The improved Crosley... from 2007
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- Опубликовано: 4 июн 2024
- For Pete's sake, it's the Crosley Keepsake -- the big brother to the little Cruiser suitcase-style record player (and its many imitations) that is very popular but also the subject of much scorn.
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
2:14 Design & features
4:20 Sound quality
5:32 78 RPM
6:59 Connections
8:13 Teardown
10:30 USB output samples
14:53 Why didn't it catch on?
16:02 Updated models
Albums featured:
The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms (1980; 2022 re-release)
Reptar - Lurid Glow (2015)
Betamaxx - Lost Formats (2018)
Yr Lad - Show Me the Sign (2018)
John LaDuca - "Mr. Fantastic" in the Wonderful World of Wurlitzer (1969)
Slugbug - Truck Month (2019)
Anders Enger Jensen - Attach of the PETSCII Robots (Alternate Soundtrack) (2022)
#vinyl #RecordPlayer #RetroTech 
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DUDE! For once in a million years, your channel showed up on my front page. I remember watching your very old videos from 13-14 years ago all the way back then. I'm amazed and so happy at how much your channel grew, I always knew there was a charm to your content and to your whole attitude and vibe.
I wish you the best!
Thanks!
A sprinkle of that Wonderful World of Wurlitzer disc really elevates a dish
I have the Keepsake, it was a Christmas present from my parents circa 2009. I have a collection of about 3000 78 rpm records, so was thrilled that it had 78 available. Bought a 78 specific needle and it sounds pretty good. My preference, though, is listening to records on my 1961 Webcor Moderne console Hi-Fi. Gotta love that retro charm!
As much as I like the aesthetic of pre-1980 turntables, the 80s is the best decade for turntables. Yes, there was a lot of crappy crosley level turntables on cheap desktop AIO stereo units, but the best turntables were made in the 1980s. Just about every mid level turntable from the 80s is more than good enough for anyone but audiophiles. The best turntables of the 80s are the best ever made.
@@christo930 what are some brands and models to look for? I'm in the market myself.
@@itscarve If you are looking for a brand new one, Audio-technica makes a pretty good entry level turntable for about 150 usd.
If you're looking for a used turntable, the regular name brands (Technics, Sony, Pioneer etc) all made excellent entry level turntables in the 80s. You can get some really cool models that have cool features like being able to treat it like a CD and play the tracks in any order you like, or play only track 2, 4 and 7. Or Quartz lock, which continuously monitors the speed and makes it perfect (no wow and flutter). Or another popular one is the ability to play both sides of the record without flipping it.
The downside of 1980s turntables though, is most will need at least some minor work, like changing the belt (though Quartz Lock tables don't use a belt) or replacing the stylus. Unlike the model in the video, most 80s turntables will need to be attached to a stereo system to play (they don't have a built in amplifier or speakers) records.
Most will have a high quality phono level pre-amp. The downside to that is you won't get a line out and will require your stereo to have a phono input and not just "auxiliary," though there are many models that have line-out or selectable phono/aux switch. This can be overcome with an external phono pre-amp if your stereo doesn't have a phono specific input (plus, most of them have a ground wire that also needs to be attached to the stereo). If your stereo is modern, it very well probably doesn't have a phono input.
Another drawback is you may have to replace the cartridge because a new stylus is not avail or priced too high. But Audio-Technica has you covered. They make some very good and reasonably priced cartridges with reasonably priced and widely available replacement styluses.
One other thing to consider is that something sold in the 80s is pushing 40 years old. It might have bumps and bruises. It might have been owned by a smoker and smell of tobacco. This can be cleaned, but it has to be cleaned inside and out to get rid of the smoke smell. Either way it will probably require some cleaning and polishing.
There are cheap turntables almost indistinguishable from modern poorly made turntables today, though even with these cheap ones, they were better physically built then. The mechanism from a Crosley Cruiser was invented in the 80s. But the really bad ones were almost all integrated into a AIO unit and not a separate component detachable from the stereo.
Hope this helps. Good luck. It will be fun.
