AIWA XK-S9000 (1991) - The Masterpiece

 

Introduced in 1991, the XK-S9000 has it all, from Dolby S Noise Reduction to a built-in D/A converter and remote control. The AIWA K-S9000 features a 4-motor dual capstan drive mechanism. When the cassette is loaded (this happens automatically when the cassette is dropped into the door) it is clamped agains a resilient pad to damp shell vibration, a system called by AIWA Super AMTS (anti-modulation tape stabiliser). The deck features 3-head design, with amorphous heads for both recording and playback with "stress-free 6N copper coils" for both the recording and playback heads. The heads are mounted in a ultra-stiff headbase casting that is mounted on three points to increase stability and a head stabilizer is used to reduce vibration of the head assembly itself. 

The display has dual, 24-segment, peak level indicators while for calibration the deck has built-in 400-Hz and 10-kHz test tones for bias and level and an additional 3-point setting for Rec-EQ. Another unique feature is the BTOR system, Blank Tape Optimized Recording. There are two record buttons on the front, one marked "REC" and the other "B-REC". With B-REC the erase head is deactivated when using a virgin tape. Aiwa claims that the result is  a well-dampened sound, sound expansion, less distortion and clear sound reproduction. The AIWA XK-S9000 has twin (external) power supply and built-in 18-bit linear dual D/A converters and 8xoversampling digital filter that allows direct optical or coaxial connection of a CD player. Needless to say, the XK-S9000 has Dolby B- and C-type noise reduction but it also sports Dolby S NR and defeatble HX Pro system. Frequency response is 13Hz - 21/22/23kHz (normal/chrome/metal) -20VU +/-3dB | Dimensions: 469(with side panels)*151*415 mm | Weight 14kg. 

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marantz Model 2600 (1978) - A Powerful Monster

 

The marantz Model 2600 from 1978 was the most powerful stereo receiver by marantz (owned by Superscope at this time) and it was almost the most powerful receiver from the "monster receiver" era. (The most powerful was the Technics SA-1000). The Model 2600 is an updated version (with added Quartz Locking tuner circuit) of the previous Model 2500. Powered by a Toroidal Dual Power Supply, Turbo-Flow heat dissipation system, 9 kHz 18 dB per Octave Bessel-derived high filter, 15 Hz 18dB per Octave Butterworth-derived low filter and variable tone turnover points will deliver 300 Watts per channel into 8 ohms, Minimum Continous Power from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more than 0.03% THD. The FM section features Quartz-Lock tuning system, Phase Locked Loop multiplex demodulator, 5-Gang dual gate MOSFET FM front end as well as a 2-inch Oscilloscope Display from Hitachi. True Power is the capability of a receiver to deliver more power into 4 ohms than into 8 ohms according to FTC regulation thus the Model 2600 will deliver 400 Watts per channel into 4 ohms. This huge receiver measuring 490*177*438 mm and with a weight of 32 kg was designed in the U.S.A. and produced in Japan. It's original sale price was 2998 DM in Germany. An optional walnut veneer cabinet, the WC-124 was also available.

AIWA AD-6800 (1977) - Flat Response Tuning System

The AIWA AD-6800 is a two motor, 3 Head deck ... that actually has one motor and two heads. For the all essential tape transport there is a 38 Pulse FG Servo Motor combined with a big flywheel while the second motor is only for the automatic cassette loading system. The 3 Head designation seen on the front panel of the deck is not for what we usually know, a deck with monitoring capabilities, there's no Monitor function on this deck. Actually the deck is a two head deck (Ultra-hard long-life FGH - ferrite head) but it has a 3rd head, called Test head which is only active during the recording of the test tones that helps you to adjust the BIAS for all tape types. This system is called by AIWA - FRTS (Flat Response Tuning System). Test signals from two built-in oscillators of 400 Hz and 8 kHz are simultaneously recorded and monitored in order to adjust the bias after setting the Test Head Azimuth. This procedure optimizes the performance characteristics of all types and all brands of cassette tape assuring high output, low noise, wide dynamic range and exceptional clarity. Another unusual but nice feature of the deck is the double level meter with one indicator for VU level and one for Peak levels (with Peak hold) Speciifcation: Wow and flutter 0.05% (WRMS) | Frequency response 20-19000 Hz (FeCr) | Dimensions 450*162*335 mm | Weight 10 kg) 

