I'm a CRAIG! Exploring the IMA CRAIG PS2000 cassette tape recorder stereo system.

During the late 1970's and beyond, with the advent of reliable, stable, high quality cassette mechanisms, manufacturers sought to build multi function "all in one" machines -- a "stereo system in a box." This paved the way for the portable "boom box" of the 1980's. The idea was to make a piece of audio gear that basically did everything, eliminating the need for separate components. IMA -- a Craig Company -- entered the arena with the PS2000, a stereo system that also functioned as a clock radio, but was more than that!

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This video explores an IMA CRAIG PS2000 cassette tape recorder stereo system that had some serious danger issues as well as needed repairs to the cassette drive system.

Essentially, this is a vintage stereo cassette tape recorder with a radio and a clock attached. But unlike a simple clock radio, it also contained multiple inputs and outputs one would expect to find on a true stereo system, including a phono (ceramic levels) input.

Although it is a true stereo system, it is at the lower end of the spectrum for such devices. The tone control is a standard hi-cut design (no true treble /bass) and it has no VU meters, but relies on an ALC circuit for recording. It has side mounted speakers, but an option to plug in a set of external book self speakers.

This unit had been sloppily repaired in the past. The power supply transformer had been replaced with an unshielded component, that was heating up (not a good sign) and an AC fuse system that was downright dangerous because the live contacts and wiring were exposed and free floating in the system case. This was an accident waiting to happen!

The power supply was replaced and properly insulated, the cassette mechanism received proper calibration, head alignment, new belts and a thorough cleaning. What could NOT be repaired was the special digital clock "dimmer" control. The clock works well, but the red digital display can't be dimmed.

Enjoy the video and see how this well designed and constructed vintage audio technology works, in spite of a previous clumsy and dangerous repair job!

This IMA CRAIG PS2000 vintage cassette tape recorder stereo system will soon become a part of the Vintage Tape Recorder Hall Of Fame collection, with its own exhibit. Be sure and visit (where we add new tape recorders to the collection every month) at:

http://www.vintagetaperecorderhof.com


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Copyright Disclaimer:

This is an educational video, a critique, and report on an historic piece of vintage audio electronic equipment that is no longer manufactured or sold in stores. It is covered by the Fair Use Section of U.S. Copyright Law:

"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

The selection of original music played by the vintage cassette stereo system is a selection from "Theme from CATZILLA", and original composed by Tim Thompson, performed by his XV Orchestra. ClydeSight's CATZILLA "story with images and music" was one of the first appearances of the CATZILLA pun on the Internet in 1998.

The full version (about 4 minutes long) is available at the Clyde Cinema, part of ClydeSight2.0, the Fun and Games Cat Site. You can enter the Clyde Cinema here:

http://www.clydesight.com/cinema.html

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• clydesight
• IMA
• CRAIG
• PS2000
• vintage
• cassette
• tape
• recorder
• stereo
• system
• DSPP
• subliminal
• messages
• software
• personal
• growth
• Abundance
• Genie
• CATZILLA
• cat

[thecrystalcauldron]

A scarily good machine and sound.

Thanks as always for an interesting demonstration and restoration.

[clydesight]

@thecrystalcauldron

Thanks for your comment!

When I opened the machine and found that exposed fuse holder, I thought, "oh, no, no no!" But it was an easy fix and now it sounds very nice and is safe to operate.

[Lachlant1984]

Do you think the pause affecting the fast forward was a design flaw on the manufacturer's part, or do you think somebody modified the unit so it would work like that?

[clydesight]

@Lachlant1984 The pause affecting the fast forward was part of the original design. They needed to disengage the drive wheel from the take up spindle in play, and since that mechanism also controlled the fast forward, there was no way around it. They must have assumed no one would press pause during a fast forward.

[Lachlant1984]

I've just been reading the dialogue between you and coolbluelights, I agree with them, that is, I'd like to see videos on your channel about audio devices from the 80's as that's when I was born, I get your points about keeping those devices etc, but still, if you upload more videos of stuff from the 80, even from the early 90's, I'd be really happy to see that.

[clydesight]

@Lachlant1984 Some of the stuff I review is from the 1980's. There are a couple of Sony machines from the 80's, and I did have a nice Rad Shack stereo deck that I must re-post from the 1990's as well. Also I have a Panasonic red cassette machine from the early 1980's. But my focus is on the 1960's stuff, it was unique and has special meaning for me.

[BHFanaticoSiljak]

I have IMA Craig a company model: ps 1000 8-track!!!

Works perfect,i find this in my garage and i dont know where this come from...

Any one know if this models are good,because i cant find any on ebay or other webside.

I tested and works perfect,and cosmeticaly cindition is perfect...any one know the price or year if this model?

Also i find 1000 pc brand new sealed elvis presley 8-track tapes....

[raymondleeleggs]

I'd replace the speaker with realistic duo cones!

[Lachlant1984]

@clydesight OK fair point. Actually I remember your videos of the red Panasonic portable tape recorder, I also remember the video you did on the little Realistic stereo cassette deck. The old 60/70 machines are certainly very interesting, the designs the manufacturers used were very unique as well, but like today's stuff there were plenty of good and bad eggs as yon and CassetteMaster have pointed out. I belive CassetteMaster had a HORRIBLE little shoebox unit that was simply terrible. 

[Lachlant1984]

@clydesight Can you give me some examples of good quality tape records made in China that you speak of in your comment? Oh I've been enjoying my Sangean since I got it in February this year, my unit was made in China as everything is this days, but that doesn't bother me too much. This Craig brand unit certainly is pretty unique, I've seen plenty of cheap clock radio tape units that are nowhere near as good as this one.

[clydesight]

@Lachlant1984 The Craig was made in Japan. A lot of today's stuff comes from China, and they are doing some remarkable things. They have some amazing cassette recorders, but you can't get them in the US!

Enjoy your unit, if it sounds good to you and gives you satisfaction, then it is worth the money and serves you well.