Technics RS-1500
Technics Model RS-1500 2 Track Reel to Reel. I purchased this player in an auction. It turns on, and middle knob rules when I play with the switches. I cannot guarantee functionality and have to sell for parts because I cannot test it. I do not know how this works. Please see all photos, there are some scribing on it that states “Florida state university” There’s another photo where the wheel shows the little black piece missing, it might hold a reel? Again, I do not know how this function, so I cannot guarantee. As you can see in the photos, the buttons and player look like they are in good shape, it seems to have been taken care of by the University. This model has the rosewood veneered side panels, one of the sides has some scuff marks. Since this item is sold “for parts/not working” and is very heavy, i am selling the player AS IS and i cannot accept returns because it’s too heavy and costly to ship back. Please see photos, this description matches what you are receiving.
Technical Details
Additional Details
Description
Perhaps trying to make up for lost time and to show that Technics was in fact a real contender in reel to reel tape recorders, they released 7 models, starting in late 1977 and the remainder in 1978. The RS-1500 came fiirst and shortly thereafter the RS-1506, RS-1520, RS-1700, RS-1800, RS-10A02 “R&B Series”
The RS-1500 is a half track Record/Play with switchable quarter track head using the RP-2224 headlock. It has the Isolated Loop tape path developed by Technics with really low wow and flutter (.018%) that also keeps down modulation noise.
A a very smooth and stable tape path using a large 34mm capstan and 2 pinch rollers combined with an electronic tension control system completes this transport. Tape tension on the Isolated Loop tape path is low compared to many other machines, so for those using older tapes with rippled edges, this may not be the ideal.
A Quartz-Locked Direct-Drive Capstan Motor completed the well-designed assembly.
Logic controlled electronic braking, which applies reverse torque to the motor prior to deploying a mechanical brake, results in very smooth transition between function selections and virtually no tape stretch.
Control functions included a three position speed control, remote timer, start, meter sensitivity, mike attenuator, source tape monitoring (separate for each track), three switch positions for bias and equalization, record track selection levers, and a tape counter indicating minutes and seconds at 38cm/s per second 10½ ”
Two good quality VU’s were fitted, but transients still under-read appreciably and no peak indicators were supplied. The recorder could also be used with a 24V DC power supply.
Additional Info
Year 1977
Price When New US $1450 – UK £1000- Australia $1500
Track System Half-track stereo (with addition quarter-track playback head)
Heads (4) erase, half-track record and playback, quarter-track playback
Motors 3 electronic governed DC motors
Maximum Reel Size 10½ ”
Frequency Response (3dB)
3¾ ips (9,5 cm/s) 20-15.000 Hz
7½ ips (19 cm/s) 20-25.000 Hz
15 ips (38 cm/s) 30Hz – 30kHz
Wow & Flutter
3¾ ips 0.12%
7½ ips 0.04%
15 ips 0.02%
Signal to Noise Ratio (NAB weighted)
3¾ ips 64 dB
7½ ips 66 dB
15 ips 68 dB
Rewind Speed 2 mins 15 seconds for 3600ft on 10½ ” reel
Stereo Separation better than 50dB
Harmonic Distortion 0.8%
Erase Ratio -68.5dB
Inputs mic 0.25 mV, 4.7 Kohm (jack plug)
Line 60 mV (phono plugs)
Outputs 600 mV (phono plugs)
Dimensions 18 x 17.5 x 10.25″ (456 x 446 x 258mm)
Weight 57.2 lbs (26kg)
Options
Takeup reel- 10″ RP-10A
Remote Controls- RP-9690 Wired, RP-070 Wireless
Spare Head Blocks- RP-2224, RP-2422, RP-2224SX, RP-2422SX
DBX Noise Reduction- RP-9024
Portable Case- RP-9100
Battery Cases- RP-099 (40 D cells), RP-2
Battery Adapter RP-30
Rack Mounts RP-9130
Technics isolated loop system
The Technics single capstan system offered advantages over double capstan as variations in the speed of two capstans and the pressure of the two pinch rollers to maintain the desired temp tape tension makes speed and tension adjustment complex and difficult often increasing the tape tension which is not desirable. The relatively long distance between the two capstans over which the which the tape must stretch contributes to higher modulation noise and scrape flutter. In contrast the Technics single capstan system maintains exactly the same speed and pinch roller pressure on both sides of the capstan. The wide contact area between the pinch rollers and the single extra-large capstan allows for lower tape tension, about 80 g and very steady because the tape path between the capstan and the reversing roller is relatively short. So modulation noise, wow & flutter and level fluctuations are dramatically reduced. Add to this the quartz locked slow speed direct capstan drive system, aided by tension controlled direct drive reel motors and air dampened tension rollers the Technics isolated loop system achieves excellent overall performance.