12 March 2022

DUAL C-844 (1981) - The Dual Speed Dual

cassette deck

The Dual C844 is a two-speed, three-head cassette deck introduced in October 1981. The C844 is equipped with a 2-motor solenoid operated 2-speed Dual-Capstan mechanism in an open cassette mechanism called by Dual "Direct Load & Lock Mechanism". The cassette mechanism also features two infrared light barrier that will stop the cassette, the moment you reach out for the tape and after reinserting the tape, playback will start automatically. There is also a transparent head cover that opens automatically the moment you switch the unit on. The deck is using Sendust heads in a 3-head configuration and it can handle all known tape types featuring a 6-position manual tape selector. The deck is factory adjusted for the following tapes: Fe position for BASF Super LH, FeI position for Maxell UD-XL I, Cr position for BASF Chromdioxid II, Cr II position for Maxell UD-XL II, FeCr position for SONY Fe-Cr and Met position for 3M Scotch Metafine tape. Obviously, any quality tape from established manufacturers can be used with great success. The highlight of the Dual C844 is the possibility to make recordings at a speed of 9.5 cm/s (double of the standard speed) for greater dynamics, extended frequency range and low drop-out rate. In this case the manufacturer published a 20-24000 Hz frequency response with all tape types and an overall 2 dB increase in signal-to-noise ratio. At standard speed (4.75 cm/s) the frequency response is as follows: Standard tape 20-17000 Hz, Chrome tape 20-18000 Hz, FeCr tape 20-19500 Hz and Metal tape 20-20000 Hz. The C844 incorporates both the normal Dolby-B and the more effective Dolby-C noise reduction systems and an MPX filter for recording from FM Stereo broadcasts. 

The beautiful large display section features a 4-digit Digital counter with two memory setting and two large VU-meters complemented by 4 LED peak level indicators. Further comfort functions include, music search, repeat, variable fader and separate input level control for source (line/DIN) and microphone with front microphone inputs. A very rare infrared remote-control system also existed. This system consisted of the RE 122 infrared eye that had to be connected to the deck and the RC 144 hand-held unit. This system is not even mentioned in the user manual and it was actually manufactured by German company Teladi. This deck was replaced first by the slightly modified and updated to Direct Drive motor C846 in 1985, while the last version was the CC 1462 from 1986. Both models still featuring the double speed operation. Technical data: Wow and Flutter for 4.75 cm/s: 0.07% (DIN)/0.035% (WRMS) and for 9.5 cm/s 0.04% (DIN)/0.02% (WRMS) | Dimensions: 440x112x355 mm | Weight: 9kg | Original sale price in Germany: 1,198 DM | While Dual is a German company this deck was "Made under Dual Specifications in Japan"

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