Technics RS-1506 Reel to Reel - Serviced

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General:
Another reel to reel from our favorite series of Technics!

The 1506 is built on the same platform as the 1500, but allows 1/4 track recording on both sides giving you the max time possible out of each tape. It's also capable of 1/2 track playback with a flick of a switch on the front head block.

This particular 1506 was serviced in house and is running very well. It will also come with the Maxell take up reels pictured. Upgrades include black gloss side panels and a SkyFi branded head block.

Check out our video guide on Technics Reel to Reels:

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Some light scratches and marks visible, presents very well overall.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
This unit was serviced in house. It received new VU meters, repaired noisy counter, added cosmetic head block cover, trued up capstan roller, full cleaning and lubrication, clean and adjusted brakes, calibration and test. Record and play back is wonderful now.

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 inputs and outputs

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/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 (inches per second)
Wow and flutter: 0.018% (15 ips)
Frequency response: 30 Hz to 30 kHz (15 ips)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 5 7dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.8%
Input: 60mV (line), 0.25mV (mic)
Output: 0.775V (line)

Dimensions:
17.56" x 17.95" x 10.16" (446 x 456 x 258mm)

Weight:
55 lbs.

Approximate Age:
1980

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.