A solid state search unit for use in an automatic phonograph system in which phonograph selections are identified by three digit selection identification numbers, and which system includes a record magazine, a playing mechanism and a plurality of user-actuated remote selectors. In its normal mode of operation, the search unit, in cyclical fashion, searches memory locations corresponding to the respective selections offered for a play signal and, when such a signal is found, erases said play signal, causes the corresponding selection to be played, and transmits to the remote selectors a signal representing the selection identification number of the selection being played, or, if no play signal is found in the memory, stops the search. In its selective mode operation, the search unit, in response to a signal from a remote selector representing the selection identification number of a user's selection choice, stores a play signal in the corresponding memory location and restarts the normal mode search cycle.