Technical Details
Brand: Astrocom
Model:Marlux 407
Category:Mid High Fidelity
Application:Consumer
Electronics:Solid State
Equalization:NAB
Country of Manufacture:USA
Release dates:1970 - 1974
Original Price: $460
Tracks:1/4 Rec/PB
Speeds: 3 3/4, 7 1/2
Max Reel Size("): 7"
Number of heads: 4
Dimension: 21 × 14½ × 10 " (533 × 368 × 254 mm)
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: Stereo
# Motors: 3
Auto Reverse?:Yes
Voltage(s): 110-120v
Outputs: RCA, DIN
Frequency Response:7½ ips: 30 - 20,000 Hz. 3¾ ips: 40 - 16,000 Hz
Wow and Flutter:7½ ips: 0.07%. 3¾ ips: 0.11%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:better than 50dB
Sound quality rating:7 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 7/ 10
Weight: 40 Lbs
Additional Details
Description
The 407 tape deck was the first audio consumer product from a company previously devoted to industrial products. It was a high-quality,well-engineered machine with auto-reverse (on playback only), three motors and four heads (the fourth was for reverse playback).
Other features included sound with sound, echo effects, auto tape lifters, direct off-tape monitoring, solenoid-operated tape controls, auto shut-off and mic/line mixing.
In the opinion of one of our members that owns four of these, you can count on the fact that the transport will likely have some issues that need to be sorted out.
The solenoid operated functions have a small delay, which is common with some of these earlier technologies like the Pioneer RT 2022. Capstan motor only turns on when play or record are engaged
In an Astrocom 1970 advertisement…
This is what the experts say about the Astrocom Marlux 407
Audio December 1969
Every once in a while we come across a product which so clearly stands out in its class that we must evaluate it relative to much more expensive equipment, otherwise only superlatives would be found on this page. The fact is that Astrocom/Marlux has produced a terrific tape deck.
High Fidelity May 1970
Especially notable are its low wow and flutter, low distortion, excellent signal-to-noise ratio, absolute meter accuracy and smooth extended response for both playback of prerecorded tapes and for record/playback of tapes made on it.
Additional Info
Bias frequency: 90 kHz ±5 kHz / Input impedance: 2 lines / 100k ohms. 1 mic / 10k ohms / Output impedance: line / 150k ohms. headphones / 8 ohms / Output voltage: 0.775V at 0 VU / Fast wind time: 90 seconds / 1800ft tape / Quarter-track stereo, auto reverse playback only