TECHNICS RS-1500 REEL TO REEL DECK - CUSTOM WOOD WITH RARE ORIGINAL REMOTE

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This RS-1500 arrived in a working state so we just cleaned it up, added some custom solid wood panels, and gave it a good and thorough testing.

Best of all it comes with a rather rare original Technics RP-9690 wired remote control.

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

Happy to report its working well for both playback and record.

*Please note the silver test tape and reel on the left, and the technics branded reel on the right are *not* included with your purchase.

**We will include two silver generic reels with your purchase.

Cosmetic condition is good with some light signs of use.

Click below to add our recommended matching cables from Kimber Kable, all brand new as SkyFi is an official Kimber dealer.

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Good

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Technics RS-1500 Technical Details:
• Quartz-Locked "Isolated Loop" Open-Faced Reel 
• 3 Motor Direct Drive
• 2 Track 2-Channel Record/Playback
• 2 Track 2-Channel Playback w/3 Speeds
• 3 1/4, 7 1/2, and 15 ips
• 5" to 10.5" Reels
• 4 Heads, Auto Stop, NAB
• Bias, EQ and Pitch Controls

The SkyFi Testing Process for Tape Decks and Reel to Reel Machines:

First steps are performed to determine if the unit is a candidate for our full restoration process or if its just in need of a light service.

We first do 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 that 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, bearings.  We then clean lubricate and re-assembly the drive and perform basic mechanical alignment to ensure proper tape path and head alignment. 

Final calibration will involved adjustment of playback erase and record heads and optimization of the bias for a specific tape type.  We do this with the aid of a  Soundtech 1510A tape deck analyzer and a Nakamichi T100 unit and reference calibration tapes.  

Final listening tests are done while monitoring with our reference Grado HP1 headphones and a variety of factory and custom reference recordings.  We find that there is no better system for critical listening on tapes than the headphones specially when comparing a live feed to a recorded feed.