Monday, August 5, 2013

Electrohome Circa 75

The photo of an unusual-looking stereo has piqued some curiosity, both on the blog and in the store. Here it is beside the Eames lounge chair and ottoman on our showroom floor. It is an Electrohome Circa 75 Model 701.


Electrohome stereo

Gordon Duern, Electrohome's design director, looked to the Canadian government's space program for ideas when he decided to come up with the design. The prototype, a round model created in 1965 or 1966, is housed in the Waterloo Regional Museum in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It had a solid state stereo and controls in a teak cabinet, a wall screen television and a sound chair with built-in speakers and arm controls.

Duern envisioned the Circa 75 to be a communication center which could do amazing things, like track the New York Stock Exchange, link with distant cities and universities and even allow the owner to shop at his favorite store. Unfortunately, the technology for those applications did not exist at the time, but the stereos did go into production.

From electrohomecirca75.blogspot.com 


Ad for Electrohome Circa 75 Model 701
midcenturymodernfreak.tumblr.com

Electrohome Circa 75 Model 703
electrohomecirca75.blogspot.com
When we take photos of the one in our store for our website, I'll give you some close-up shots of the controls, which are pretty amazing.
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19 comments:

  1. Bill MAugust 5, 2013 at 3:39 AM

    30+ years in the electronics industry (my hobby since I was about 12 has been HiFi (remember that?) and stereo) and this is the first I've seen those uniquely attractive stereos. I wonder if any survive any place.

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    1. Dana@Mid2ModAugust 5, 2013 at 10:47 AM

      That's one in the flesh, sitting in our store. You'd probably be interested in the discussions on electrohomecirca75.blogspot.com.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJuly 6, 2023 at 6:24 PM

      There's one in my mother's living room. It was my parents' first big purchase as a couple.

      Delete
  2. PippaAugust 5, 2013 at 4:00 AM

    Such style! ...are you planning some soiree's in the new shop?

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    1. Dana@Mid2ModAugust 5, 2013 at 10:49 AM

      We're planning a grand opening celebration to coincide with a big art walk in the Design District in about a month.

      Delete
  3. Ton S. August 5, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    Thanks for indulging me Dana!
    That Electrochrome is the coolest piece of vintage tech. I can see how it would be a nice complement to a wood-and-chrome desk.

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    1. Dana@Mid2ModAugust 5, 2013 at 10:49 AM

      I had a feeling this would be right up your alley. :)

      Delete
  4. CT@Living AnalogAugust 5, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    That most definitely is a gorgeous stereo. I would take it or a Dieter Rams design any day but that would mean trading out the speakers my dad built from scratch . . . .so sentiment wins out every day. I love, love, love when something is functional AND really well designed. Thanks for sharing. Cheers - CT

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    1. Dana@Mid2ModAugust 5, 2013 at 10:57 AM

      We had a gorgeous Braun stereo designed by Herbert Hirsch for Braun with a Deiter Rams interface. I would have loved to own that piece...but you're right that sentiment would have to prevail in a situation like yours.

      http://mid2mod.blogspot.com/2011/08/in-store-drexel-precedent-braun-stereo.html

      Delete
  5. Dana@Mid2ModAugust 5, 2013 at 6:58 PM

    Somehow I deleted a comment and my response, which might be of some interest to several of you. Luckily, I was able to copy it before I refreshed the page:

    Anonymous August 5, 2013 at 12:18 PM
    I just purchased a Circa 75 model 703 in Minneapolis this week. It is in great shape and I absolutely love it. It even came with the owners manual and schematics and the original receipt. It was originally purchased for $625 in 1970. Good luck with your Electrohome!


    Dana@Mid2Mod August 5, 2013 at 6:52 PM
    That was quite a chunk of change in 1970. According to an online inflation calculator, that would be $3,761.34 in today's economy. Congratulations on getting one in such good condition!


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  6. UnknownMarch 31, 2014 at 5:44 PM

    I have one of these in my house, which is a mid-century modern ranch. It is glorious in the right setting. The internals are fairly fried, so I'm considering a discreet (hidden) update with modern components, while preserving as much of the original as possible.

    Has anyone undertaken a project on one of these babies?

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  7. Dana@Mid2ModMarch 31, 2014 at 6:31 PM

    If I'm not mistaken, Dallas Vintage Audio in Bedford, TX, did some work on this one before we sold it. If you don't live in the area, they might be able to steer you right via email or phone.

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  8. AnonymousDecember 4, 2015 at 3:56 PM

    I have the Circa 75 Model 701 in excellent condition that I am considering retro fitting with a SONOS Connect Amp.
    What is one of these worth currently?

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  9. RaphaelJuly 17, 2016 at 4:40 AM

    Hello
    I own a circa 701 cabinet ,does anyone know with what type of speaker can you replace the originals ?

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 31, 2022 at 8:18 AM

      Is for sale ?

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    2. AnonymousAugust 10, 2023 at 9:18 PM

      I have one for sale if you’re interested

      Delete
  10. UnknownJanuary 29, 2022 at 4:55 PM

    I just had my Electrohome 701C fully restored with original parts and to original specifications.I found this at Estate Sale and it was all original and the walnut cabinet was like new condition. It worth the wait to have it gone thru and the turntable checked over! It also came with a walnut cabinet Learjet eight track player. Another one saved!! This is truly a piece of art in my home.

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  11. AnonymousMay 31, 2022 at 8:19 AM

    For sale?

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  12. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2022 at 6:37 PM

    I have circa 75 collections 701, 703, 709
    Best sounding is 701.

    ReplyDelete