Technical Details
Brand: Philips
Model:EL3530
Category:Vintage
Application:Consumer
Electronics:Tube
Country of Manufacture:Netherlands
Release dates:1952 - 1955
Tracks:1/2 Rec/PB
Speeds: 3 3/4
Max Reel Size("): 5"
Number of heads: 2
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: dual-track-mono
Voltage(s): 220-240v
Frequency Response:100 - 7kHz
Sound quality rating:4 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 5/ 10
Additional Details
Description
The EL3530 series was, according to my sources, the very first Philips tape recorder that was produced for the consumer market. It was dubbed the ‘Maestro Junior’ and came in either vertical (with speaker above the deck, left) or horizontal (speaker to the right of the deck) modes (see additional images). Various models were produced with sub-designations (EL350/10, /21 / 22 etc to signify minor enhancements or configurations)
The Maestro Junior wasn’t a success however, probably due to its excessive price – a
machine like this that cost about 700 guilders in 1953 (880 DM in Germany) was considered
to be total luxury. It wasn’t until the appearance of the simpler and cheaper EL3510
that there was significant interest for the domestic tape recorder in Holland.
This was a single speed (3¾ ips) and dual- track mono machine with a maximum reel size of 5″.
Valves used were:
EF40: AF microphone pre-amplifier
EF42:AF pre-amplifier
EL41: AF Output stage
EM34: record level-indicator
AZ41: Rectifier
Additional Info
Hum & noise: -40dB / Bias frequency: 50kHz / Rewind speed: 180 seconds for 180 m tape / Audio output power: 5 watts / Speaker: 6″ (150mm) circular / Inputs: microphone (2mV / 500KΩ) radio (2mV / 500KΩ) / Outputs: external speaker (2.5 watts), external amplifier 1.5V / 200Ω / Dimensions: 20.9 x 13.4 x 7.3inches (530 x 340 x 185 mm) / Weight: 26.4 lbs (12 kg) / half-track mono