UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Citroen (Freeman) 550 tape recorder- bad capacitor?

llama · 18th May 2017, 12:04 pm

At first glance this looks like one of the many "generic" branded rim-drive machines that were plentiful in the early '60s. It looks a lot like my Ehrcorder for instance. They can be a lot of fun!

Most such machines used a permanent magnet for erase and DC bias for recording. Both these techniques were to save on complexity (cost!) and extend battery life (at the expense of background noise and inherent distortion).

Make sure your tape path includes the erase magnet on record (has it dropped off?!?) and please do check the battery.

I realise some of these terms may be outside your experience (at the moment) but we're here to explain. I'm sure you know what a magnet is!
Looking forward to hearing the results of your next steps.
Graham

18th May 2017, 12:04 pm	#4
llama Octode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,482	Re: Reel to reel tape recorder - bad capacitor? At first glance this looks like one of the many "generic" branded rim-drive machines that were plentiful in the early '60s. It looks a lot like my Ehrcorder for instance. They can be a lot of fun! Most such machines used a permanent magnet for erase and DC bias for recording. Both these techniques were to save on complexity (cost!) and extend battery life (at the expense of background noise and inherent distortion). Make sure your tape path includes the erase magnet on record (has it dropped off?!?) and please do check the battery. I realise some of these terms may be outside your experience (at the moment) but we're here to explain. I'm sure you know what a magnet is! Looking forward to hearing the results of your next steps. Graham __________________ Half my stuff is junk - trouble is, I don't know which half!