Technical Details
Brand: Saba
Model:600 SH
Category:Mid High Fidelity
Application:Consumer
Electronics:Solid State
Equalization:NAB
Country of Manufacture:Germany
Release dates:1967 - 1971
Tracks:1/2 Rec/PB
Speeds: 3 3/4, 7 1/2
Max Reel Size("): 8"
Number of heads: 4
Dimension: 610 x 400 x 190mm
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: Stereo
# Motors: 4
Auto Reverse?:No
Voltage(s): 110-120v, 220-240v, Multi
Outputs: DIN
Frequency Response:30Hz - 20.000Hz @ 7.5 ips - 19 cm/s
Wow and Flutter:.1% @ 19 cm/s
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:54 dB @ 19 cm/s
Sound quality rating:7 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 7/ 10
Weight: 25kg
Additional Details
Description
Very futuristic and ambitiously-designed, from the late 1960’s, it seems that the Saba 600 SH may not have been exported to either the UK or USA, although it did have a switchable voltage selector. Selling for almost 2,000 DM in 1969, the 600 was not that well known by consumers, even in Germany, where retailers that stocked higher end decks like the Philips Pro 12, did not dare to market the super expensive 600. It featured 5 heads, based on a 2 track system with an option for a wired remote control. Not surprisingly it used two Papst motors for the supply and take up with a relay-controlled drive. Precision-made in cast aluminum and wood, the 600SH was twice as expensive as its Revox equivalent, the G36. Logic controls were provided for transport with the entire drive-assembly noise extremely low. The machine featured auto-reverse record and playback (half-track) with an additional quarter-track replay head. Auto reverse would have been quite new at this time and it seems quite odd on a 1/2 track machine. The owners manual indicates that you can record mono in both directions. In the mid-1960s, quarter track stereo was solidly set to be the consumer preference so this machine seems to show little forward thinking with auto reverse half track mono.
A mixing console was also included with playback and record levels, bass, treble and slide controls with reverb and multiplay.
Braking (Three versions)
The first iteration has 2 small brake shoes that are about 6-8 cm away from the plates. The second version has brake shoes that sit almost directly on the plate and are slightly curved, with 3x as much braking surface. The final production used brake bands like certain Tandberg models like the 20a. Some other variations on the 600 were 600 SH-1, 600 SH-1S and the MS 2-38, a studio recorder
Additional Info
Year 1969
Price when new (in Germany) 2,000 DM
Track system Half-track stereo, auto reverse (quarter-track playback)
Heads Five – 2 x erase, 2 x record/playback. 1 x quarter-track playback
Motors Four
Maximum reel size 22cm / 8½ ”
Tape speeds 3¾ and 7½ ips
Echo with the choice of 2 time constants (depending on tape speed)
Separate track pushbuttons for record and replay
Four channel mixer with sliding controls
Frequency response adjustment during record with separate bass and treble controls in each mixer channel
Four reverberation controls for use with optional reverberation unit
Rear panel DIN connections
External monitor amplifier
Radio
4 x microphone
Headphones
Remote control
Optional
Reverberation unit
SABA colour slide synchronizer