AIWA XK-S9000 (1991) - The Masterpiece

 

Introduced in 1991, the XK-S9000 has it all, from Dolby S Noise Reduction to a built-in D/A converter and remote control. The AIWA K-S9000 features a 4-motor dual capstan drive mechanism. When the cassette is loaded (this happens automatically when the cassette is dropped into the door) it is clamped agains a resilient pad to damp shell vibration, a system called by AIWA Super AMTS (anti-modulation tape stabiliser). The deck features 3-head design, with amorphous heads for both recording and playback with "stress-free 6N copper coils" for both the recording and playback heads. The heads are mounted in a ultra-stiff headbase casting that is mounted on three points to increase stability and a head stabilizer is used to reduce vibration of the head assembly itself. 

The display has dual, 24-segment, peak level indicators while for calibration the deck has built-in 400-Hz and 10-kHz test tones for bias and level and an additional 3-point setting for Rec-EQ. Another unique feature is the BTOR system, Blank Tape Optimized Recording. There are two record buttons on the front, one marked "REC" and the other "B-REC". With B-REC the erase head is deactivated when using a virgin tape. Aiwa claims that the result is  a well-dampened sound, sound expansion, less distortion and clear sound reproduction. The AIWA XK-S9000 has twin (external) power supply and built-in 18-bit linear dual D/A converters and 8xoversampling digital filter that allows direct optical or coaxial connection of a CD player. Needless to say, the XK-S9000 has Dolby B- and C-type noise reduction but it also sports Dolby S NR and defeatble HX Pro system. Frequency response is 13Hz - 21/22/23kHz (normal/chrome/metal) -20VU +/-3dB | Dimensions: 469(with side panels)*151*415 mm | Weight 14kg. 

More Classic Cassette Deck

marantz Model 2600 (1978) - A Powerful Monster

 

The marantz Model 2600 from 1978 was the most powerful stereo receiver by marantz (owned by Superscope at this time) and it was almost the most powerful receiver from the "monster receiver" era. (The most powerful was the Technics SA-1000). The Model 2600 is an updated version (with added Quartz Locking tuner circuit) of the previous Model 2500. Powered by a Toroidal Dual Power Supply, Turbo-Flow heat dissipation system, 9 kHz 18 dB per Octave Bessel-derived high filter, 15 Hz 18dB per Octave Butterworth-derived low filter and variable tone turnover points will deliver 300 Watts per channel into 8 ohms, Minimum Continous Power from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more than 0.03% THD. The FM section features Quartz-Lock tuning system, Phase Locked Loop multiplex demodulator, 5-Gang dual gate MOSFET FM front end as well as a 2-inch Oscilloscope Display from Hitachi. True Power is the capability of a receiver to deliver more power into 4 ohms than into 8 ohms according to FTC regulation thus the Model 2600 will deliver 400 Watts per channel into 4 ohms. This huge receiver measuring 490*177*438 mm and with a weight of 32 kg was designed in the U.S.A. and produced in Japan. It's original sale price was 2998 DM in Germany. An optional walnut veneer cabinet, the WC-124 was also available.

AIWA AD-6800 (1977) - Flat Response Tuning System

The AIWA AD-6800 is a two motor, 3 Head deck ... that actually has one motor and two heads. For the all essential tape transport there is a 38 Pulse FG Servo Motor combined with a big flywheel while the second motor is only for the automatic cassette loading system. The 3 Head designation seen on the front panel of the deck is not for what we usually know, a deck with monitoring capabilities, there's no Monitor function on this deck. Actually the deck is a two head deck (Ultra-hard long-life FGH - ferrite head) but it has a 3rd head, called Test head which is only active during the recording of the test tones that helps you to adjust the BIAS for all tape types. This system is called by AIWA - FRTS (Flat Response Tuning System). Test signals from two built-in oscillators of 400 Hz and 8 kHz are simultaneously recorded and monitored in order to adjust the bias after setting the Test Head Azimuth. This procedure optimizes the performance characteristics of all types and all brands of cassette tape assuring high output, low noise, wide dynamic range and exceptional clarity. Another unusual but nice feature of the deck is the double level meter with one indicator for VU level and one for Peak levels (with Peak hold) Speciifcation: Wow and flutter 0.05% (WRMS) | Frequency response 20-19000 Hz (FeCr) | Dimensions 450*162*335 mm | Weight 10 kg)