new receivers...
Sherwood S-7100 Concord Mk 20 Bogen 13R-60 Grundig RTV 650 Nikko 1101
The Roberts 120 is an AM/FM receiver with a rated output of 100 watts (IHF ) and among the features are two tuning meters, built-in ferrite antenna for AM, external speaker switch and both DIN and standard phono sockets.
A FM sensitivity of 1.5 µV is quoted for the Bogen BR360 receiver which has a `crescendo' control, a form of dynamic expansion/compression. This device is particularly useful for tape recording as it can help to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Recordings are made with some compression and the necessary expansion is used for playback. Not as effective as a Dolby system but worthwhile for all that. The i.f. stages of the BR360 use ceramic filters and a mechanical filter is employed for AM. Power output is 100 watts (IHF) The Concord Mk 20 has a rated output of 240 watts (IHF) at 4 ohms with a FM sensitivity of 1.7 µV and 20 microvolts for AM. Among the features of the Mk 20 are ceramic i.f. filters, patented fast-acting protection circuits, extension speaker switching and special slide controls for tone, balance, and volume.
Grundig's model RTV 650 is a five band (AM, FM, LW, and two SW ranges) receiver which should appeal to those interested in DX as well as Hi-Fi.
There is a choice of five pre-selected stations on FM, a presence-lift control and a SW fine-tuning control. There are no less than 26 knobs (count 'em) on the front panel! FM sensitivity is given as 1.5 µv and AM 6.5 µV. Power output is stated to be 30 watts per channel rms which is probably equal to a total IHF figure of 100 watts. Incidentally, the LW band covers the range 145 to 350 kHz which is used by several broadcast stations in Europe.
Model 1101 is a Nikko AM/FM receiver with some unusual features apart from the rather unconventional styling. It has two VU meters, an optional low-frequency boost to compensate for speaker deficiencies (10 db at 30 Hz) and ceramic filters are used in both AM and FM i.f. stages. A FET is employed as the AM detector. FM sensitivity is claimed to be 1.5 µV and power output is 160 watts (IHF) at 4 ohms.
Sherwoods first low-price receiver is the S-7100 rated at 100 watts (IHF) a FM sensitivity of 1.9 µV. Price is $199.95 and this model completes the Sherwood range of six models costing up to $599.00. Fisher will be introducing a very sophisticated receiver-the most ambitious yet produced by that company. This is Model 701, a 4-channel model featuring 40 watts per channel (RMS) 12 IC's, ladder filter, improved Autoscan, and provision for plug-in multiplex boards for use when standardization eventually takes place. A special ‘wide-surround' control enables the user to change the characteristics of the rear speakers to suit room conditions or program acoustics. Price is expected to be around $700. Pioneer's new TX-700 AM/FM Stereo Tuner is part of the chain which includes the SC-300 Stereo Preamplifier, the SF 700 Electronic Crossover, and the SM-700 Stereo Power Amplifier-all combining to provide the functions of a multichannel receiver. The tuner alone has pre-set tuning for five FM stations and includes noise filter and muting ability. It is priced at $199.95.
....& tape recorders & ...
Quatron 48-H 8-track 3M/Wollensak 6154 Quad Concord ßA1k 8 Roberts 333X
The Wollensak 6154 Quad/Stereo deck is a Quadraphonic 3-speed machine featuring sound-on-sound, electro-dynamic braking, separate bass and treble controls and bias selector. Available as a deck or with amplifiers and a set of four speakers.
The Quatron 8-track cartridge changer plays up to twelve cartridges with a choice of modes, e.g. all tapes in sequence, first-channel repeats of a single tape, or the automatic selection of any tape or channel. Two 15-watt amplifiers are built-in and matching speakers are available.
Model 333X is Roberts new three-in one recorder with provision for reels, cartridges and cassettes. It features cross field heads, dual VU meters and separate digital counters which facilitate tape transfers and comes complete with integral 12-watt amplifiers.
Another combined machine is the Concord Mk 8 which has provision for 8-track cartridges as well as reel-to-reel.
Total power output is quoted as 20 watts and features of the Mk 8 include two VU meters, sound-with-sound recording, separate tone and volume controls for each channel and simple press-button reel( 3-speed)-to-8-track transfer.
Sansui will be introducing its first tape recorder at the Show. This is a semiprofessional 3-motor, 4-track machine with a price tag of around $470. Features include a back tension switch to reduce strain on the tape during rewind and an automatic speed controller to protect tape from rough handling.
Fisher will be showing a new cassette recorder, Model RC-80 which uses the Dolby system and features dual-slide level controls, special ferrite heads, and complete with two dynamic microphones at $199.
