For the first half of the '70's, you could have called it Quadland. Lafayette had their own line of Quad receivers and decoders. These pieces usually featured an excellent SQ decoder. This is likely the reason that they were talked about and sold reasonably well. They had it all: parts, hi-fi, ham radio, test equipment, CB radio, accessories, records & tapes.
After Allied Radio was purchased by Radio Shack, Lafayette decided to re-enter the Chicago and Milwaukee markets in '72. Their stores were popping up all over, just as Quad hit its' stride. Quad LP's, tapes, name brand and Lafayette Quad gear were prominently featured in all stores. I purchased my first Quad piece, an Akai CR-80DSS from them. Although it was on sale, being a good negotiator, I got them to throw in Blood, Sweat & Tears' Greatest on Q8, In a few months, I began working as Assistant Manager of a competitor (my first hi-fi job), and did much less shopping at Lafayette. Later, when I was repping, I sold to one of the few Lafayette franchise stores in existence.
1973 catalog featuring the top-rated LR-4000 receiver, the first anywhere with full-logic SQ:
1972 catalog:
1975 catalog:
Lafayette CD-4 demogitator:
http://www.surrounddiscography.com/...ctronics Model # CD-4, CD-4 Demodulator 3.jpg
LR-5000 Quad receiver, which replaced the LR-4000:
SQ-W decoder service manual:
1939 Lafayette catalog from radiomuseum:
1933 catalog. Originally, it was known as Wholesale Radio Service:
Lafayette tube package:
Also, be sure to check out the Remembering Allied Radio thread: https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/forums/showthread.php?16959-Remembering-Allied-Radio
After Allied Radio was purchased by Radio Shack, Lafayette decided to re-enter the Chicago and Milwaukee markets in '72. Their stores were popping up all over, just as Quad hit its' stride. Quad LP's, tapes, name brand and Lafayette Quad gear were prominently featured in all stores. I purchased my first Quad piece, an Akai CR-80DSS from them. Although it was on sale, being a good negotiator, I got them to throw in Blood, Sweat & Tears' Greatest on Q8, In a few months, I began working as Assistant Manager of a competitor (my first hi-fi job), and did much less shopping at Lafayette. Later, when I was repping, I sold to one of the few Lafayette franchise stores in existence.
1973 catalog featuring the top-rated LR-4000 receiver, the first anywhere with full-logic SQ:
1972 catalog:
1975 catalog:
Lafayette CD-4 demogitator:
http://www.surrounddiscography.com/...ctronics Model # CD-4, CD-4 Demodulator 3.jpg
LR-5000 Quad receiver, which replaced the LR-4000:
SQ-W decoder service manual:
1939 Lafayette catalog from radiomuseum:
1933 catalog. Originally, it was known as Wholesale Radio Service:
Lafayette tube package:
Also, be sure to check out the Remembering Allied Radio thread: https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/forums/showthread.php?16959-Remembering-Allied-Radio