Who made this reel to reel? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Welsh Anorak · 30th Aug 2017, 4:02 pm

Hi there
While looking after a friend's repair shop (yes, they still exist) and waiting for customers I had a look in the storeroom of uncollected junk and spied this on top of much stuff. It looked sort of late Philips or Pioneer, but on closer inspection there's no name! I assume it's a cheapo designed to look impressive but I wondered if anyone had seen one before? I could just about get to the back but no details there either.
Odd!
Glyn

Reelman · 30th Aug 2017, 4:19 pm

That appears to be a Philips N7150. One of their last reel to reels, not one of the best. By this time plastic was being used for many of the parts with resultant decrease in reliability and difficulty in repairing.
Peter

Welsh Anorak · 30th Aug 2017, 5:19 pm

So it is! I thought it looked too cheaply made to be a Philips. I think I'll stick (literally!) with the N4407 I've got in for repair...
Thanks
Glyn

Ted Kendall · 30th Aug 2017, 5:50 pm

None of the last Philips open reel machines were well built, in my view. Even the 4520, although of formidable performance, has flimsy controls and has exhibited a distressing tendency for things like reel motors to fall to bits, unlike the contemporary Revox, at whose level it was priced. This at a time when they were making the (mechanically) bomb-proof CD104...!

barretter · 31st Aug 2017, 6:49 pm

In a strange bit of synchronicity there is an article on the Philips N7150 in the new issue of Hi-Fi World which appeared in the shops today. The reviewer bought his for £20 and enjoys the sound but also details all the repairs he had to carry out to make it work, most of them caused by the inappropriate use of plastic in vital areas. An interesting read.

30th Aug 2017, 4:02 pm	#1
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	Who made this reel to reel? Hi there While looking after a friend's repair shop (yes, they still exist) and waiting for customers I had a look in the storeroom of uncollected junk and spied this on top of much stuff. It looked sort of late Philips or Pioneer, but on closer inspection there's no name! I assume it's a cheapo designed to look impressive but I wondered if anyone had seen one before? I could just about get to the back but no details there either. Odd! Glyn Attached Thumbnails

30th Aug 2017, 4:19 pm	#2
Reelman Octode Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,723	Re: Who made this reel to reel? That appears to be a Philips N7150. One of their last reel to reels, not one of the best. By this time plastic was being used for many of the parts with resultant decrease in reliability and difficulty in repairing. Peter

30th Aug 2017, 5:19 pm	#3
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	Re: Who made this reel to reel? So it is! I thought it looked too cheaply made to be a Philips. I think I'll stick (literally!) with the N4407 I've got in for repair... Thanks Glyn

30th Aug 2017, 5:50 pm	#4
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,670	Re: Who made this reel to reel? None of the last Philips open reel machines were well built, in my view. Even the 4520, although of formidable performance, has flimsy controls and has exhibited a distressing tendency for things like reel motors to fall to bits, unlike the contemporary Revox, at whose level it was priced. This at a time when they were making the (mechanically) bomb-proof CD104...!

31st Aug 2017, 6:49 pm	#5
barretter Heptode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Todmorden, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 870	Re: Who made this reel to reel? In a strange bit of synchronicity there is an article on the Philips N7150 in the new issue of Hi-Fi World which appeared in the shops today. The reviewer bought his for £20 and enjoys the sound but also details all the repairs he had to carry out to make it work, most of them caused by the inappropriate use of plastic in vital areas. An interesting read.