Technics RS-1520 Reel to Reel - McIntosh Tribute - Fully Restored - Configure Yours

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No, this is not a vintage McIntosh prototype that someone smuggled out of Binghamton - but rather a highly performing semi-professional Technics RS-1520 that has been restored and highly modified.  

Cosmetically it's finished in a unique black and green color theme to resemble and blend right into your beloved McIntosh system. The Reel to Reel that McIntosh never made!

We recently posted a full walkthrough video to our YouTube channel which started quite the commotion in the audiophile community:

First each Technics RS-1520 receives a careful and complete restoration to make it perform like the day it left the factory. It's completely taken apart and reassembled,  piece by piece, while replacing or restoring any components that do not meet specifications. Then it gains a plethora of functional, performance, and cosmetic upgrades which you can choose using our configurator.

This RS-1520 is also no ordinary RS-1500, it's the Pro version which adds variable Equalization, Bias Controls, and Balanced XLR Outputs critical to mating properly with your McIntosh preamp. 

Included in the base package (before selecting options)

Stock RS-1520 Restored to Factory Conditions

McIntosh Tribute cosmetic extended package 

• Gloss faceplate
• Blue meters
• Gloss black side panels with chrome panel inserts.
• Custom hub adapters (Generation III Carbon 3D Printed with Locking Wrench)
• Single take-up reel in black (Design may vary depending on stock) 

Options Include:

• Addition of precision ball bearings on surfaces that come in contact with the tape including the tape guides and or the tape lifters. 
• Record Playback Performance Upgrade.  This electronic hotrod modification allows you to record a modern tape at a higher level, thus greatly reducing tape noise and improving sound quality.  Tape compounds evolved over the many years of production and this mod allows its full potential.  
• Direct Tape Head Output allows you to supply your own tape preamp (rather than using the internal) which is a tweakers dream.  We remove the 1/4 track heads and install. new 1/2 track head in its place directly wired to a new set of gold plated RCA jacks on the back.  This is for the most hard core tape fans. 
• Upgraded transport button and control knobs in aluminum with paint color coding.  We replaced the 6 plastic transport buttons (play, pause etc)with metal ones which are color coded.  Also replace the 4 knobs just bellow the meters with aluminum ones to match the rest of the deck.  
• Upgraded main knobs with onyx inserts.  These are the large knobs for Mic, Inout and Output.  The onyx black inserts give the machine a super high end feel. 
• Upgraded chrome plated metal feet which replace the plastic ones. 
• Upgraded machined aluminum back panel fully labeled. The stock is a flimsy pressed board affair that discolors and warps. 
• IEC power socket to replace the captive un-grounded power cord.  This allow your to choose you own power cables or select the one we suggest. 
• Your choice of 1m or 2m Kimber Kable power cords (be sure to choose the IEC power upgraded with this choice)
• Your choice of 1 or 2m Kimber Audio cables in RCA or XLR.  You will need one set for playback and one set for record. The RCAs use the amazing WBT looking connectors.  

Plus our famous "bomb-proof" custom packaging to ensure safe worldwide delivery. 

*UPS Ground Shipping with Insurance within the Lower 48 US states is currently included at no additional charge under our active free shipping on all electronics promotion. If you're outside of this area please just contact us for a quote.

Please call if you need help selecting options

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