@@itscarve If you are looking for a brand new one, Audio-technica makes a pretty good entry level turntable for about 150 usd.
If you're looking for a used turntable, the regular name brands (Technics, Sony, Pioneer etc) all made excellent entry level turntables in the 80s. You can get some really cool models that have cool features like being able to treat it like a CD and play the tracks in any order you like, or play only track 2, 4 and 7. Or Quartz lock, which continuously monitors the speed and makes it perfect (no wow and flutter). Or another popular one is the ability to play both sides of the record without flipping it.
The downside of 1980s turntables though, is most will need at least some minor work, like changing the belt (though Quartz Lock tables don't use a belt) or replacing the stylus. Unlike the model in the video, most 80s turntables will need to be attached to a stereo system to play (they don't have a built in amplifier or speakers) records.
Most will have a high quality phono level pre-amp. The downside to that is you won't get a line out and will require your stereo to have a phono input and not just "auxiliary," though there are many models that have line-out or selectable phono/aux switch. This can be overcome with an external phono pre-amp if your stereo doesn't have a phono specific input (plus, most of them have a ground wire that also needs to be attached to the stereo). If your stereo is modern, it very well probably doesn't have a phono input.
@@itscarve (Part 2 if 2. Keeps disappearing) Another drawback is you may have to replace the cartridge because a new stylus is not avail or priced too high. But Audio-Technica has you covered. They make some very good and reasonably priced cartridges with reasonably priced and widely available replacement styluses.
One other thing to consider is that something sold in the 80s is pushing 40 years old. It might have bumps and bruises. It might have been owned by a smoker and smell of tobacco. This can be cleaned, but it has to be cleaned inside and out to get rid of the smoke smell. Either way it will probably require some cleaning and polishing.
There are cheap turntables almost indistinguishable from modern poorly made turntables today, though even with these cheap ones, they were better physically built then. The mechanism from a Crosley Cruiser was invented in the 80s. But the really bad ones were almost all integrated into a AIO unit and not a separate component detachable from the stereo.
Wow. I'm stunned by this player! If it had a different name and maybe packaging when it came out, this night have been a runaway success. Even at $150. Great video, brother!
"Just because something is popular doesn't mean it actually has any redeeming qualities, TikTok proves that"... truer words were never spoken on RUclips.
John LaDuca - "Mr. Fantastic" in the Wonderful World of Wurlitzer is such a banger hehe
Oh look, It’s Michael Fremer, the guy who said over and over that he could hear digital, until he couldn’t.
These People are delusional. Sure if you play a track without hiss and cracks, anyone can hear its digital, but if you have a digital recording of a vinyl play there is no way
Can't think about Crosley without thinking about The Grand Tour...
Nice my favorite RUclipsr Time! Btw thanks again i feel happy because of you i made my coming out and living an happy life with my boyfriend!! And now i have a video about a briefcase turntable love your stuff mate.
✌
Good on you mate.
I'm straight, but love is love; it's beautiful and I wish you both the best ❤
Congratulations! 😻♥
Yeah I'm far from straight and I'm happy being gay 👬
What does vwestlife have to do with you coming out?
That Feelies album is immortal. Was not expecting to see or hear that, cool!
That John Laduca album sample really piqued my interest so I searched for more and of course I find a video from 11 years ago playing more.
Yeah it's your video. Singlehandedly keeping John Laduca relevant in my life. John and I thank you.
I love that you played the soundtrack from 8-bit guy’s game. I didn’t even know there was a vinyl release for it, that’s amazing!
Yeah for sure.
Anders Enger Jensen also doesn't copyright claim the use of his music in RUclips videos, which makes it excellent for these demos. Techmoan uses those tracks a lot for that reason, too.
Great informative video. As a 80s kid, I can appreciate the value and quality of Vinyl a lot. I used to have a Fisher-Price 45 LP record player as a kid, and my Grandfather had a entire stereo setup dedicated to his massive Vinyl collection for its time.
