29 October 2018

Tandberg TCD 3004 (1980) - Masterpiece of European Tehnology

cassette deck

The Tandberg TCD 3004 was part of the Series 3000 components from 1980, quite simply a new standard in sound reproduction. The result was a system with no compromise, a Masterpiece of European Technology. The Tandberg TCD 3004 is a Professional quality cassette deck featuring microprocessor-controlled 4-motor, Dual Capstan tape drive mechanism with a 3 head configuration system. The deck can be optimized for all tapes on the market without the use of external meters, and without internal adjustments. For this purpose, advanced electronics are used such as Dyneq head room expansion and Actilinear recording- and phase correction circuits. Comfort features include variable winding speed, cue/review with automatic tape speed reduction and separate left and right channel output level. Optional remote control was also available. Specification: Frequency range R/P (+/- 2 dB) 19-21000 Hz, Signal to noise (IEC A-curve) 70 dB, Speed variations WRMS 0.09%, Dimensions (cm): 43.5(W) x 22.9(H) x 14.9(D) Weight: 10.3 kg

cassette deck



cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

22 October 2018

Technics RS-M280 - Studio Collection 1981

cassette deck

The Ultimate Expression of Cassette Deck Technology...Technics RS-M280. The RS-M280's innovative 3-motor transport system begins with the famous Technics planar-opposed direct drive motor. This brushless, coreless, slotless DC motor is renowned for accuracy, durability and compact size. Using a quartz oscillator as reference, the motor's integral FG mechanism is capable of extremely precise speed control. The result? The lowest wow and flutter ever achieved in (1981) a Technics cassette deck - a mere 0.024% (WRMS) This Direct Drive motor is the take-up capstan while the supply capstan is belt drive. For the RS-M280, Technics has constructed the take-up capstan to be slightly wider than the supply capstan - this difference is then compensated for by a corresponding difference in flywheel size. In conclusion with this system speed control is consistently accurate, and modulation noise is insignificant. 

The 3-Motor System of the RS-M280 uses a different approach for motor tasks. There is one motor for high-speed winding (fast forward and rewind) and another motor solely for driving the take-up reel during playback (or recording) while the Direct Drive motor is used for the take-up capstan. For the 3-Head Configuration Technics uses SX type (Sendust Extra) heads. It is manufactured by a special method that minimizes eddy currents to optimize high frequency response. SX exhibits the very high saturation flux density needed for metal tape recording. But it also provides superb response with all other tape formulations. With the RS-M280, it's easy to make the appropiate bias adjustment. To test tape response, the RS-M280 is equipped with a test-tone oscillator providing 400 Hz and 8 kHz frequencies. The matching Studio Collection components you can see here.

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

08 October 2018

Technics RS-777 (1978) - Compact & Autoreverse

reel to reel

The Technics RS-777 was introduced in 1978 and it was only available in Japan and silver only. In order to offer a more compact reel to reel recorder that can also be used with the mini format Technics Concise components the RS-777 no longer accepts large 26 cm reels. Technics however kept the tried and tested Isolated Loop Quartz Direct Drive tape path in a autoreverse configuration. 

Technical data: 4 Track / 2 channel, 3 speed Direct Drive (38-19-9.5 cm/s), Frequency response: 30-30,000 Hz +/-3dB (38 cm/s), Signal to noise: 57dB(JIS), Wow and flutter 0.018% (W.R.M.S), Size: 430(W)x373(H)x259(D) mm, 22 kg.

reel to reel

reel to reel

reel to reel

reel to reel

reel to reel

reel to reel


reel to reel

01 October 2018

marantz Model 7700-2 - The Invisible Tape Recorder

reel to reel

The marantz Model 7700-2 is a unique tape recorder that was never mass produced for the general public. It only made a few appreances at audio fairs like the Japan Audio Fair from 1978 or the Consumer Electronics Show from Las Vegas. A few audio magazines (USA, Germany) gave more details about this special model that came much too late from a company that has never manufactured a reel to reel recorder. Only 10 machines were built in the Japan development laboratory. The marantz Model 7700-2 was a 3 head 3 motor dual capstan construction tape recorder. Recording was only possible in 2 track mode but the HBA-2 head assembly had also a 4 track head but for playback only. For optimal recording settings there was a built in test oscillator with 400Hz and 10,000 Hz signals while the needle type meter has VU, Peak and Peak Hold settings. The tape recorder has 3 speeds: 38, 19 and 9.5 cm/s and pitch control with a +/-6 % range. The azimuth of the recording head can be adjusted with the help of the built in test tone. Frequency response is (+/-3dB) 20 - 37,000 Hz (38 cm/s) 20 - 29,000 Hz (19 cm/s) and 20 - 17,000 Hz (9.5 cm/s). The initial price in 1979 of the marantz Model 7700-2 was 3200 DM in Germany and $2500 in the USA.

tape recorder
Japan Audio Fair 1978

tape recorder
Control panel

tape recorder
HBA-2 head assembly

tape recorder
3 motor dual capstan

tape recorder
marantz meeting room Belgium