Name/Title
Sanyo Model M2100X Portable Cassette Recorder, with Carrying CaseEntry/Object ID
2025.1.336Description
Portable mono Compact Cassette recorder in an upright (portrait) cabinet of off-white/cream plastic with a black control panel and a perforated-metal speaker grille over the upper front. The face carries the "SANYO" logo, a cassette well behind a hinged window embossed "AUTOMATIC LEVEL RECORDING" / "AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF SYSTEM," and a red RECORD button with an EJECT button on a silver lower fascia. One long side has a transport slider lever marked "PUSH REW · STOP · PLAY·REC · PUSH F.FWD"; the other side has "DC.6V" and "AC INPUT" jacks. The top end carries MIC and EAR jacks and a VOLUME (MAX–MIN) thumb wheel. The recorder rests in a black vinyl carrying case with snap flaps and a carry strap; the back bears the Sanyo specification label.Use
Bought at an INIT shop for tourists (Diplotienda) in 1977, by a Costa Rican citizen (along with a Sanyo radio and a pair a leather shoes). Commissioned by a Cuban national. Price: $48.00. Belonged to Leopoldo Arús Gálvez.Context
Sanyo Electric (Osaka) was among the largest producers of portable cassette recorders by the early 1970s. This is a multi-voltage, English-marked export model. A prized household electronics in Cuba.Collection
The Cabrera Arús family collection, Leopoldo Arús Gálvez collectionMade/Created
Manufacturer
Sanyo Electric Co., LTDDate made
circa 1975Time Period
1970sPlace
Country
JapanContinent
AsiaEdition
model M2100XInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionLocation
caseTranscription
SanyoLanguage
EnglishType
InscriptionLocation
topTranscription
AUTOMATIC LEVEL RECORDING
AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF SYSTEM
SANYO RECORD
EJECTLanguage
EnglishType
InscriptionLocation
bottomTranscription
SANYO MODEL M2100x
CASSETTE RECORDER
DC 6 VOLTS {UM-2 x 4}
AC 120/200/240V 50760Hz 5W
SANYO ELECTRIC CO. LTD. JAPAN
OPEN BATTERIESLanguage
EnglishType
InscriptionLocation
sideTranscription
DC.6V
AC INPUTLanguage
EnglishType
InscriptionLocation
sideTranscription
PUSH REW
PUSH F.FWD
STOP
PLAY-RECLanguage
EnglishParts
(1) recorder (cabinet, transport, speaker, controls); (2) carrying case with carry strap and snap flaps.Materials
Material
PlasticMaterial Notes
Molded plastic (cream and black cabinet); perforated metal (speaker grille); chrome/aluminum trim; vinyl (case); metal (snaps); strap.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Sanyo Electric Co., LTDNotes
producerPerson or Organization
Leopoldo Arús GálvezNotes
ownerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
acquisitionPlace
Country
JapanContinent
AsiaNotes
productionResearch Notes
Notes
Sanyo Electric was founded in 1947 in Osaka, incorporated as Sanyo Electric Co. in 1950, and by the early 1970s was one of the largest producers of tape players/recorders, supporting the early-1970s dating. The multi-voltage AC rating marks an export unit.Created By
Hana FlammCreate Date
March 25, 2022Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 16, 2026
