Sanyo M9975

The M9975 was one of Sanyo's mid-tier models from their year 1980 lineup. The ones with shortwave are called the M9975K or M9975LU. In Japan, this model was called the MR-X850. It's a good-looking boombox with LED meters and lots of shiny trim, but it's hard to find one in nice condition because the fake chrome around the tuner window is usually all scuffed up. It has RCA connections for Line In and Line Out, and it also has Sanyo's "AMSS" track search system for the tape player.

It measures almost 19" wide and 11" tall. It contains 4.5" woofers and 1.5" tweeters. All switches and pots are easily accessible for cleaning. The power amp consists of two Rohm BA532 chips, the same ones used by the Sanyo M-X920. But that model is 15 volts, so it will make more power than this one.

Many collectors ignore models like this because they have a Tone control instead of separate Bass and Treble. But this one actually sounds very good, better in fact than many boxes with Bass and Treble. I can think of several larger boxes with less bass than this. It's an honest, good-quality box that's light and easy to carry, yet still sounds great.