Customer Reviews

Crosley CR85 Collegiate Stack-o-Matic Turntable, Walnut

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This record player is really a very good buy considering what you get. Sure, the sound from the single speaker is only about a "B+," but if you really want that retro feel and look in every way, including the stackable records feature so reminiscent of the '60s, then this is one of your best choices.

It doesn't take up much room and it plays the records very well. You can stack a few albums up (maybe not more than five, though) and just walk away, letting the records spin and the music roll through your house for the duration of five or six sides worth of records! (I wouldn't recommend stacking 78 rpm records; they might be too fragile for that and should be played one at a time.)

The wood grain quality looks a little cheap and the iron mesh grille in the front covering the speaker is certainly not the best. Of course you knew that diamond stylus needle wouldn't be the very best diamond stylus needle you could ever buy, either. Nevertheless, it IS a diamond stylus needle--and it IS a sturdy record player.

But that's not what you're really buying here. The selling point of this turntable, this record player is the nostalgia, that feeling you get and the memories you recall when you see and hear it play your records. If you're like me and you kept your record albums all these years, you DO value nostalgia and therefore you'll be pleased. After all, it's not like turntables are growing on trees anymore, so this is one of the few opportunities we have left for us record lovers!

This model allows you to play 33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm and even 78 rpm records that are 7 inches, 10 inches or 12 inches in width. There is an automatic return arm and this is a great plus!

Overall, this really is a wonderful record player for those of us who remember yesteryears fondly and who want the look and styling of record players from the '50s and especially the '60s. It is not a modern turntable used in clubs in jet set cities; but chances are if you're considering this product a modern day turntable requiring speakers and other equipment isn't what you wanted anyway. I recommend this as an affordable "retro" record player that does the job well and will work well through time. It also comes with six 45 spindle adapters and a user's manual that's actually written in plain English!

Enjoy this for years to come! SMILES

I recently purchased the CR85 Collegiate to play some old 45s and LPs that had been gathering dust in my basement. I originally had some concerns because the Crosley turntable products I had seen in stores appeared to be poorly constructed with cheap parts. I was pleasantly surprised when the unit arrived because the cabinet is reasonably well constructed, and the quality of turntable unit itself is good considering the price.

After setting up the unit, I stacked some 45s (using the supplied plastic adapters - which are red and designed a bit differently than the yellow ones I remember) and started playing. The changer works as advertised, just like the one I had when I was a kid. My own kids had never seen anything like it and were absolutely fascinated.

The sound is definitely lo-fi, It was loud enough, but it reminded me of listening to AM radio back in the '60s. The treble is somewhat muted, even with the tone control turned all the way up (by the way, the tone control functions exactly like these sorts of controls functioned on equipment back in the day - they cut treble but do not increase bass). The unit has two stereo speakers, but they are so close together that you might as well be listening to mono. All this may be part of the fun, it recreates the music listening experience I had as a kid back in the 60's and early '70s, and certainly will provide some nostalgia for baby boomers. On the other hand, I do think Crosley could have supplied somewhat better speakers and given the user more flexibility in adjusting the sound.

All in all, though, so far I am pleased with my purchase.

Just what I wanted -- something low-tech that would play old childhood 45's, 78's and lps. Does a nice job.

I ordered this item for my mother (she's 80 years young) so she could play her albums. She loves it. I had to send the first order back because the speaker system was bad, but return process went very well (didn't cost me to return it) and received a replacement pronto. Thanks Amazon.

Jane

or actually just what my wife wanted........ I personally would feel better if I NEVER had to deal with a record again, but my wife feels attached to them. With this turntable she can play all of her old records,and her mother's old records, and her grandmother's old 78s. Plus, when she gets tired of playing them, it can be closed up and stored out of the way.

All in all, the unit is well constructed, good looking, and quite portable............ it sounds good, too!

I love this record player so much that I
bought 2 of them, one for upstairs, one for
downstairs.It's easy to operate, sounds Retro*
Vintage, and replacement needles are easy to
find (and inexpensive)-which is really important.
I love playing The Ventures old lps on this,along
with The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds!! :)
It's just COOL!! I'm glad I gave it a whirl!!

The Stack-o-Matic has a nice sound quality and is both simple and convenient. It's nice to find a turntable that hasn't been too modernized.

We are enjoying vinly records, all sizes, which had been stored in boxes many years. The reason we purchased this unit was the stackable feature so we can play more than one record without physically going to unit. We wish it had outlets for jacks to take sound to speakers in house/porch. Also, we should have pursued a different finish on cabinet, but this is a minor objection. We love hearing the old Beatle 45s.

Cosby is an excellent company with fast delivery and complete instructions. Very satisfied and will purchase again from them.Crosley CR49 Traveler Portable Turntable, Tan

Great retro looking piece. Sound quality is good and it looks just like something from the "old" days.