ARCAM DELTA 100 (1992) - Rare Breed

 

The award winning Arcam Delta 100 from 1992 was the first British designed and manufactured cassette deck to incorporate the then new Dolby S-type noise reduction system. The Delta 100 feature audiophile grade electronics, State-of-the-art Dolby S noise reduction plus Dolby B & C NR systems also included. The deck is built around a Denon sourced 3 heads, 3 motor Dual capstan tape drive. The Delta 100 features automatically controlled source-tape monitoring while for recording it has built in oscillators with variable bias/record calibration controls. The LED easy to read level meters are vertically placed while the deck has a fluorescent real time tape counter. Both can be switched off during playback. Original sale price was £850 but only around 720 units were ever built. The CR200 System Remote Control was supplied as standard with the Delta 100. (Wow and flutter 0.04% wrms | Frequency response 20Hz-20kHz +/-3dB | Dimensions 430*124*340 mm | 8kg | A&R Cambridge)

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Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000c - High Tech Reloaded (1972-2020)

The original Beogram 4000 was introduced in 1972 and it took the world by storm. It was both a styling triumph (designed by Jacob Jensen) and a technical tour de force. In October 2020 Bang & Olufsen announced a Limited Edition run of 95 units of this original iconic turntable which set the standard for all (tangential) record players that came after. In order to mark the 95th year of creating remarkable experiences Bang & Olufsen sourced 95 original units (the 4002 version) and restored them for contemporary sound systems while maintaining the timeless spirit at their core. Each unit is disassembled manually and inspected and every single component of each Beogram is painstakingly cleaned. New parts are added from the smallest screw and ball bearing to the drive belt. These units will receive a new hand-crafted wooden frame, updated finish on the minimalistic and intuitive control pad, also a preamplifier is installed together with a new pickup cartridge. This new "Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000c Recreated Limited Edition" now fitted with both DIN 5-pin and Line out connectors becomes compatible with all modern Bang & Olufsen speakers (excluding Bluetooth models).

(Source Bang&Olufsen)

The original Beogram 4000 (1972)

Beogram 4000c Recreated Limited Edition (2020)

STAX DA-300 (1974) - Pure Class-A

The STAX DA-300 is a high powered Class A amplifier introduced in 1974. Its basic design concept is to realize the equation "Input=Output" in sound quality when the audio signal passes through the equipment. Advanced engineering and much effort in scrutinizing related parts succeeded in maintaining the total harmonic distortion less than 0.02% and in reproducing remarkably fidel and excellent sound. With its proven static and dynamic characteristics, the DA-300 is superbly compatible with such worl-renowned ludspeakers as JBL, Altec, AR, Tannoy, etc. as well as Stax electrostatic loudspeakers. All protective circuits, such as protecting the amplifier from excess voltage input, abnormal DC flow, or overheating, and protecting loudspeakers in case of the amplifier failure, are cleverly engineered into the system. 

DA-300   Amplification that was only a dream until now. The world's finest power amplifier. Ask anyone who has heard it on the world's finest speakers. 150 watts RMS/ch pure class A power. Large, heavy, full features and protection circuits. $3,600.00 (... said the advert from 1976 ...)

Aparently the matching pre-amplifier shown was only a prototype.

For more vintage audio visit www.1001hifi.com

SONY Walkman (1989) - The Making of

In 1979 a burst of inspiration brought together two seemingly unrelated projects which were under way at SONY: incredibly light-weight headphones and a compact stereo tape player. The transistor radio offered a means to take broadcast music out of the home, to anywhere you wanted to be. The Walkman took the world a giant leap further by allowing individuals to "program" their own music and listen to it anytime, anywhere. Recording your favourite selection of songs onto a Compact Cassette(*) was the "program" used in a Walkman.

This short photo story focuses on the making of the 10th Anniversary Walkman, the SONY WM-701C. This factory tour was presented in a SONY document from 1989 dedicated to the 10th Anniversary of the SONY Walkman.

(*) The Compact Cassette was invented by PHILIPS in 1963.

SONY factory Japan

SONY robots on production line

First test

Pick-and-place machine for SMD components

Two identical circuit boards are ready

... more work at SONY

Final tests

Special packaging of the SONY WM-701C "10th Anniversary"

Ready for delivery