Sanyo M9982F boombox: Automatic Music Select System (AMSS), cassette tape demo, and attempted repair

This Sanyo M9982F ghetto blaster features:

Cassette tape player/recorder
AM/FM stereo radio
Split left-right, 2-in-1 volume knob
Bass and treble controls
1/8 inch left/right external microphone jacks
RCA left/right line in jacks
RCA left/right line out jacks
1/8 inch left/right external speaker jacks
1/4 inch headphone jack
Two-way speakers w/ tweeters & woofers
Two built-in microphones (stereo)
Separate eject and stop buttons
Record mute button
Tape select buttons: Metal, Chrome, Normal
Automatic Music Select System (AMSS)
Mode switch: Expand, Stereo, Mono
Band select switch: FM, AM
Dual antennas for FM radio
Tape counter with reset button
AC input power jack
DC 12-volt jack (perfect for RVs / #VanLife)
Eight (8) D-cell battery compartment
Tuning knob
Five-segment LED VU/Sound level meter
Operation LED (indicates power on)
FM Stereo LED
Analog horizontal radio dial in MHz/kHz
Spare cassette tape storage on rear (2)
OSC (oscillator) switch: 1, 2, 3
Voltage selector switch: 120V, 210V, 240V 

I was unable to open the boombox up to replace the belts. From the way fast forward behaves, I’d say the belts don’t have much life left in them. But it plays most tapes ok for now, though it almost ate one of my rap tapes. If you’ve successfully opened up this specific make and model of boombox without damaging it, please share how you did it in the comments to help others who are looking for such information!

I realized after I made this video that the volume knob is actually a dual volume knob split between the left and right channels, as indicated by the little graphic next to the knob. It’s not a volume knob on top of a balance knob as I had originally thought. So it’s operating how the manufacturer intended. I’ve just never seen one done that way in a rotating split knob. I have seen it done that way with dual left-right volume sliders. But after the early ‘80s, boombox manufacturers stopped making them that way, and they would have a knob or slider that would be labeled “balance” and would not affect volume per se, it would just affect the left-right balance. And in that case, the volume knob or slider would not affect balance, it only did volume. This actually makes more sense, so that you can set balance and forget it, and adjust volume without having to re-adjust balance. But the early ‘80s boomboxes apparently did it the hard way, which was convenient for the manufacture, but not so convenient for the user. And that’s the charm of these old machines. It makes you appreciate the later technology more, and kind of laugh at how they did things back in those days. Those charming quirks are constant reminders of the time period that machine came from. That’s the fun of retro tech!

And this fun can be had without hoarding lots of boomboxes or other retro tech. I’ve tried collecting this kind of stuff on a gargantuan scale, even experimenting with an eBay reselling store, and it’s no fun to have no space in your living space. But did you know that you don’t have to own this stuff to appreciate and enjoy this stuff? You can borrow it or work on fixing other peoples stuff. That way you experience the fun of it without all the headaches of ownership. You also appreciate an item more and use it more when you know you only have it for a short time. You can take a photo or a video, and then give the item back to its owner! In this case, I responded to a request on the “Trash Nothing” website by a gentleman who wanted his boombox repaired. So I did what I could, shot this video, and am returning the boombox back to him very soon. I sure had fun with it, but I’m glad I won’t have to store it anymore, as it’s a big bulky item, and I have way more than enough stuff already! If anything, I want to get rid of more stuff, not acquire more headaches (even as much as I enjoy retro tech). If I do acquire more stuff, it’ll have to be temporary, as in I’ll sell it or give it away soon. And if not, then I’ll have to sell or donate something of similar size to recover that space. Eventually, I’d like to be a minimalist, but for now, I’m not trying to change overnight. I’m allowing the changes to be more organic, as long as I continue to take steps in my desired direction. And apparently that means allowing myself to do yet another boombox repair (attempt) video! These retro tech videos are my most popular videos! Who’da knew… But my “Minimalism Journey” videos are quite dear to my heart, as I believe that minimalism can have many wonderful benefits, perhaps most notably the freedom to move and travel easily.

May your day be peaceful and calm, and may you enjoy whatever hobbies you’re in to!