Technical Details
Brand: Crown
Model:800 B Deck
Category:Super High Fidelity
Application:Consumer
Electronics:Solid State
Equalization:NAB
Country of Manufacture:USA
Release dates:1960 - 1962
Original Price: $1295
Tracks:1/2 Rec/PB
Speeds: 3 3/4, 7 1/2, 15
Max Reel Size("): 10.5"
Number of heads: 3
Dimension: 17.5 x 19 x 8.5
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: Stereo
# Motors: 3
Voltage(s): 110-120v
Outputs: 1/4" Headphone
Sound quality rating:9 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 5/ 10
Weight: 55 Lbs
Additional Details
Description
A very excellent sounding machine introduced in 1960, The B 800 can be identified by the slightly unusual piano key function switches and the serial number always starts with B. Paired up with 2 RP-3 tube preamplifiers, it’s a really great sounding machine.
This machine has 3 issues or design compromises that would be much improved, on the C deck that followed two years later. The heads are attached to the removable headcover making it hard to do alignment. There are 2 independent solenoids that operate the pinch roller and the tape lifters which was unnecessary and would be combined on the C production. The piano key function switches can sometimes be problematic 60 years later and possibly unfixable.