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.
