Technics RS-1500US Reel to Reel - NOS (New Old Stock)

Free Shipping on *ALL* Electronics (Excluding Speakers, Contiguous 48 US States Only)

General:
An Incredible find
This RS-1500US comes complete with every original bit including the hub adapters, spacers, manuals, cords, etc. It is in NOS condition with no signs of use, not even fingerprints.  The heads look brand new which is a great proof of its provenance.  We also included one extra Maxell branded take-up reel. 

The RS-1500US is a favorite among audiophiles for its ability to run at high-speed 15 IPS, playback at both 1/4 and 1/2 track, and record at 1/2 track.

Happy to report this deck is working well for both playback and record. No service was required, we just performed a light calibration and made a perfect tape at 15 IPS. 

Here is a link to a video of another NOS machine to give you an idea how its packaged and what's included.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
The original box shows significant wear but appears to be internally complete.

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:
Single Owner

Connections:
Two sets of RCA line outputs, Throughout RCA pair, RCA Line Input. Battery input, AC outlet, Ground connection.

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Cosmetic Condition:
9/10 = Excellent. Perfect physical condition, gently used. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab.

Included:
Everything like when it arrived new

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Specs:
Track system: 2-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system
Motor: 2 x reel, 1 x capstan
Reel size: 5 to 10.5 inch reel
Equalization: NAB
Tape speeds: 3-3⁄4, 7-1⁄2, and 15 ips
Wow and flutter: 0.018% (15 ips)
Frequency response: 30Hz to 30kHz (15 ips)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 60dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.8%
Input: 60mV (line), 0.25mV (mic)
Output: 0.775V (line)

Dimensions:
17.6 x 17.9 x 10.1"

Weight:
55 lbs.

Approximate Age:
1977

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - 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.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
The original box shows significant wear but appears to be internally complete.

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:
Single Owner

Connections:
Two sets of RCA line outputs, Throughout RCA pair, RCA Line Input. Battery input, AC outlet, Ground connection.

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Cosmetic Condition:
9/10 = Excellent. Perfect physical condition, gently used. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab.

Included:
Everything like when it arrived new

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Specs:
Track system: 2-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system
Motor: 2 x reel, 1 x capstan
Reel size: 5 to 10.5 inch reel
Equalization: NAB
Tape speeds: 3 3⁄4  7 1⁄2  15 ips
Wow and flutter: 0.018% (15 ips)
Frequency response: 30Hz to 30kHz (15 ips)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 60dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.8%
Input: 60mV (line), 0.25mV (mic)
Output: 0.775V (line)

Dimensions:
17.6 x 17.9 x 10.1"

Weight:
55 lbs.

Approximate Age:
1977

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - 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.