Is This a Marantz? - Mystery Solved

 

I see this tape recorder show up regularly on social media and people are getting excited about this "New Tape recorder" or this "Rare Marantz" tape recorder. Some go as far as comparing this to the genuinely rare marantz model 7700-2 (a completely different machine). Well, it's none of those. This reel-to-reel tape recorder is actually based on an old Soviet tape recorder, the Electronika 004 (Электроника-004 | see below) from 1983 which has its origins in the Electronika 003 (Электроника-003) from 1980. As one can see, the modifications are quite substantial and include both the external looks - wood side panels and custom-made front panel - but also technical modification. This deck was originally capable of 19cm/s speed and auto reverse function. Now it has added Quartz control, 38cm/s speed, Bias control, Remote control, Arduinio microcontroller, Time-Meter-Speed with separate red and green digital display, noise reduction and more.

All this is the work (and photos) of "VJstyle" who also builds his own tube amplifiers and horn loudspeakers all with this striking visual presentation. One can find on the internet two versions of this modified tape recorder, one is labelled Electronika 004 (just like the original is based upon) and one made to custom order, a one off marantz labelled version with marantz engraved side-panels and marantz logo on the front. One more important thing. This is not a Quadro recorder as many thinks judging by the 4 VU meters. Actually, if you zoom in, they are clearly labelled as PLAY VU METER on the top row and REC VU METER the lower two.  

More Classic Reel to Reel

CLASSIC minis - The Eastern Block

ELEKTRONIKA T1 003 Stereo - 1983 former USSR

Components include the ELEKTRONIKA MP-111C soft touch stereo cassette deck, ELEKTRONICA T-003 Stereo digital tuner, ELEKTRONICA 001 Stereo graphic equalizer, ELEKTRONIKA UK-003 Stereo amplifier, ELEKTRONIKA 25AS-328 two way loudspeaker and the ELEKTRONIKA EP-050 tangential turntable.

ORBIT 002 Stereo mini system - 1985 former USSR

Components include the ORBIT MP-121 C soft touch stereo 2 motor cassette deck with quartz control , ORBIT 3-002 stereo equalizer, ORBIT UP-002 C preamplifier with electronic volume control and the 50W/ch ORBIT UM-002 C power amplifier.

ELECTRONICA 3220 mini system - Romania

Components include the ELECTRONICA 3220 35W/ch stereo amplifier, ELECTRONICA analog tuner with 5 presets, ELECTRONICA MT 3220 stereo cassette deck with piano key control.

ORION mini hifi - 1983 Hungary

Components include the ORION ST 1025 digital tuner, ORION SE 1025B (second version with TESLA transistor power output) 20W/ch stereo amplifier, ORION SM 1025 stereo cassette deck with SAN-DUST head. Recommended loudspeakers were the ORION HS9 and HS 280 however the model shown in the picture is a prototype only "designer speaker"

RFT S 3000 mini system - 1983 former East Germany

Components include the RFT SK3000 HIFI soft touch control cassette deck, RFT ST3000 HIFI analog tuner, RFT SV3000 HIFI 13W/ch amplifier, RFT SM3000 HIFI stereo equalizer and the RFT B3010 HIFI 2 way bass reflex loudspeaker. The system was available in silver and black.

UNITRA Mini Line - 1982 Poland

Components include the UNITRA ETIUDA 411 D 2 motor logic controlled stereo cassette deck, UNITRA FAUST 211 D analog tuner, UNITRA FS 015 stereo equalizer, UNITRA TRAWIATA 311D 20W/ch stereo amplifier. The system was also sold under the NICOLA TESLA brand name. The UNITRA WS-510 D was a limited edition 40W/ch amplifier.

TESLA MINISYSTEM 710 A - 1983 former Czechoslovakia

Components include the TESLA T710A analog stereo tuner with 3 presets, TESLA Z710A 10W/ch stereo amplifier, TESLA M710A piano key stereo cassette deck, TESLA AR9206 loudspeakers and TESLA G710 (based on TESLA HC43) turntable.  

Read more: CLASSIC mini