Technical Details
Brand: EMI
Model:Voicemaster 65A
Category:Mid High Fidelity
Application:Consumer
Electronics:Tube
Country of Manufacture:United Kingdom
Release dates:1961 - 1964
Tracks:1/4 Rec/PB
Speeds: 3 3/4, 7 1/2
Max Reel Size("): 7"
Number of heads: 3
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: Mono - Full Track
Voltage(s): 220-240v
Frequency Response:60-15,000 cps ±3dB at 7½ ips. 60-10,000 cps ±3dB at 3¾ ips
Wow and Flutter:less than 0.15% at 7½ ips, less than 0.3% at 3¾ ips
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:better than 45dB unweighted.
Sound quality rating:5 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 5/ 10
Additional Details
Description
Made by EMI subsidiary The Gramophone Company Limited of Hayes, Middlesex, the Voicemaster 65A was a large machine with modern styling. The cabinet contained two speakers, a 9¾ x 4½ inch elliptical and a 2½ inch tweeter. The internal tube amplifier produced 4.5 watts.
It was a four-track, mono recorder with two speeds, three motors and three heads along with separate Mullard-style record/playback electronics for off-tape monitoring during recording.
An extremely unusual feature of the EMI 98840 deck (which was also used on Simon’s SP5) was that it could be adapted to play records. An auxiliary drive shaft was supplied onto which a turntable could be lowered with the accompanying tone arm slotting into another receptacle on the deck. (This apparently was only offered on export models).
Read the detailed vintage test report below for a full evaluation of this equipment.
Additional Info
Fast spooling: 90 seconds for 1800ft in either direction / Input sensitivity: microphone 2 mV, radio 500 mV / Outputs: loudspeakers (3 -5 ohms) self-muting. and low level adjustable by replay volume control up to 500mV at 27 K ohms / Bias frequency: 65 Kc / s / Speaker(s): 9¾ x 4½ inch elliptical (3.5 ohms impedance at 1,000 cps) and 2½ inches round (4 ohms at 1,000 cps) / Power output: 4.5 watts for 10% distortion into 3.5 ohm load / Dimensions: 24¼ x 16¾ x 9½ inches (616 x 425 x 241mm) / Weight: 46 lbs (20.9 kg) / quarter-track mono