28 March 2019

YAMAHA K-2000/K-1000 - α-ORBiT Optimum Recording

cassette deck

The K-2000 and K-1000 Natural Sound Cassette decks from Yamaha were introduced in 1982. They are thoroughly eqipped with uncomprimising technology, a combination of "spare-no-cost" engineering and innovative design. Both these decks are highly automated - thanks to built-in computers - providing an extensive range of features that are simple to use. Briefly, the K-2000 and K-1000 incorporate a speially designed two-motor, direct drive transport mechanism for smoth, silent precision, and three-head (sendust) reproduction system. Both decks employ a new Yamaha breakthrough - Linear Electromagnetic Transduction. This new system extends high signal transmission linearity to the actual point where a signal is transferred from the head to the tape - a previously uncontrollable area in the recording chain. 

Then there are double dbx and Dolby B noise reduction systems in the K-2000 and single dbx and Dolby B in the K-1000, ORBiT (Optimum Record Bias Tuning) for automatic, precise bias level setting, a 4-digit linear real-time conter, expanded-range LED level metering with peak hold, a number of auto/memory functions and more. The K-2000 additionally features a unique "monitoring erase" function and a broad-range pitch control. The Monitoring Erase function of the YAMAHA K-2000 is a highly original Yamaha feature that you won't find on any other cassette deck. While most modern cassette decks let you insert silences in a program being recorded by pressing a REC MUTE button, the K-2000 actually lets you selctively erase portions of a program while monitoring in the playback mode. This not only gives you much greater editing flexibility than provided by the REC MUTE function alone, but it allows you to record a program it its entirety and then edit later at your leisure - a particularly useful feature for editing timer-activated recordings made when you are away or asleep. Further accesiores include a wired remote and EIA rack mount adaptors.


cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

compact cassette



20 March 2019

TEAC A-860 (1976) - World First dbx Recorder

cassette deck

Advertised as having an expanded dynamic range of over 80dB the TEAC A-860 from 1976 was the first cassette deck in the world with built-in dbx II noise reduction system. Because background noise is reduced as much as 30dB, you can record at lower levels and still maintain the best possible signal-to-noise ratio. You get more headroom with less chance of tape saturation. The decks features and performance amply justify the company placing it in their "Esoteric Series" of components. The transport system in the 860, designed by computer technologists and engineers, was the most sophisticated cassette transport. Three motors and dual capstan drive provides the most precise, most accurate movement of tape possible. At its eart is a Phase Locked Loop DC servo capstan motor. Virtually imprevious to voltage fluctuations, temperature or load changes, it joins with two DC reel motors to provide an incredible 0.04% WRMS wow and flutter. 

A newly designed dual gap record and reproduce head for three-head function completes this sophisticated tape transport. The front panel of the 860 also includes inputs for four mc or line lvele signals that can be mixed down to stereo or mono with the built in 4x2 mixer with pans. The 860 will provide best possible frequency response characteristics no matter what brand of tape you use. Three position bias and equalization switches and front panel calibration controls give you total flexibility and control over the record and reproduce electronics. Positions 2 and 3 on the bias and EQ selectors are fixed for ferrichrome and high energy tapes, respectively. Position 1 is factory calibrated for CrO2 tape. But it allows you to adjust the 860's record and reproduce electronics to get exact compatibility with any type tape you are using. To optimize performance up to laboratory standards for any specific cassette you choose there's a test jack where you can connect an external generator such as the TEAC TO-122.


cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck


14 March 2019

THORENS PC 650 (M) (1979) - The Unknown Warrior

cassette deck

This is a rare 3 Head cassette deck introduced in 1979 by THORENS, the Swiss company famous for their turntables. The deck was available with both silver and black front panel but no matching (in design) amplifier or tuner was available. The PC 650 is a pretty standard model with full logic controlled two motor belt drive mechanism and 3 head configuration capable of handling Normal, Chrome and FeCr tapes. With the introduction of PC 650 M the Metal tape capability replaced the FeCr tape setting of the previous model and a ALPS head was used. This model went as quickly as it came, due to mainly high price and competition from Japanese manufacturers. Actually the deck was built by SCHNEIDER (a very innovative company but known for medium quality products) from Germany who had a similar looking deck in their range, but that was an autoreverse model. This makes the THORENS PC 650 the "First 3 head deck Made in Germany"


cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

07 March 2019

GRUNDIG CF 5500 (1980) - High Fidelity DIN45500

cassette deck

This was the first 3 head cassette deck from Germany's largest consumer electronic manufacturer, GRUNDIG, and the second cassette deck "Made in Germany" with 3-head design, after the Thorens PC 650. It's a complex machine built around a 2 motor mechanism with one Quartz controlled capstan and 3 Ferrite heads. For best results with any tape the GRUNDIG CF 5500 is equipped with two test tones (10kHZ, 40Hz) with separate adjustments for left and right channel. Dolby circuits are also double (recording and playback). The CF 5500 can handle Normal, FeCr and CrO2 tapes. There is separate output level control and a dedicated headphone amplifier with left and right channel level adjustments. The cassette compartiment is open type with full logic controlled mechanism, digital tape counter and LED recording level meters. The new Metal tape formulation was still relatively new on the market so there was a parallel model, called CF 5500-2, that could handle Fe-Cr, CrO2 and Metal tapes. They were both avalable with silver or brown front panel. The only distinctive visual difference between the CF 5500 and CF 5500-2 was the square LED row on the CF 5500-2 opposed to the round LED's used by the CF 5500.


cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck