[isolator42]

...Have they all got batteries in?!

Hell, no! most take 8 D cells each - whose got that sort of money?

...it was a JVC (I think) but long like the Hitachi there but with twin tape decks. Was white/chrome and probably quite a shit one comparatively, but I loved it and owe it a lot

ah yeah, that's the attitude the boombox forum I'm on is full of people who remember that boombox feeling. The things some boomboxes have seen, eh?
Right let's see. Can you tell me anymore about it? was it big or quite slim, did it have 2 speakers or any extra ones for bass, etc. Did it have anything written on it that you remember like "hyperbass" or anything, did it have a CD player, did the speakers come off, did it have round edges or sharp corners?
Anyway, here's my best guess so far, the JVC RC-W3:


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...Just found an old partial pic of it

Good to see a 3D in it's intended environment - blasting hard surrounded by beers. Nice dodgy looking stain on the carpet too

Anyway, that's a Hitachi 3D80. They come up fairly regularly on eBay UK (don't bother internationally - the shipping will be a killer), & go for sensible money mostly. It's a good boombox - plenty of toys & damn loud for the size. Sure it's not hifi, but that was never the point of these, was it?
There's one on eBay Canada now if you want some more pics:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...:IT&ih=010