Technics

Technics RS-1500 Reel Tape Recorder

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: Reel-to-Reel Tape Players & Recorders

This well-built deck is well-known in the audio sound world for its excellent sound quality and reliability, and the tape recorder is...

This well-built deck is well-known in the audio sound world for its excellent sound quality and reliability, and the tape recorder is a precisely engineered audio sound piece of HIFI equipment that makes a great addition to any vintage audio system.

Technics by Alter Ego Appearance

Enrich For Life - Audio Precision Engineering: Alter Ego Appearance in response to “the rapidly decreasing availability of Technicians who perform this level of rebuild.” Alter Ego Appearance combines design with technical skills. The word custom would be an understatement as each machine is its new creation, none of the open reel tape decks will ever be identical.

Technics RS-1500US Stereo Open Reel Tape Recorder (1977-1987) 

Technics released seven different open reel tape deck models, starting in late 1977 and the remainder in 1978. The RS-1500 came first and shortly thereafter the RS-1506, RS-1520, RS-1700, RS-1800, RS-777, and Technics RS-10A02 R&B Series for professional recording music studios. 

The Technics single capstan system offered advantages over double capstan as variations in the speed of two capstans and the pressure of the two pinch rollers to maintain the desired temp tape tension makes speed and tension adjustment complex and difficult often increasing the tape tension which is not desirable. The relatively long distance between the two capstans over which the tape must stretch contributes to higher modulation noise and scrape flutter. In contrast, the Technics single capstan system maintains exactly the same speed and pinch roller pressure on both sides of the capstan. The wide contact area between the pinch rollers and the single extra-large capstan allows for lower tape tension, about 80 g and is very steady because the tape path between the capstan and the reversing roller is relatively short. So modulation noise, wow & flutter and level fluctuations are dramatically reduced. Add to this the quartz locked slow speed direct capstan drive system, aided by a tension-controlled direct drive reel motors and air-dampened tension rollers the Technics isolated loop system achieves excellent overall performance.

The Technics RS-1500 Specifications: 

Track system: 2-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system
Motor: 2 x reel, 1 x capstan
Reel size: 5 to 10.5 inch reel
Equalization: NAB
Tape speeds: 3 3⁄4  7 1⁄2  15 ips
Wow and flutter: 0.018% (15 ips)
Frequency response: 30Hz to 30kHz (15 ips)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 60dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.8%
Input: 60mV (line), 0.25mV (mic)
Output: 0.775V (line)
Dimensions: 446 x 456 x 258mm
Weight: 25kg

Take a closer look at Alter Ego Appearance. They did impressive art for tape recorders in response to the rapidly decreasing availability of Technicians who perform bespoke custom design levels of rebuild open reel decks.

Complete Technics RS-1500 rebuild from head to toe:

Alter Ego Appearance brings tape deck restoration to the next level. This Technics RS-1700 reel to a reel tape recorder with metal letterings. All letterings are made from jeweller-grade stainless steel, polished to shine.

Every part inside of the tape decks is rebuilt; brand new front panels (from scratch), switches, head blocks, caps, motors, EVERYTHING is rebuilt. Alter Ego Appearance where vintage open reel tape recorder is restored to outshine its former glory - Only for the most meticulous of listeners who want the absolute best!

- Brand new front, top and side panels
- Brand new switches
- Fully recapped
- Electronic boards refreshed and re-soldered
- Custom side panels with engraved screws
- Custom hubs
- Custom reels
- Brand new laser printed VU meters
- Heads relapped

The Technics RS-1500 series machine is built to order according to your personal wishes. Each offered open reel deck complete rebuild inside & out - each machine will always be unique. Every part of the tape deck is rebuilt with top quality materials, brand new front and back panels (from scratch), switches, head blocks, caps, motors, EVERYTHING is new and improved functionality of the tape deck to another level to play master tape copy.

Alter Ego Appearance brings tape deck restoration to the next level. Creating brand new front panels, jewellery grade metal lettering, powder coating, 3D printing, coding for custom modifications and much more. Each custom restoration is completed with your input.

International clients are welcome. All products come with WARRANTY: Alter Ego Appearance offer a one-year warranty on tape recorder restoration work. Should something break down within the first year not related to shipping damage or accidental user error causing damage, Alter Ego Appearance, will repair at no charge. The customer pays shipping packaging costs or technicians' visiting expenses.

For more information visit the Alter Ego Appearance website www.alteregoappearance.com - the place where vintage reel-to-reel tape recorders are restored to outshine its former glory with new functionality. 

Technics RS-1500 Rebuild By Alter Ego Appearance With Love To Analog.

ITEM DELIVERY: Delivery times vary widely based on destination.

Terms of Sale: In principle, we can't accept returning and refunding but, we can accept only for defective products.

International Buyers - Please Note: Import duties, taxes & charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please be aware of these are buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.

  • Standard delivered 4-5 Days
  • Express delivered 2-4 Days
  • Worldwide tracking delivered 4-14 Days

Orders are processed and delivered Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays)


Our customers enjoy top class customer services and 30 days returns.

  • Item Returns:

  • We want you to feel happy with your purchase, so if for any reason you are not, you may send your item(s) back to us within 14 days for a full refund or exchange free of charge.


    Item Returns: We want you to feel happy with your purchase, so if for any reason you are not, you may send your item(s) back to us within 14 days for a full refund or exchange free of charge.


    Please note, postage costs are non-refundable except in the following circumstances:

    * the item you receive is different to that ordered.

    * OR the item you receive is damaged or faulty.

    In the above cases, a full refund/exchange will be issued including any additional postage costs incurred by the buyer.


    *Please note, we can only refund up to the minimum postage amount required to send your item(s) back to us. Therefore, we always recommend that items be returned to us using the royal mails 2nd class service with recorded delivery for insurance purposes.


    All items must be returned to us in their original condition within 14 days of receipt. Please let us know beforehand why you are planning on sending an item back to us and remember to include this information in your return. It is also vital that you include your user id & item number so we can deal with your request for a refund or exchange as quickly as possible.


    All refunds will be issued via your original method of payment and normally take up to 3 working days to process.