I have the Crosley traveler turntable, which is essentially a cruiser with the Keepsake style design, and larger speakers (exact same ones!!) with tone control. It’s still got the smaller platter, but it has the removable lid. It’s mounted on springs, but the record doesn’t hang off the side, though you can’t shut the door when playing LPs. It’s got the cruiser style red cartridge, and sound quality is somewhere in between the two models. Surprisingly, closing the lid while playing 45s on the traveler actually dramatically increases the bass response! It’s crazy!!
6:03 - I love how that patch of dirt gets 'played' in rhythm with the music! :)
man, r/vinyljerk members are cooking you for this, i dont understand why though. its a perfectly good video.
That Wurlitzer album would not be at ALL out of place as a chip tune song in something like an NES-era Zelda game. Really cool.
Thank you for turning me on to Slugbug. I heard the 7" blue (or red) single in one of your videros a few years back and it hooked me. Got all their recordings now! Fascinating that you can't get a decent portable without working hard for it.
Thanks for the compliment at the end. I would hate to be called normal or fashionable ;)
That last track was such a hit of nostalgia from an era that is way before me.
This actually reminds me of the old school record players from Newcomb, with the large speakers on the sides, and the removable lid. The chunky thickness of it reminds me of the old tech with the valves/tubes.
Many of the school record players have solid state amplifiers, though many are tubes. The problem is they peaked in the 70s, maybe the early 80s, but even by then they were not the quality they once were. They also don't use good cartridges. They use a replaceable cartridge/stylus combo. I don't think they make them anymore. Plus, they are crystal cartridges. Many of them don't have the power to use a MM cartridge.
In the dying days of Califone, they rebranded the Crosley Keepsake, and made them in their familiar turquoise color instead of brown.
Hey staying til the end of the video doesn't make me a weirdo...
Oh wait... I am a weirdo.
It's okay, many of us weirdo's here to support you.
Slugbug! You introduced me to them and it's what I program to all day now. Thanks!
15:42 I didn't see a record player in that picture - oh wait... 😉
Had to pause for a moment there 😅
Michael Fremer wrong about something? Let me find my shocked face 😮.
Another great video.
I love the sly picture of some Twink that happens to have a crosley record player in it. Very subtle.
That Yr Lad song sounds great, I'll have to check the full album out!
That Wurlitzer record is amazing. Loved some of those tracks from all the records
I like the vintage ones from the 50’s and early 60’s to play VG records from the era. It’s a fun experience.
For first system as long as it plays records and sound comes out in stereo who cares what the audiophiles think. My first stereo was an all in one BSA unit, with a front load cassette deck and probably this same turntable mechanism and it was great for a kid and got me into the idea of having "my" music that was different from my parents music. My first bike was also a cheap Sears coaster brake bike that probably cost $60 and it got me into riding. It didn't hold me back. If anything it is what got me interested in the first place and like my stereo it was cheap so I could enjoy it the way I wanted and play with all the controls without my parents caring if I did something "wrong".
Good video! I've been getting into record collecting when i started off with collecting Jungle/DnB records! ^w^
Spot on. Nothing is better than perfect reviews on something you love
Wow that is a beast of a record player. I can’t believe it even has input that will go through the analog-to-digital converters to USB. It’s odd it doesn’t have an analog output, but I guess that is probably a cost-cutting measure.
As a kid I had a suitcase record player that was AC powered and had a decent speaker. No idea what brand, and it probably wasn’t expensive; but I got many years of fun out of it. This makes me happy!
Wow, I'm impressed. Who would have guessed a record player from Crosley could sound that good. I'm also impressed to see the 8-bit guy released an album related to his video game..Attack of the Petscii robots.
As always, great video VW!
Definitely didn't expect to see Garret Claridge!
LMAO, forgot about him.
I remember the legendary "chainsaaaaawwww" :D
my favorite of his is the big logitech pc speaker blow out
“Circa 2009” 😂 come on
They did another crossover with VCRs
One of my units is a Kreisler with the 4 speed auto changer and flip over cartridge. It has AM radio as well and has Valve's in it and it has quite a good sound. From memory it has large oval speakers in each side as well, the lid lifts up and one time this fell down with a loud bang at which I thought a capacitor had blown. I was out of the room and ran in to turn of the power then i realized what had happened.
