Telefunken HC 990 (1989) | 3-Head HX-Pro

A Late-1980s 3-Head Approach. The HC 990 is best viewed in the context of the end of the cassette era's development. By 1989, cassette decks had already reached a high level of maturity. The HC 990 therefore does not need to be presented as a revolutionary or exceptionally sophisticated machine. Instead, its interest lies in how Telefunken distilled the important features of a 3-head recording deck into a relatively focused package.

Telefunken HC 990 Main Specifications

Type: 3-head recording/playback/erase system.

Transport: 2 electronically controlled DC motors

Tape Types: Fe, Cr and metal. 

Frequency response Metal tape 20-18.000Hz

Electronic tape-type detection with adjustable bias fine control.

Noise Reduction: Dolby B/C NR and Dolby HX Pro.

Search & Control: Microprocessor-controlled Music Search System (MSS)

Digital counter, zero-stop memory, repeat function and record mute.

Display: Multifunction fluorescent display with digital indicators and real-time recording-level peak meter.

Dimensions (W/H/D) 440x116x290mm

Weight: 3,8kg

System remote control - RC90

The result is a deck aimed at users who wanted the benefits of proper tape monitoring and recording adjustment without necessarily moving into the much more elaborate territory occupied by some of the era's premium cassette decks. Telefunken HC 990: A Focus on the Essentials. The three-head configuration is the defining feature of the HC 990. Separate record, playback and erase heads allow the deck to monitor the actual signal being recorded on tape, rather than simply monitoring the source signal. This makes the HC 990 particularly relevant to users interested in making and evaluating their own recordings. At the same time, Telefunken avoided making the deck unnecessarily complicated. The feature set is focused on functions that are genuinely useful when recording and playing cassettes. Practical Recording Features. Bias fine control provides adjustment for different tape characteristics, while electronic detection selects the appropriate setting for Fe, Cr or metal tapes. Dolby B/C noise reduction is provided alongside Dolby HX Pro, which continuously monitors the frequency spectrum during recording and adjusts the bias to improve high-frequency output and reduce distortion. Electronic Control Without Excess. Logic Control operates the transport through electronic pushbuttons, while the digital counter, fluorescent display, memory function and Music Search System add practical convenience. The HC 990 also includes record mute, repeat and timer functions, but the overall specification remains centered around its core cassette-recording capabilities. Original sale price in Germany: 799 DM 

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