Technical Details
Brand: Ferrograph
Model:2N
Category:Vintage
Application:Semi-Pro
Electronics:Tube
Equalization:Other
Country of Manufacture:United Kingdom
Release dates:1954 - 1957
Tracks:1/2 Rec/PB
Speeds: 3 3/4, 7 1/2, 15
Max Reel Size("): 7"
Number of heads: 2
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: dual-track-mono
# Motors: 3
Auto Reverse?:No
Voltage(s): 220-240v
Frequency Response:7½ ips: 50Hz -10kHz ±3db
Wow and Flutter:less than 0.2 % at 7½ ips
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:200H to 12 KHz, better than 50 db
Sound quality rating:8 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 7/ 10
Additional Details
Description
The Series 2 was released around 1954 and was the first Ferrograph for the domestic market.
For the next 15 years or so, right up to the release of the series 7 in the late 1960s, all Ferrograph models featured the same large, circular function knob (the design of which changed only slightly).
One selected the desired function and activated it via a small adjacent lever. A spring loaded button next to it would stop the machine with a loud ZINGG!
This was NOT a subtle activity. On my Ferrograph, considerable effort was required to turn the function selector knob, even though it had been well lubricated. The transport has sometimes been described as “Agricultural”
The VU meter was for record level only. The needle sat hard over to the right until record was selected, then slowly swung to zero. One could then adjust the meter to absolute zero via the trim-pot directly beneath it before checking record levels.
To the left of the meter were the bass and treble (playback) controls and to the right, the gain control for both record and playback. The knob on the far right marked aux socket was in fact a dummy, and unscrewed to reveal an octal auxiliary socket.
The power supply and audio amplifier sat on the bottom of the case and could be quite easily accessed. The tape deck was held down by two screws and hinged at the back.
By removing the screws the entire deck could be lifted up like the hood of a car. All connections were via the two purple fabric-covered braided cords..
The single Goodmans 10″ x 6″ speaker sat on the right hand side of the case, next to the power supply and amplifier, which produced 2.5 watts RMS.
At the time of acquisition, the machine had been happily running on original components for almost 40 years! Since then it has been re-capped, fitted with new tubes, a new VU calibration pot and counter belt. It also underwent a thorough clean and head realignment.
Tube complement: 3 x EF86 (6267); 2 x EL84 (6BQ5); ECC81 (12AT7); EZ80 (6V3)
Maximum reel size: 8¼”
Tape speeds: 15 & 7½ ips ( 7½ & 3¾ ips for the Model 2A)
Dimensions: 18½ x 17½ x 9¾” ( 470 x 444.5 x 248 mm)
Weight: 50 lbs (27.3kg)