Home Vintage Asylum

Classic gear from yesteryear; vintage audio standing the test of time.

RE: The Lowly BSR Mcdonald Turntable

BSR contract manufactured lots of inexpensive changers to the so-called "brown-goods" console stereo manufacturers. They marketed a unit with a ceramic cartridge designed for console stereos retailing as a system for under $200.

The 510 you have is actually a higher-end $50 unit, that typically was sold as a separate component under the BSR name but probably more often renamed as an Allied or Realistic (Radio Shack brand) unit. Usually these had a $20 Shure magnetic cartridge. All of this was in the late 60s or early 70s. As the decade continued, BSR marketed successively higher-end models retailing for as much as $100 and even a single-play turntable. They tried to build a following among the component stereo buyers, but they never did fully overcome their image as being a supplier of cheap changers for inexpensive walnut-grained consoles. That was sad as theie equipent was sturdy and reliable and model for model competed well in quality with the changes at the same price point from Garrard, the other big changer maker at the time.


This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  VH Audio  


Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.