At the top of the page is the new Harmon-Kardon Citation 11 preamplifier which has five sliding tone controls and many other refinements. H-K will also be demonstrating their new CAD5 cassette recorder which uses a Dolby system. Quadraphonic sound will be demonstrated using a processed system (Orban). This device can generate 4-channel sound from almost any type of program source--mono or two-channel stereo. Kenwood will be introducing a new range of tape recorders which include a 6-head machine (Model KW-8077, featuring solenoid controls and three motors with automatic reverse record/playback. Another newcomer is the Hitachi TRW-730-a 4-track machine with separate VU meters, slide pots, and separate record-replay heads. Teac will introduce a new high-performance cassette deck with a frequency response up to 12 kHz (-3dB). This is Model 824 and it incorporates a unique automatic shut-off device. Altec have a number of new products `under wraps' but at least two speaker systems will be shown. One of these, model 879, or the Santana, is a floor-standing system using a 15-inch bass unit with a 3-inch voice coil, plus a high-frequency unit. It stands 24" high, 20" wide by 17" deep. Toshiba will be showing a large range of products including the KT-401 cassette recorder which has two level meters and a hysteresis-synchronous motor. Dynaco will be demonstrating their quadraphonic system (see page 24) using a Dynaco SCA 80 or a Stereo 200. Mikado Electronics will also have a quadraphonic setup: this one is called the Dorren system and a special 4-channel FM transmitter will be used with a standard Mikado receiver fitted with a decoder. The inventor, Lewis Dorren will be at booth A-235 to answer any questions. All we can say is that (a) the system is compatible, (b) it uses a form of multiplexing and (c) it is unsuitable for disks. Koss have a new improved dynamic headset, Model PRO4-AA which is said to give sound reproduction close to electrostatic headphones. ‘Geometrically correct' stereo is claimed and harmonic distortion is less than 0.5% at 110 dB SPL. Price is $60 and they will be available in September. Bogen will also be introducing new headphones: Model EP-10, which has an extended high-frequency response and is priced at $29.95. Also on show will be a new speaker system-model LS-X which measures 12" by 5" by 9" and uses a 4" full-range speaker. Price? $24.95.
BASF is introducing a specially developed low-noise recording tape which is stated to have a dynamic range at 3 3/4 ips superior to many standard tapes played at 7 1/2 ips. It is called LH (Low-noise, High-output) and is available in lengths from 990 to 3,600 feet.
LWE-Acoustron will be adding four more speakers to their range which now extends from $60 right up to $2000.... Star attraction will be a semi-professional cassette recorder with a frequency range from 30 Hz to 18 kHz incorporating a dynamic noise-reduction circuit giving up to 15 dB improvement in S/N. Three motors are used and the price will be in the region of $350. EPI will be demonstrating an improved version of the 201 Quartet speaker system which is a medium-size floor-standing model. It uses-in effect-two Model 100's ( reviewed in June ) but the units face upwards and outward to give better dispersion. Price is still $199. Advent will be demonstrating Scheiber 4-channel disks outside the Show at the St. Moritz hotel. Other 'extra-mural' exhibitors will include RCA who will be showing off the new 4-channel compact systems. As reported elsewhere, RCA are backing the 8-track format ( Quad-8) for their first venture into quadraphonics and they will have at least 30 tapes available in August. Lear-Jet and Motorola are also producing equipment for 4/8 track cartridges-mainly for auto use.
One of the most interesting items from Pioneer is an elaborate Electronic Crossover unit ( Model SF-200) which offers a choice of five crossover frequencies in the lower mid-range from 125 Hz to 1 kHz and five in the higher range up to 8 kHz.
Three rates of attenuation are provided-6, 12, and 18 dB per octave and dual-concentric controls permit separate channel adjustment. It is intended to be connected between preamp and main amplifier and insertion loss is given as 2 dB. Harmonic distortion is less than 0.3%. The price is $179.95.
RCA's new " Audio Center" above, features both FM and AM reception plus the audio portion of VHF and UHF television programs. An unusual feature is the provision of raised braille characters on the controls to assist the visually handicapped.
List price is $79.95 and it will be available in September.
Harmon-Kardon CAD5 professional tape cassette deck with Dolby system.
(adapted from Audio magazine, Jul. 1970)
Also see:
How Many Channels? Part II (Feb. 1971)
Omnidirectional Radiation (in Acoustics) (Mar. 1973)
Quadraphony Needs Directional Loudspeakers (Mar. 1973)
A New Quadraphonic System, by David Hafler (Jul. 1970)
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