GRUNDIG CF 5500 (1980) - High Fidelity DIN45500

This was the first 3 head cassette deck from Germany's largest consumer electronic manufacturer, GRUNDIG, and the second cassette deck "Made in Germany" with 3-head design, after the Thorens PC 650. It's a complex machine built around a 2 motor mechanism with one Quartz controlled capstan and 3 Ferrite heads. For best results with any tape the GRUNDIG CF 5500 is equipped with two test tones (10kHZ, 40Hz) with separate adjustments for left and right channel. Dolby circuits are also double (recording and playback). The CF 5500 can handle Normal, FeCr and CrO2 tapes. There is separate output level control and a dedicated headphone amplifier with left and right channel level adjustments. The cassette compartiment is open type with full logic controlled mechanism, digital tape counter and LED recording level meters. The new Metal tape formulation was still relatively new on the market so there was a parallel model, called CF 5500-2, that could handle Fe-Cr, CrO2 and Metal tapes. They were both avalable with silver or brown front panel. The only distinctive visual difference between the CF 5500 and CF 5500-2 was the square LED row on the CF 5500-2 opposed to the round LED's used by the CF 5500.

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PIONEER CT-F1250 (1979) - Fluroscan Master Recorder

When PIONEER designed the new (1979) CT-F1250, they not only raised the performance standards of high quality decks, they also lowered the standard price. Instead ot the two heads found in most metal cabale tape decks (in 1979), the CT-F1250 has three. They are not simply modified for this advancement, the CT-F1250 has been specially designed for Metal tapes. The new "small window" erase head makes a big difference in making sure all metal tapes are wiped completely clean. The Uni-Crystal Ferrite recording and playback heads give a greater frequency response and better wear-resistance than the ordinary ferrite and Sendust alloy heads you'll find on most other tape decks. Instead of the single capstan transport, the CT-F1250 has a closed-loop dual capstan, similar to that found in the remarkable RT-909 open-reel deck. This system keeps the tape in perfect contact with the heads at all times. So you are assured of getting everything that's on the tape. Nothing more, nothing less. What's more, the CT-F1250 ha sa Quartz Locked Direct Drive capstan motor that senses the slightest deviation in speed and automatically corrects it to keep wow and flutter down to an unbelievable 0.03%. 

It's engineering innovations like these that make the CT-F1250 so remarkable. But equally remarkable are the features that make the CT-F1250 so remarkable. Like the specially engineered Tape Calibration System that lets you quickly set bias level, Dolby adjustment, and record equalization for the best possible signal-to-noise ratio, the lowest distortion, and the best high frequency response. The 24 segment Fluroscan meter that works on PIONEER's own microprocessor to give a more accurate reading of what you're listening to. It even has Peak, Peak Hold, and Average Buttons that let you record without fear of overload. In addition the PIONEER CT-F1250 has a digital brain with a memory that controls four differnt memory functions. Plus pitch control. Mic/line mixing. Independent left/right input/output controls. And more.

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JVC DD-99 (1982) - Another Step Closer to Reality

When introduced in 1982 the JVC (Victor in Japan) DD-99 promised open reel sound quality with cassette convenience. To achieve this the DD-99 combines such high-technology JVC innovations as a Quartz-Lock, direct-drive Pulse Servo Motor with two new twists: a Double Servo and Multiplied Bridge Drive. Add them to a three-head design using an X-cut SA combination Rec/Play head and the B.E.S.T. tuning system, and you get peerless performance. The Quartz-Lock, direct-drive Pulse Servo Motor improves speed accuracy. Using a low-rpm direct-drive motor, the highly accurate tape transport of the DD-99 is simplicity itself. The coreless design completely eliminates jerky motion called "cogging" while speed accuracy is provided by means of a quartz-referred Double-Servo circuit, together with new "Multiplied Bridge Drive". 

The B.E.S.T. tuning system automatically compensates for any differences in Bias, Equalization and Sensitivity for flat response (from 40 to 12,500Hz +/-1dB) from any tape. It's done by means of a built-in computer and takes only about 30 seconds. Three heads - JVC's exclusive X-cut SA combination Rec/Play head (two heads in one housing), and two-gap SA Erase head - provide two very important benefits. One, it allows you to monitor your recordings as they're being made, and two, it means every head is provided with an optimum gap width - no compromises. The clearly discernible X-shaped core of the playback head eliminates the so-called contour effect, assuring smoother overall response. 

The two motor full-logic control tape transport features a tension stabilizing loop. The supply reel is connected to the takeup reel by means of a belt which supplies the proper hold-back tension throughout play or recording. It's an electrical system, no mechanical friction is emplyed to create tension. Therefore, tension is always uniform, and stability will not deteriorate with the passage od time.

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