Technics RS-1500/1506 (1976) - Professional in Every Sense

 

Both performance and operational advantages of the "Isolated Loop" tape path introduced in the Technics RS-1500US and RS-1506US qualify these professional units not only state-of-the-art, but as the begining of a new technological generation. To realize the full potential possible with this design, there was no choice but to employ an all direct-drive tape transport system, with quartz-controlled, phase-locked servo control. Electronically as well, these units were built as an uncompromising challenge to tape decks now available. Separate microphone amplifier, recording amplifier, mixing amplifier and three-way bias and equalization controls all serve to help assure flawless recording and playback under any circumstances. Unique in tape recorder technology, the capstan of the RS-1500US is 34 mm in diameter, for increased tape contact and less possibility of slippage. 

By means of two pinch rollers in contact with the same capstan, an isolated, closed-loop system is formed. The direct-drive oncept was originally introduced by Technics in 1969, for use in high-grade turntables, and was adopted in the Technics RS-275US cassette deck in 1970. In 1976 with the introduction of the the RS-1500US, direct-drive is applied to a tape transport system (the capstan, flywheel and motor all rotate as a uniform entity) ​The direct-drive principle extends to the reel motors, also. Brushless DC motors of very high torque, with electronic commutation, are unitized with the diecast reel tables. The RS-1500US is designed for 2-track recording and playback as well as 4-track playback of tapes made on other decks. The RS-1506US is designed for 4-track recording and playback as well as 2-track playback of tapes made on other decks. Technical data: Tape speed: 38 cm/s, 19 cm/s, and 9.5 cm/s Frequency response: 30-30,000 Hz (38 cm/s) 20-25,000 Hz (19 cm/s) 20-15,000 Hz (9.5 cm/s) Dimensions 45.6 x 44.6 x 25,8 cm Weight 25 kg.

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FIDELA by Nakamichi - The Origin of Nakamichi

 

Nakamichi was founded by Etsuro Nakamichi in 1948 as Daiichi Onkyo Co. Ltd. which in 1958 became Nakamichi Research Corporation Ltd. and it was later headed by the founder's younger brother Niro Nakamichi. The company specialised in manufacturing portable radios, tonearms, speakers, microphones (Primo Dynamic) and communications equipment but it was only after 1972 that they started using the Nakamichi brand name. 

In 1951 they have developed one of the first open reel tape recorders in Japan under the Magic Tone brand, these were initially sold as a kit. In 1957 they developed and manufactured proprietary magnetic tape heads and started manufacturing reel to reel recorders, for US distribution as OKI 555 (1962), and under the FIDELA brand name. In 1965 they have launched the Fidela 807 3-head Open Reel Stereo Tape Deck, also rebadged as harman/kardon TD-3 and KLH Model 41. They also made one of their first cassette recorders as Fidela NR-11 in 1967. Because of its experience in manufacturing magnetic tape heads and equipment, in 1967 the company started making tape decks for a number of foreign manufacturers including Harman Kardon, KLH, Advent, Fisher, ELAC, Sylvania, Concord, Ampex and Motorola. (Fidela model range: 11, 22, 33, 55, Studio 77, Studio 77D, 300D, 300DS, 720, 780, 807, 860, 920, 960)

Magic Tone (1951) 2-Head | 4.5kg

Fidela 11 2-Head | 40Hz-15Khz | 6w mono

Fidela 33 (1964) 2-Head | wow&flutter 0.12% | 30Hz-18kHz | s/n 50dB | 2x3W

OKI 555 / Fidela 55 (1964) 2-Head | wow&flutter 0.12% | 30Hz-18kHz | s/n 50dB | 2x7W

Fidela Studio 77 (1964) 2-Head | wow&flutter 0.12% | 20Hz-22kHz | s/n 50dB | 2x6W

Fidela Studio 300D (1960) 2-Head | wow&flutter 0.15% | 50Hz-15kHz | s/n 50dB

Fidela 720 (1966) 2-Head | wow&flutter 0.15% | 40Hz-18kHz | s/n 50dB

Fidela GemSonic 807 (1965) 3-Head | 3-speed | 30Hz-20kHz | wow&flutter 0.15% | s/n 50dB | 300x150x210 mm | 7kg

Fidela 920 (1967) 4-Head | wow&flutter 0.15% | 40Hz-18kHz | s/n 50dB

Fidela NR-11 (1967)

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PIONEER CarryCom system (1983) - A New Concept in Compact Stereo.

 

Pioneer's CarryCom System was a new concept in compact stereo components. It packs like a portable, but unpacks into individual components - speakers systems, versatile stereo FM/AM tuner/amp combo and fully-equipped stereo cassette deck. Together they add up to integrated component system, just like home hi-fi's. When sold as complete system the following combinations were available: CK-3, CK-W3, CK-5, CK-7T and CK-R11. Your options however are not limited to these "ready made" combinations as the CarryCom System is a modular system and the components are designed so you can choose exactly the right combination of units that best matches your needs - and your budget. These are the components that you could choose from: 

TUNER-AMP: FA-C3 tuner-amp with analog AM/FM Stereo | FA-C5 tuner-amp with analog AM/FM Stereo, 5-band Graphic Equalizer | FA-C7T tuner-amp with Quartz-PLL Synthesizer preset SW/MW/FM Stereo tuner, 5-band Graphic Equalizer. All models feature the same power output: continuous average power 12.5 W/ch, min. at 6 ohm from 60-20.000Hz with no more than 5% total harmonic distortion and the same size, 225x110x150 mm. There was an additional Power Amplifier as well with continuous power output of 30 watts per channel, min. at 6 ohms from 40 to 20.000Hz with no more than 5% total harmonic distortion. Size: 225x110x192 mm, weight: 5kg.

