RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
AM/FM Tuner
Repair:
2 lamps changed (LED Warm White)
1 cap
Adjust FM stations
#9
Compared with a decent modern digital tuner at this price, US$199 for this Lafayette is on the ambitious side unless it is fully serviced and unusually clean. Without current comp data for this exact model, I’d treat it as a collector-leaning ask rather than an obvious bargain; for a common used vintage tuner, that usually only pencils out if condition is excellent and alignment is known-good.
The upside is that Lafayette gear has appeal to buyers who like solid late-vintage Japanese-era separates, and a tuner like this can be a satisfying way to add an analog front end without paying high-end money. If it has the original knobs, dial glass, and a stable stereo lamp/MPX section, that helps a lot; if not, I’d want the price lower because age-related drift, weak lamps, and FM section servicing can matter more than cosmetics on a tuner.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Lafayette Radio Electronics stands as a pivotal figure in American audio retail history. Founded in 1931 as the branded division of Wholesale Radio Service Company—itself established in the early 1920s by Abraham Pletman in New York City—Lafayette evolved from a supplier of radio components for hobbyists into a comprehensive electronics retailer. Headquartered in Syosset, New York, the company operated until 1981, serving as an introduction to high-fidelity systems for generations of American consumers through both mail-order catalogs and company-owned retail locations.
Lafayette's product portfolio reflected its role as a democratizing force in audio. Beyond amateur radio equipment and citizen's band radios, the company embraced emerging formats with characteristic agility—from open-reel tape recorders to 8-track cartridges, compact cassettes, and notably, quadraphonic systems during the mid-1970s. Lafayette marketed its own branded components under the Lafayette and Criterion labels, sourcing heavily from Japanese manufacturers. Their retail stores featured dedicated sound rooms where customers could audition complete systems, a significant advantage in an era when hands-on experience was rare outside major urban centers.
Lafayette occupied the accessible mid-market tier rather than the high-end segment. The company's reputation rested on affordability, quality, and comprehensive selection—offering equipment from established manufacturers like Stromberg-Carlson, University, and Bogen alongside house brands. Their detailed catalogs and willingness to stock components unavailable through local dealers made them indispensable to serious enthusiasts and casual buyers alike. Today, Lafayette represents a nostalgic touchstone for vintage audio collectors and a testament to mail-order retail's influence on consumer electronics culture.
See all Lafayette listings on RADAR.