Nice to see you demonstrate this Crosley turntable since I've actually seen you demonstrating this playing a record awhile back in your one of your previous videos.
It’s obviously not intended to be a high end model, but this is actually pretty nice for a suitcase style player! It’s nice they added extra features later on, but considering the higher price, I can see why it wasn’t as popular. If they could fit the features of this into the lower end models, I’m sure they would be pretty solid overall. Great video!
There is one thing I always say these Crosley Cruisers and similar (current) models are really well suited for: playing 78 rpm shellac records (if they have the 78 rpm setting)! - using a suitable stylus (they're readily available), not the standard one for vinyl records one they come with, and of course not the built-in loudspeakers (many models have some form of external audio output, often RCA connectors). Shellac records are meant for a high tracking force, in fact it's what they need (especially the really old ones that were made for wind-up mechanical gramophones with their heavy sound boxes). The results you get using such a Crosley Cruiser for your old shellac records are certainly not poorer than on a period-appropriate gramophone, and you most certainly will also not damage them in any way, as by gramophone standards, a Crosley Cruiser treats them extremely delicately. (Edit: I don't know whether the typical "Crosley Cruiser" does have audio output, but I have seen many clones ore clone-ish models which have one, and also an 78 rpm setting).
Hey Kevin, this is going to be a very random comment, but i watch your channel since the beginning way back and to me you have created one of the best technology related channels on youtube. I remember there was another channel named wxbill or something of that kind that i also thought was pretty good, it reminded me a bit of your channel but apperantly it doesnt exist anymore
uxwbill is still around and still making videos.
There was an identical looking Crosley to this that I got way back in 2002...It had the same Chuo-Denshi ceramic cart that triggers audiophools, no inputs (besides the power brick connector), and possibly no suspension on the turntable. It wasn't bad for what it was, but probably besides sound it was not much better than the new smaller ones.
That was the CR49 Traveler, the model which preceded the Keepsake.
The Feelies! I knew I liked you 😊 I also got that older Crosley Keepsake when I left for college in 2007. It was good at what it did but I still graduated to a better turntable when I could afford to.
Intrigued by that "Macintosh Tapes" track on the Truck Month album; never heard this before.
I also liked the Robot music!
Thx for your interesting video.
I’ve that 2 tone white and blue 1987 ford f-150 single cab pickup truck that Paul owned I finally found one and bought it now driving it as my daily driver pickup truck
It's funny, back in the 80s and 90s, even the cheapest crap record players had automatic return
That LaDuca wurlitzer haunting melody sounds nice @11:50. Love to hear that sometime in a vacuum tube pre-amp turntable setup to really hear those tones.
I'll take being called a weirdo! Thanks for another great vid.
78 rpm shellac discs can offer rather lifelike sound quality, particularly when played with cheap modern turntables and a 3-mm stylus suitable for the wide grooves. Thanks for demonstrating!
3 mil, not 3 mm. A mil is a thousandth of an inch.
The case and speaker design reminds me of the Califone rim drive institutional record players which were popular in classrooms. I always wanted one they're cheap enough but the plug in ceramic cartridge / stylus assembly is getting ridiculously expensive.
This one is actually an improved version of the Califone it has a nearly full size platter, an inexpensive magnetic cartridge (better sound quality), and a belt drive which will produce less noise than a rim drive.
One of your videos introduced me to SlugBug and I instantly needed to know where that music comes from. For this video it's good to hear him again, and I just had to troll your comment section a bit to see if anyone else mentions him. Seems like you've spread it to a few people!
Now I want to find one of those Keepsakes.
Savage burn at the end...🧐
I'm curious if you can tap into the preamp output before it runs to the main amp and run that out to a line output jack.
Thank you for never forgetting about us 78 fans lmao.
If the inflation calculators are accurate, those portable made-in-USA phonos from the '70's like the GE Wildcat cost the equivalent of several hundred 2024 dollars. My records survived being played on them.
i actually remember seeing these keepsakes back when i was a poor college student and wanted to start in on the hobby... kinda wish i snagged one back then as it wouldve been better than my cruiser (aka my dedicated 78s player) 🤣 thnx for the video!
