board. The case goes together with screws and taped tabs. The design is easy to repair, with belt replacement kits available and documented disassembly procedures. Record function problems usually come from a jammed record tab sensor, a disengaged record lever, or a dirty record slider switch on the main board.
Market
Market prices vary. Users have bought units for £20 - £30 (~$50), and a restored example was listed at ~$254 five years ago. The most common failure is the cassette drive belts degrading into "gooey tar." Cassette motor failure and record function problems are also reported. Maintenance usually means cleaning, lubrication, and belt replacement.
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