Return to yesteryear.

• Position: What's New? - Crosley 1940s Turntable and Philco Turntable CD/Cassette - Product/Service Evaluation

* We all know the frustration that comes with dropping a couple of grand on a new computer system only to discover it's completely out of date a mere six months later. Well, imagine that frustration factor trebled and you'll begin to understand the hand-wringing desperation of us poor souls with extensive record collections. Finding a quality phonograph--how's that for retro-speak?--is about as easy these days as finding a short line in an airport. It's not bad enough to be stranded in silence with countless 45s and hundreds of LPs (now, for a change, it's the computer generation who's totally befuddled by the jargon), but we've also been left with a priceless collection of 78s, passed down from Dad. Ouch!

The sounds of silence finally have been lifted, however, thanks to a pair of age-old names in the electronics field: Crosley Radio Corp., Louisville, Ky., and Philco, from Phillips Electronics North America, Atlanta, Ga. Both have come out with a complete line of turntables/ record players/phonographs/hi-fis, ranging from suitcase models (remember them?) to consoles.

The Crosley 1940s Turntable ($299.99) and matching cherry-wood stand ($99.99) had us in heaven, and not because of the built-in CD, AM/FM radio, and cassette player, although these modern touches proved quite convenient as we could play our new stuff--limited though it may be--without having to switch units or, thanks to the remote control, even get up. Likewise, the Philco Turntable CD/Cassette ($199.99) and matching oak stand ($99.99) have proved to be real finds. The Crosley, because it plays...