It has a really nice tone to it, with decent volume.
I hope that people don't take the piss out of Crossley's too much. It was a gateway for many people to experience a good quality, physical item.
4:31 ❤ The Feelies! ❤
I saw that too! "Crazy Rhythms", great record!
too good to be true, sounds fantastic, great demo, thanks!
Representing your home state by playing The Feelies!
The only thing more New Jersey would be watching Uncle Floyd while listening to Bruce Springsteen.
Where i live the cheap crosley costs about €100. For €25 more i bought a german built 'Dual' from the '70s. It obviously has no built-in speakers, but it is an amazing machine
Yes, Dual turntables are fantastic, the more vintage the better. I also like vintage Elac Miracord (or Benjamin Miracord) turntables. :)
great music selection for the wooden suitcase.
I did buy a similar record player to the Cruiser when I was in the UK last year so I could listen to the records I was buying over there. It was by a company called Goodman and it came with a ruby stylus so it wasn't quite as bad as the cheaper styluses that usually come with them. The speakers were small but had a decent enough sound for me to listen to records in my hotel room or at a friend's house. It also had 78 speed although I didn't have any 78s so I never tested this. It had bluetooth so it could connect easily to a much higher quality speaker. It wasn't an audiophile set up at all, but it was fine for travel purposes and it was a lot better than any other portable turntables I've tried.
I really hope the market for quality stereo decks and vinyl players increases, its a niche hobby we dont need the trash to fill the bins. Maybe people are fed up with all digital finally though.
The 2013 updated version of the Crosley Keepsake was the first turntable I purchased about 10 years ago. I found it to be notably better than the Crosley Cruiser that some of my friends had, but I never realized that it had a magnetic cartridge or a lighter tracking force. Though I inherited an old Sansui turntable, I didn't have a preamp/receiver or good set of speakers at that time, so the Keepsake was certainly a good place to start as a teenager. I still have it, but I've since moved on to using a 'real' turntable. I'll probably adjust the speed pots sometime and replace the stylus.
I'm one of the weirdos that stayed till the end of the video...LOL
That Feelies LP is a lovely Easter egg in your video sir. 😉
11:35 I love when you play that Wurlitzer tune, nice to see the album art!
I think the Crosley traveler I have has the same setup, without the removable lid. I was so surprised when I saw it had auto-return. I thought it sounded horrible until I realized I had misplaced a few brain cells and completely overlooked the tone knob
Wow. Vinyl from 1926. It's superb. 98 years old.
Shellac. Breaks when you drop it.
Shellac, not vinyl.
@@vwestlife Ok. Thank You.
I've always loved the 8 bit guys background music
Fantastic, I love it
Great video! Thank you for taking the time to put this all together. Also love seeing your subs climb!
hey! im not a weirdo just because i like big suitcase record players! thats only one of the reasons!
While it's not hifi and my turnable set up is a lot dearer, that actually does sound quite decent especially when you took the output direct which does show what can be achieved even from a "plastic" deck. Too bad it didn't take off.
15:42 - Now, why did he use this pic... 15:45 - {red arrow appears} OH! The turntable. Gotcha. 👼
I wanted to use a portable turntable, I'd refresh my mom's GE V631n. Sure, it's ugly and clunky, but as a teen she cranked her Jackson 5 and Monkees singles on it, and then when I was a child and she was in her twenties, her Larry Gatlin, John Denver, and Kenny Rogers LPs. (Huh, I wonder if my dad's Richard Pryor and filthy Bill Cosby LPs are still around? They'd be in the closet next to Mom's LPs... I should check on that sometime.)
I started collecting around 2006, and bought my first player on clearance at Christmas time for around $120 at radio shack of all places... It was one of those retro-styled Curtis ones that has a CD player in the front (though sadly no cheap tape deck in the side like similar units later added).
