Realistic Fully Automatic Turntable Miracord 40A

Radio Shack (Tandy, Realistic, Micronta); USA

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  • Year
  • 1970
  • Category
  • Sound/Video Recorder and/or Player
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 367176

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Transistors
  • Semiconductors present.
  • Semiconductors
  • Main principle
  • Audio-Amplification
  • Wave bands
  • - without
  • Details
  • Changer (Record changer); Hi-Fi equipment
  • Power type and voltage
  • Alternating Current supply (AC) / 105-125 Volt
  • Loudspeaker
  • - For headphones or amp.
  • Material
  • Wooden case
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: Realistic Fully Automatic Turntable Miracord 40A - Radio Shack Tandy, Realistic,
  • Shape
  • Book-shelf unit.
  • Dimensions (WHD)
  • 16.75 x 7.25 x 14.25 inch / 425 x 184 x 362 mm
  • Notes

  • The Realistic Miracord 40A is a vintage, fully automatic idler-wheel turntable, a collaborative product between the American retailer Realistic (RadioShack) and the German manufacturer Elac, popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

    Key Features;
    Design and Build: The turntable features a brushed aluminium control panel and was often mounted on a base with real walnut wood trim.
    Operation: It is a fully automatic record changer, meaning it can play multiple records in sequence. It also has a cue control feature.
    Tonearm: The low-mass, counterbalanced tonearm accepts sensitive cartridges and can track at low weights (reportedly as low as 3/4 gram in a similar model, which suggests precision engineering for its era).
    Cartridge: The model was often sold with a Realistic (Shure) R27E cartridge and Shure 75C stylus, or a Stanton cartridge, and uses a specific cartridge insert (TAS 1).
    Speed: It supports multiple speeds: 33, 45, and 78 rpm.
    Performance: Owners on forums and in vintage reviews praise the unit for its "great styling," solid build quality, and good sound reproduction for a vintage changer.

    User Reviews and Opinions;
    Durability and Quality: Reviewers often note that the Miracord 40A units are well-made and surprisingly durable, often still functioning well decades after their manufacture.
    Aesthetics: The design, particularly the wood base and specific buttons, is frequently mentioned as a highlight, evoking a classic vintage aesthetic.
    Maintenance: As with many vintage turntables, units found today often have cosmetic issues like scratches or cracks on the dust covers, which don't affect performance but indicate typical wear and tear. General maintenance for idler-wheel mechanisms and ensuring the correct stylus/cartridge match is a common topic in user discussions.

  • Price in first year of sale
  • 99.95 USD
  • Author
  • Model page created by Glen Orriss. See "Data change" for further contributors.

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