Technics RS-1520 Reel to Reel - Custom Silver - Fully Restored - Ready to Ship

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General:
The Technics RS-1520 is a capable reel-to teel tape machine that features all the necessary functions - and then some! This particular model was modified and serviced by J-Corder with a silver livery.

The RS-1520 is particularly special compared to the standard RS-1500 because of its variable equalization, bias controls, and balanced XLR outputs. Additionally there's a set of direct output single-ended RCA jacks in case you'd like to use your own head amplifier.

This Machine was totally upgraded including:
• Hot-Rodded Performance Playback/Record Circuitry
• Custom Head Block with Direct Output - Flux Head
• Custom VU Meters
• Aluminum Knobs and Switches
• IEC Power Socket
• Chrome Legs
• Tape Path Bearing Upgrade
• QTY (2) x Custom-Made "Blacked-Out" Technics Aluminum Takeup Reels
• Aluminum Side Panels
• Deltron Custom Paint Finish
• DarkLab Hub Adapters
• Aluminum Back Panel

Your purchase will include the above mentioned pair of black take up reels w/Technics Logo, rubber reel spacers, hub adapters, and owners manual.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Some light signs of wear on the side of the unit. Overall good condition.

Brand Background:
At Technics we understand that the listening experience is not purely about technology but the magical and emotional relationship between people and music. We want people to experience music as it was originally intended and enable them to feel the emotional impact that enthuses and delights them. With a combination of our love of music and the vast high-end audio experience of the Technics team, we stand committed to building a brand that provides the ultimate emotive musical experience by music lovers, for music lovers.

Ownership:
Second Owner

Connections:
RCA, XLR, IEC power

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab.

Included:
Exactly as pictured and described above.

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Specs:
Track system: 4-track, 2-channel, stereo/mono system
Reel size: Up to 10.5 inch reel
Tape speeds: 3-3⁄4,  7-1⁄2, and 15 ips
Wow and flutter: 0.035% (15 ips)
Frequency response: 30 Hz to 20 kHz (15 ips)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 68 dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.8%
Input: 60mV (line), 0.25mV (mic)
Output: 2.19V (line)

Dimensions:
19.76" x 17.95" x 10.12" (502 x 456 x 257mm)

Weight:
60 lbs.

Approximate Age:
1976

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:
First steps are performed to determine if the unit is a candidate for our full restoration process, or if it's just in need of a light service.

We perform a basic functionality test to ensure proper playback, fast forward, and rewind. We look for smooth operation of the motors, transport engagement, and associated rolling parts.

We then do an internal physical inspection to ensure the belts and rubber consumable parts are up to spec.

Internal components are checked to make sure there are no signs of heat stress or damage, particularly in the power supply section. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

A light service will involve replacement of belts and rollers, external cleaning of heads, mechanism and boards, and basic record and playback tests.

A full restoration will often include disassembly of the drive system and replacement of all consumable and wearable parts including pinch rollers, belts, brakes, and bearings. We then clean, lubricate, and re-assemble the drive and perform basic mechanical alignment to ensure proper tape path and head alignment.

Final calibration will involve adjustment of the playback, erase, and record heads, along with optimization of the bias for a specific tape type. We do this with the aid of a Sound Technology 1510A tape deck analyzer plus a Nakamichi T-100 Audio Analyzer with reference calibration tapes.

Final listening tests are performed while monitoring with our reference Grado HP-1 headphones and a variety of factory and custom reference recordings We find that there is no better system for critical listening on tapes than with headphones, especially when comparing a live feed to a recorded feed.