That crappy sounding player was my pride and joy, even after my wife bought an ION iPT 01 for Christmas the year after, and went through more than a few home repairs to keep it alive. Nearly 20 years later, and I own dozens of turntables - most much better than that one - but still hold shitty players in high regard as a way for people to get into the hobby. My kid's first player was a knockoff cruiser from goodwill, and they still love to crank up the phonograph to listen to tunes from a hundred years ago
Whats the song at the very end on that 78 didn't get any matches when I tried to "Shazam" it. I have a Victoria Revolution go which is nice actually. only gripe is no tone control and the small size platter. but for a new thing its decent got a light tracking force MM cartridge that I can easily slap a 78 stylus on
Johnny Messner & His Music Box Band - "I Must Have One More Kiss Kiss Kiss (Before We Say Goodnight)"
Definitely didn’t expect to see The 8-Bit Guy’s record 😍
13:45 Anders Enger Jensen - Attach of the PETSCII Robots (Alternate Soundtrack) (2022) Sounds very WNUA 95.5 Chicago mid-1990s...
did not expect tis to sound this good. btw what the lp you're playing while demonstrating the tone control ?
Betamaxx - "Lost Formats"
I love being classified as a weirdo. Thats hilarious and so true. Im a analog junky.
@Westlife would you recommend installing a Diamond stylus in this thing?
The Keepsake already comes with a diamond stylus.
The latest Crosley record player incarnation is the Anthology series. The big draw is the Beatles editions. That's what it took to get me to buy a couple. No tone control, but they do have a speed pitch adjustment control and Bluetooth has been added. It also comes with audio-out cables. Also, they have gone to a regular magnetic cartridge with a diamond stylus. The platter is small, but if you are worried about record support, use a record clamp. It does autostop at the end of the record.
Great video man👍✌️
Amazing how even Crosley made good products
In my opinion, the only things that would probably make the Crosley Keepsake better would be the addition of a line output on the back (to connect it to an external amplifier or speakers) as well as a headphone jack for private listening. Otherwise it would make an excellent portable turntable… thanks again for sharing! You rock!!!
Califone...Remember them don't you? The classroom record player company? They actually sold a version of this record player. Instead of brown, it was in their characteristic turquoise color. It caught a lot of flak because it wasn't up to par with their older record players of the 1960's and 70's, but it's still a good one comparing it to the Cruiser
on the keepsake, would you be able to adjust the return on the tonearm so it won't pick up early on the 78s?
Yes, there is an adjustment for it.
Nice to see/hear Truck Month in there.
If you listen carefully you can hear the gate keeping on Reddit for this one 😂
I have got to agree with you on the whole TickTock thing, I don't understand the appeal at all. Why watch vertical videos on a tiny phone screen, when I could be watching awesome full size videos like this on a big 27" monitor? Maybe I'm just having my first "Am I out of touch? No, it's the children who are wrong!" moment in my life.
Great vid you never cease to amaze me did not know of this I would see a keepsake om line for sale but always thought it was a ceramic cart amazing also I like that album you play Mr fantastic wurlitzer I remember hearing that song when I was younger John Laducca got to see if I can find me a copy thanks JRo
I wonder if it's possible to reverse engineer and complete the circuit for the line out that would be a cool follow-up project
i've just bought myself pro ject-debut with 2m red cartridge and the difference between this one and my old chinese lenco player is enormous
That Attack of the Petscii Robots track sounds like something from a 90s adult film
Although it sucks that this isn't the one that got successful, I'm happy that both Crosley and Victrola have taken cues from Audio Technica and released their versions of LP60.
*cues
@@vwestlifethanks for the heads up. I'm not native speaker so these slip ups are very likely to happen
Hey Vwestlife I was looking for your video on your radio station. Is it gone?
5:22 what is that album? And can I play UHQR or mobile Fidelity vinyl records on that turntable? And can I connect it to a stereo? I already have an atlp60,but I'm helping others who may be reading this.
10:38 is this album you played for the sound test royalty free and wont get a content match?
Betamaxx - "Lost Formats". The Yr Lad album is not royalty-free, but does not generate any Content ID claims on RUclips.
I heard that older products are sometimes better than new products.