Nagra IV-SJ Vintage Reel to Reel Tape Recorder

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General:
The Nagra IV-SJ model is the enhanced version of IV-S that came out in 1972.

Made in Switzerland just like all the finest timepieces in the world.

This was an instrumentation recorder for precise noise and vibration measurement and other scientific audio analysis.

Equipped with special microphone preamplifiers, modulometer, and stepped input attenuators, the IV-SJ is used for a multitude of different environmental and industrialization applications.

Customers for the IV-SJ varied from NASA, Rolls Royce, and Greenpeace where this was commonly used to record whales and ultrasonic waves. 

The IV-SJ also makes for a formidable audio machine with a super low noise floor and great dynamic range. With the appropriate adapters it can also accommodate larger 10.5" tape reels. 

This particular machine was fully tested in our shop and sounds fantastic. When performing sound and frequency tests the output sounded identical to the source! A testament to how good they are designed and built.  

Along with the tape deck your purchase also includes a pair of custom high-quality reproduction Nagra branded take-up reels, an Apex 1/4" test tape with Lyle Lovett and David Gilmour. plus a new power adapter and various audio interconnecting cables.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Very clean throughout. No cracks on acrylic covers. Missing batter covert. Overall in very presentable condition.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
Cleaned heads, treated switches, made test tape with Lyle Lovett and David Gilmour on new Apex 1/4" tape which will be included.

Includes two custom Nagra aluminum take-up reels, test tape, custom high-quality record and playback cables, custom switched-mode power supply, and acrylic cover.

Note: the headphone jack on these machines is to monitor recordings, not playback as it only outputs in mono not stereo.

Brand Background:
Nagra is a brand of portable audio recorders produced from 1951 in Switzerland. Beginning in 1997 a range of high-end equipment aimed at the audiophile community was introduced, and Nagra expanded the company’s product lines into new markets.

Originally a product of the Kudelski Group, Nagra recorders are now developed, produced and sold by independently-owned company Audio Technology Switzerland S.A., based in Romanel-sur-Lausanne.

The machines were initially designed by Polish inventor Stefan Kudelski, and his company won numerous technical awards for their precision and reliability. Nagra means "[it] will record" in Polish, Kudelski's mother language.

Nagra-brand tape recorders were the de facto standard sound recording systems for motion picture and (non-video) single-camera television production from the 1960s until the 1990s

Ownership:
Second Owner

Connections:
DIN style connections,

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:
MAGNETIC TAPE
Nominalwidth
Admissible thickness
Maximum reel diameter with lid open

Speeds: 15 IPS, 7-1/2 IPS, 3-3/4 IPS, 1-1/5 IPS 
(38.1 cm/s, 19.05 cm/s, 9.525 cm/s, 3.81 cm/s)

POWER SUPPLY
Supply voltage, direct current, positive to the ground

Stability of the nominal speed in relation to the temperature (from 0° to 50°C), the position of the recorder, the distribution of the tape between the reels, and the supply voltage (except for 1 1/2 ips). ±0.1%

Wow and flutter
weighted peak-to-peak value, in accordance with DIN 45 507 standard: (lEE 193-1972 1 ANSIS 4.03.1972)
on Line Playback on Record
on Rapid Rewind
direct
mic. (1 BK 2619)

Maximum reel diameter with lid closed
5"- 127mm
Recording time under the same conditions
22 min.
Rewind time with 5" reel and 35 /-lm (1.5 mils) tape 2 min.

Dimensions:
Dimensions of the box as such with the lid closed, without knobs, feet, handle or handle mounts 12.6"x 8.8" x 4.4"- 318 x 222 x 110mm

Overall dimensions without the removable handle 13.2" x 9.6" x 4.5"- 333 x 242 x 113mm

Thickness of the Anticorodal sheet used for the box .080"- 2mm

Thickness of the tape deck .120" - 3 mm

Weight:
14 lbs.

Approximate Age:
1975

Link to Manual:
Click Here

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.