CASSETTE DECK: CT-C3 stereo cassette deck with Dolby noise reduction and Automatic Level Control | CT-C8 stereo auto-reverse cassette deck with full-logic control, auto tape selector (Metal/Chrome/Normal), music search, Dolby noise reduction | CT-C9W stereo double cassette deck with 2+2 motor transport, double speed tape copy, relay play, full-logic control. The CT-C3 and CT-C8 have the same size 225x110x150 mm, and can be powered by any of the tuner-amplifiers or with 10 D-type batteries. The CT-C9W dimensions are 225x110x200 mm and can be operated from the mains or external DC: 12-15V.

SPEAKER SYSTEMS: CS-C3 2-way bass reflex with 12cm cone woofer and 2.5cm Ceramic Tweeter, 6ohm, 50-20.000Hz, 45W, 168x226x150 mm | CS-C7 2-way rear open type with acoustic dampers, 15x21cm Pioneer exclusive Flat Woofer and 9cm cone tweeter, 6ohm, 40-20.000Hz, 100W, 168x226x150mm | CS-C11 3-way rear open type with acoustic dampers, 15x21cm Pioneer exclusive Flat Woofer, 9cm cone tweeter and Ribbon Supertweeter, 6ohm, 30-50.000Hz, 100W, 168x336x150 mm.

Additional components are the PL-C7 belt-drive turntable, AC-C7 accessory case, AD-C23 carrying handle and mounting set.

The Pioneer exclusive FLAT WOOFER covers the front panel of the speaker enclosure edge to edge. You get much more bass in far less space. All the center is a cone tweeter to handle the mid and high frequencies with maximum clarity. A port on the rear, and special acoustic dampers on one side of each enclosure add dimension and authority to the sound. In the 3-way CS-C11 systems, superhighs are handled by the Ribbon Supertweeter.

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ASC AS 3001 (1982) - Made in Germany.

 

The AS3001 was one of the most sophisticated cassette deck ever. It was Made in Germany and it was introduced in 1982 as the successor of the AS3000. They are basically the same recorder with the AS3001 replacing the High-Com noise reduction found on the AS3000 with the more common Dolby B and C noise reduction. ASC (Audio System Componenten) was originally founded in 1964 and it was specializing in language training systems based on tape recorders from Braun. When Braun seized production of tape recorders ASC started the development of their own tape recorder models. One can clearly see the stylistic and technical similarities with Braun in their early products. The AS3001 features a 3-Direct Drive motor PAPST mechanism mounted in a die-cast base for highest stability. It is built as a dual-capstan transport with 3-head (Sendust) configuration. For best results with any tape type the AS3001 features fine BIAS/Level adjustment for 6 different tape types (normal, 2xchrome, fecr, 2xmetal). This system is called RALF (Response Adjust Level Frequency). The AS3001 also features a digital tape counter with various memory functions, pitch control, fluorescent level meter, microphone input with built-in mixing possibility and headphone output with level control. Technical data: Wow and Flutter 0.07% (DIN) | Frequency response 20Hz - 18/20/20/22 kHz (normal/chrome/ferrochrom/metal) | Dimensions: 443x130x335 mm | Weight: 13kg | ASF 6010 infrared remote sold separately | Original sale price in Germany: 3.298 DM (January 1984)

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Nakamichi 1000 Tri-Tracer (1973) - World's First 3-head deck.

 

According to the Nakamichi literature, the 1000 Tri-Tracer introduced in 1973 was the World First 3-head cassette deck. On the other hand the SONY TC-177SD was also the World First 3-head cassette deck, so it's up to you to decide which was "The First"... One thing is for sure, the 1000 Tri-Tracer was a technological tour de force. Tri-Tracer is the designation employed by Nakamichi Research Inc. to describe a new generation of cassette recorders. Three completely separate heads - erase, record, playback - afford off-the-tape monitoring, but more importantly, extend flat frequency response to beyond 20,000 Hz. The record head is of Hi-Mu ferrite with five micron gap to insure optimum tape saturation. The playback head has a special Hi-Mu hard permalloy core with titanium film laminations permitting a gap width of only 0.7 microns, thus extending high frequency response. Also, proper head azimuth alignment is crucial to extend high frequency response. Nakamichi provides a foolproof means for achieving precise alignment everytime. Two small LED's on the panel flash alternately when the head alignment is properly set. A 400 Hz test tone oscillator is incorporated as an aid in adjusting the azimuth of the recording head and as a reference tone for adjusting the record/playback level of different tape formulations. 

Tape is driven through a closed-loop, dual capstan system by a pulse-controlled D.C. servo motor which maintains consstant speed over a wide range of line voltage and frequency variations. Two large staggered flywheels smooth out any residual speed irregularities and insure extremely low wow and flutter. In addition to the standard mic inputs, a third blend mic input is provided. Each input has its own level control thus permitting professional quality mixing. The blend mic is particularly helpful in highlighting solo instruments and voices. Technical data: Wow and Flutter less than 0.1% (DIN 45507 Weighted Peak) | Frequency response: 35-20,000 Hz (+/-3 dB Chrome) | Dimensions 515x305x240 mm | Weight 17,7 kg. Optional accesory: RM10 wired remote control, flightcase. Original sale price: 2798 DM, 1100 USD.

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