20 Cool Retro and Vintage Style Radios and Turntables

If you had told me ten years ago that companies would start putting out authentic looking replicas of gramophones, I would've thought you were crazy. Yet this is exactly what a few of them are doing, and with an attention to detail that's nothing short of amazing.

Now I know what you're thinking-- these gramophones may be nice as conversation pieces, but they're not of much use to the modern music lover who's into mp3s and recording music, right?

Well, think again-- not only do they play vinyls, they have state of the art technology that would even put some of today's systems to shame!

A good example is the Pyle-Home PTCDS3UIP gramophone by Pyle Audio (below):

^^ Pyle-Home PTCDS3UIP Classical Trumpet Horn Turntable with AM/FM Radio CD/Cassette/USB & Direct to USB Recording

Judging from its shockingly authentic appearance, you'd think that there was very little it had to offer today's users. But this replica comes jam-packed with features, such as AM/FM stereo, a tape deck, CD player, and even USB recording. Because of this, you get the best of both worlds-- the beauty of an old-fashioned player with the functionality of a modern day music system.

The Pyle-Home PTCDS3UIP is not the only gramophone on the market. However, judging from its beautiful appearance and customer reviews, it definitely appears to be the best looking and most functional of what's available.

For several decades, art-deco style radios encased in wood were a staple in everyone's homes. Sadly, as metal and plastic eventually became the material of choice, it seemed as if these beauties were lost forever.

Not anymore. Several companies have reproduced them in all their glory, and just as with gramophones, they come equipped with features that even the most diehard audio techie will enjoy.

Crosley
One of the biggest leaders in vintage radio recreations is Crosley, a company that specializes in reproducing antique and retro electronics from the 1920s to the 70s. Two examples of its tabletop radios are the Crosley Companion Radio in a Walnut finish and the Crosley CR32 CD Cathedral Radio. Both are absolutely stunning recreations to die for. However, the Cathedral model edges out the Companion Radio, because it comes with a tape deck, LED display, and CD player.

Crosley doesn't just make tabletop radios, but turntables that also sport similar wood cabinetry and art deco embellishments, such as the Troubadour, the Musician Entertainment Center, and the CR44CD Turntable Console with CD Player and AM/FM Tuner. All more or less come equipped with some modern day functionality (such as a CD player and mp3 player support), making these recreations functional as well as beautiful.

Pyle Audio
As we saw in the previous section on gramophones, Crosley is not the only game in town when it comes to vintage electronics. There is Pyle Audio, which I feel in many ways gives Crosley a run for its money. Two terrific examples of its handiwork is the Pyle Home PTCDS2UI and Pyle Home PTCDS1U. Not only are these two turntables achingly beautiful, they also come with tons of features for today's music enthusiast:

^^ Pyle Home PTCDS1U Classical Turntable with AM/FM Radio CD/Cassette and USB Recording

There of course other companies besides Crosley and Pyle Audio putting out vintage radios and turntables. However, if you're looking to buy one, these are the main two companies that I would look into first.

When it comes to music players from the past, none are more iconic than the 1950s jukebox. Decorated in chrome and neon lights--and embellished with automotive motifs-- these gorgeous vending machines allowed diners to play their favorite songs for just a few cents a pop. Because of their eye-popping looks and color, it's no wonder that they continue to be one of the most popular items from the past to be replicated.

Jukebox Players
Because full-sized jukeboxes are expensive, you may feel that there's no hope of owning one. However, you can to a certain extent by purchasing a "jukebox player." Jukebox players are really tabletop music players and radios with some additional functionality; however, they're made in the authentic look and style of a jukebox (complete with neon lights and that classic "chrome" look), so they look and feel every bit as much as the real thing.

A few examples are the 1) Crosley CR11CD Jukebox CD Player, 2) Crosley Radio CR1701A-PA iJuke Jukebox, and 3) Grace Digital GDI-JBP100 Victoria Tabletop Jukebox with CD Player, AM/FM Radio, SD/USB Player and Adjustable Light Show. As you can tell from the link description, these miniature jukeboxes aren't just for show-- they also have some modern day features. For example, the Crosley Radio CR1701A-PA iJuke Jukebox is an iPod player, and the Grace Digital jukebox has radio and supports CD and USB, so it's not like you're getting a cute toy but a real music system in its own right.

Full-sized Jukeboxes

Yes, you can actually own a full-sized jukebox that looks and plays just like the ones that could be found at various establishments. However, keep in mind that they cost a lot of money. The cheapest one available at the time of this writing is the Crosley 12-2 iJukebox, which is currently going for $975. This *is* pretty steep, but compared to the Crosley CR1201A Full Size 10-Disc CD Jukebox and Stand and other jukeboxes that start in the $1,400 and up range, this model may be worth looking into if you'd really like to get one but are on a tight budget.

As music technology progressed in the 50s and 60s, audiophiles were given a new way to enjoy their music. Rather than be limited to listening to their favorite records at home, they could now lug their favorite vinyls wherever they pleased by purchasing a portable turntable, which could be closed and carried around like a suitcase.

Surprisingly enough, portable turntables have also experienced a type of resurgence even though people would have a much easier time carrying around and playing their music with today's generation of mp3 players. But I guess they've come back for their nostalgic value as well as their charm. There's something endearing about these portable players that mp3 players can't seem to match.

As usual, Crosley is behind several cool reproductions of portable turntables. Its tan-colored CR49 and CR40 Mini-Turntable models are faithful recreations of models that Elvis Presley and Beatles fans most likely owned. They're so faithful, in fact, that you can practically feel what it was like back then sharing the latest Elvis, Buddy Holly, or Beatles record with your schoolfriends or college roommates. I know I do!

Because people tend to want recreations of older style turntables, there are very few reproductions of models from the 1960s and 70s. However, there is at least one modern day replica that invokes that era-- the Jensen 3-Speed Stereo Turntable with AM/FM Stereo Radio. Like turntables from the 1960s and 70s, it has large dials, a plastic dust cover, and a body made of wood and metal. It may not be close enough for everyone who grew up during this period, but it's enough of a reasonable facsimile that should please some.

As with turntables of the same era, there are very few replicas of actual tabletop radios from the 60s and 70s. However, a few companies have done some excellent "interpretations." Let's look at a few:

Crosley
You wouldn't think that Crosley, producer of so many authentic replicas, would put out retro "style" radios, but it has with its so-called "New-stalgic" line of radios. An example is the black and silver Crosley Solo Radio CR221. Although it's not based on any real design, there's a nice retro feel to it because of the stylish dial and classic "1950s automobile" feel.

Sangean
Sangean has put out several charming radios with elements that are unmistakeably 70s, such as wood cabinetry and large dials.Two examples are the SANGEAN WR-11 AM/FM Table Top Radio and Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio. Both could easily be mistaken as an actual 70s artifact, because they so beautifully capture the style at that time.

Tivoli
In my opinion, Tivoli Audio has done the best job of producing modern day audio that is most reminiscent of 1970s electronics. The Tivoli Audio Model One AM / FM Table Radio is a great example. Even though it's a modern day design, the cabinetry and large dials make it look like something you could've owned during the disco era.

Thanks to a recent resurgence in vinyl, today's audiophiles are becoming interested in electronics from the past. As a result, manufacturers are catering to them by turning out some stunningly authentic recreations of vintage audio. If you're a music lover who'd like a radio or turntable from a bygone era, there's no need to settle for a beat up old antique from a secondhand store; a beautiful recreation can be had for as little as $45.