Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: 1960s Dieter Rams-designed Braun SK6 audio system

Rams

Another gem of an item from Dieter Rams on eBay for modest money, this 1960s-designed Braun SK6 audio system.

A stunning design that mixes radio, vinyl playback and modernist-inspired design, the latter from a unit made of painted steel, ash veneer and acrylic. Reading the details, the turnable and audio both work well (cartridge and needle both in good order), with two bands of the radio good too, however, you'll need to sort out a valve to get FM working.

Overall, the unit is described as being in 'very good' condition, but do check the small print before bidding. A couple of bids on it, but at £21, it's still a steal.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: Dieter Rams-designed Braun Atelier-1 audio system

Atelier

If, like us, you happen to be a fan of Deiter Rams' designs, you might well fancy making a bid on the Braun Atelier-1 audio system.

It's a classic late 1950s audio system, designed by Dieter Rams and Hans Gugelot and offering stylish looks as well as a four-speed record player and three-band radio in a case that mixes cream white metal with ash-veneer wooden sides.

It's described as being in 'very good', but does need a new needle to work. If that is good enough for you, it's available on a 'Buy It Now' for 399 Euros. The seller also has some matching speakers on offer too. Check them out here.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Gadgets and Tech

Vita Audio R1 MkII portable music system arrives with retro-style carry case

Vita

Way back in the depths of 2007, we featured the original Vita Audio R1, a cool, retro-styled radio with a nice wooden finish. Fast forward three years and the Vita Audio R1 MkII portable music system, sporting a rather stylish carry case.

The new version of the hip audio cube has DAB, DAB+ and FM reception, input for your iPod or MP3 player, large digital display and clock/alarm functions. Reason enough for considering a purchase. But now there's also the CarryPack, a high-quality hand-stitched case, available in black or tan leather for that retro finishing touch. There's also a BackPack too, a rechargeable NiMH battery system which attaches and blends with the rear panel for up to 20 hours of replay on the go.

The radio will sell for £159.99, the CarryPack for £39.99 and the BackPack £49.99. All will be available from John Lewis from late June.

John Lewis website

Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: Columbia 1960s stereogram

Stereogram

Type in the words radiogram or stereogram into the eBay search box and you'll be greeted with numerous vintage stereo systems built into sideboard-like wooden cases. They were the norm for years, but fell out of favour as audio systems became smaller and more portable. Which inevitably means there are plenty around today – like this Columbia 1960s stereogram.

Like the majority of these things, the stereogram plays your vinyl and offers access to numerous bands of radio. If that's not enough, it doubles up as a vintage-style sideboard, offering storage too, just like a sideboard would.

The one here 'could probably do with a new needle' and 'some TLC', but is said to be in full working order aside from that. It's up for just £2. If you don't like the look of this one, check out the many other models also for sale on the auction site – and all for similarly small amounts of cash.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: 1960s combined radio and magazine rack

Gazzetta

Interesting combination of home design and home audio – this radio and magazine rack, which is said to derive from the 1960s.

Sadly, the seller is limited with information, but it does have a 'Gazzetta' motif if that means anything to you and might even be as as old as the 1950s. But regardless of that, it has room at the back for your magazines (presumably the Radio Times of old), a mesh (presumably) speaker front and a fully working radio, with stations accessed by a twist of one of those knobs.

Not exactly up there with modern audio kit, but at 99 pence, it's a quirky item that should work in the right room.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: Electrohome space age audio system

Electrohome

I can't say I've ever heard of the Electrohome space age audio system, but I like its wonderful space age looks.

Those looks are from a brushed aluminium base and stand, along with a tinted dome that holds the record player and an AM/FM radio. That's before we get to the speakers, which are pretty stylish in their own right.

Check the images on the site as there's obvious wear through age. But if you like it, you can bid now starting at $199.50 (£129.53).

Find out more at the eBay website