Technical Details
Brand: Winston
Model:Thoroughbred
Category:Vintage
Application:Portable
Electronics:Tube
Equalization:IEC
Country of Manufacture:United Kingdom
Release dates:1958 - 1961
Tracks:1/2 Rec/PB
Speeds: 3 3/4, 7 1/2, 15
Max Reel Size("): 3"
Number of heads: 2
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: Mono - Half-Track
Auto Reverse?:No
Voltage(s): 220-240v
Frequency Response:( 3 dB): 50Hz - 16kHz at 15 ips 50Hz - 12kHz at 7½ ips 50Hz - 7kHz at 3¾ ips
Wow and Flutter:less than .15% at 7½ ips
Sound quality rating:5 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 5/ 10
Additional Details
Description
Like many so many of the small British tape recorder manufacturers of the late 1950s, Winston
Electronics Ltd of Shepperton, Middlesex, built their recorders around an existing transport mechanism – in the case of the Thoroughbred it was the Collaro Mk IV transcription
unit.
The Thoroughbred first appeared in late 1957 and was a half- track mono machine with a 7″ reel capacity and three tape speeds: 15, 7½ & 3¾ ips. Record level indication was via a “magic eye” valve and a built-in mixer enabled simultaneous microphone and radio/disc recording.
A three-watt amplifier drove three internal speakers ( a 7 x 4″ and two 3″) and the Thoroughbred could be used solely as an amplifier. A preamplifier output was supplied for external amplifier/speaker playback. This appears to be the sole offering from Winston and was available until 1961.
Additional Info
Rewind speed: 65 seconds for 1,200ft tape / Audio output power: 4 watts / Valve complement: 6BR7, 12AX7, EL84, 6X4 / Speaker(s): 7 x 4″ and two 3″ electrostatic treble units / Dimensions: 17 x 15¼ x 9¼ ” (432 x 387 x 235 mm) / Weight: 48 lbs (21.8 kg) / half- track mono