Optonica RP-4705 here!

[bully]

You're gonna be with me on this, I'm just gonna open 'er up.
The outer packaging looks first-rate, let's hope it's all in one piece. Couldn't hear any "tinkles".
first box opened.
sheesh, second box opened.
i have not seen anything packed like this!
there's another box! ahh, wrapped in wrapping paper.
more tape and cardboard. this was packed VERY well.
Handsome TT.
Needs a stylus. Has an AT cartridge, no stylus installed.
No markings, dad-gum, I'll have to dismount the cardtridge.
Good looking TT.

later

[bully]

Here's my gripe: teeny-tiny mounting screws, and the way too small little nuts.
I've got big ol' hands, and by the time I was 21 I'd had every finger and knuckle, plus a few hand bones, broken. Couldn't count the number of dislocated thumbs.
Well, y'all probably got the picture.
Anyway, I got an AT LS200 mounted on the Optonica TT.
Probably have the balance waaay to light, but we're trackin' vinyl!
Got it just sittin' on top of the big Concept 16.5, and am using the Concept. Man, guys, that Concept receiver is a NICE piece of gear.
Gotta go look up the AT LS200 and AT 666 :eek: cartridges. What have I got there? They each came on the two new tables I've got lately.

[jay]

Excellent, BullyPete!

Now that you're satisfied, we're still in suspense though, so how about a pic of your setup?

[THOR]

Yah Bully for cripes sakes go buy a friggin digi camera and stop teasing us! :dammit: :D

[bully]

Optonica was the 'upscale' brand of Sharp Electronics. Matsushita/Panasonic previously created the Technics brand to compete with Pioneer, Kenwood, Sony, Sansui, et al.
Optonica, though, was more of a premium brand, more to compete with Luxman and Yamaha (among Japanese brands).
They were only sold for some years, beginning in the mid- to late-70s.
The USA market has been very tough in many fields, if the timing and the gear is just not quite to 'taste.' Even though 'foreign' brands have come to play a very big role in the USA market, remember that even Volkswagen folded its tent for a spell. Peugeot never got off the ground with its offerings.
Heck, even excellent brands such as Soundcraftsmen, SAE, and others have fallen by the wayside.
Truth, I'm kinda waiting for the Korean Samsung to make a move. They have nibbled away in many electronics areas, and their wares are increasingly finding their way into our everyday lives. Samsung, for example, has created 'state-of-the-art manufacturing plants, here in the USA as well as in Korea.
Anyway, Optonica provided some very nice gear. OH!! Remember Kyocera? That was some VERY nice gear, too. You know they actually made automobile engines out of ceramics? Super light weight, and required no water-cooling. That was over 25 years ago. Didn't see the light of day, probably because they ran up against the powerful Japanese steel industry.
Sound familiar?

Pete

[car67]

Pete,

Congrats on the safe arrival of the new family member!:p:
I haven't seen one before.

Some pics, please?

Jack

[bully]

Thanks, the guy would've done Grumpy proud with that packaging! I still haven't got the GLASS dust cover out, yet. I'll have to put the hinges on it first.
The table sits down in the plinth, a molded design. I also noticed, after tightening the screws, there is a little 'thingie' to check overhang! I'm within a millimeter or less, but when I get a better cartridge (can't find anything on the "LS200" or the "666" AT's) I'll do a perfect job of it.
It is heavy.

pete

[grumpy]

Pete

Always glad to hear that a TT makes it cross country safely.You were definately due to get a piece of gear intact. I gotta say tho that I never heard of Optonica I would be interested to see a pic. So hows about obliging us and poping a couple of pics on here.

Dave

[VinylHanger]

Are you sure of the dates for Optonica gear? I just saw a little 30 watt or so receiver today at a thrift that had to be mid to late 80's? I was going to pick it up just because of your posts but I haven't found anybody else to give gear to and 30 watts is just to darn small anymore, and I was saving my cash for the Big Sansui, and my wife would have killed me, my wife would have killed me, and I had a feeling that I would find something better later in the day, and I did, a nice little TX-6800 Pioneer tuner, I love the smell of "new" gear from all the way across town :D
If I find a nice big Optonica receiver or TT, I will pick it up though.
Never mind about the date part of my question, I just realized I miss read your post :stupid: