Technics RS-1500 Reel Tape Recorder

The most exclusive and hi-end open reel deck: Technics RS-1500 Aereum Edition 

Alter Ego Appearance | Enrich For Life

Spotlight on the new Technics RS-1500 Open Reel Deck: The best can only be hand-crafted, one at a time and is never replicated, its fully rebuilt with NEW features and functionality like a digital counter and new NAB IEC equalisation selector and much more. Impeccable consideration to the points only the most meticulous of audiophiles would understand.  Below is a description of this one of a kind rebuild 

You demand the best, as you are meticulous: High-End Playback Tape Deck: The best can only be hand-crafted, one at a time and is never replicated. Almost every piece of this Technics RS-1500 has been custom-made from blocks of solid metals & alloys. Each knob, lever, pinch roller cap, face plate, head block and more was made brand new and it is breath-taking. New tape counter, VU meters and lots of improved sound. 

Alter Ego Appearance restored Technics RS-1500 with upgraded new functionality and features to outshine its former glory. The Technics RS-1500 is a pure playback open reel deck and provides a high-end solution to listen to 1/4″ 15 IPS master reel tapes.

Open Reel Tape Recorder In Every Sense: Both performance and operational advantages of the "Isolated Loop" tape path introduced in the Technics RS-1500US and RS-1506US qualify these professional units not only as state-of-the-art but as the beginning of a new technological generation. To realize the full potential possible with this design, there was no choice but to employ an all-direct-drive tape transport system, with quartz-controlled, phase-locked servo control. Electronically as well, these units were built as an uncompromising challenge to tape decks now available. Separate microphone amplifier, recording amplifier, mixing amplifier and three-way bias and equalization controls all serve to help assure flawless recording and playback under any circumstances. Unique in tape recorder technology, the capstan of the RS-1500US is 34 mm in diameter, for increased tape contact and less possibility of slippage. 

The direct-drive concept was originally introduced by Technics in 1969, for use in high-grade turntables, and was adopted in the Technics RS-275US cassette deck in 1970. In 1976 with the introduction of the RS-1500US, a direct-drive is applied to a tape transport system (the capstan, flywheel and motor all rotate as a uniform entity) ​The direct-drive principle extends to the reel motors, also. Brushless DC motors of very high torque, with electronic commutation, are unitized with the diecast reel tables. The RS-1500US is designed for 2-track recording and playback as well as 4-track playback of tapes made on other decks. The RS-1506US is designed for 4-track recording and playback as well as 2-track playback of tapes made on other decks. 

The Technics RS-1500 was an "isolated loop" direct-drive open reel tape deck manufactured by the Technics National Panasonic Corporation of Japan. It had three speeds, with 2-track record/playback, and 4-track playback capability. The RS-1506US was a similar model except it had 4-track record/playback, and 2-track playback capability. Both models shared the same technological advantages such as the "isolated loop", and the quartz-locked direct-drive system.

Isolated Loop: In conventional tape recorders, the supply reel and take-up reel usually have some influence on the speed of the tape introducing wow and flutter. The "isolated loop" refers to a loop of tape that is isolated from these influences. They achieved this using a pair of pinch rollers because the loop of tape between the rollers will have a precisely smooth speed. Using separate capstans for each pinch roller could cause the tape to stretch if their speeds were not identical; therefore, they use a single large capstan with both pinch rollers in contact with it.

The Isolated Loop tape path was developed by Technics which improves wow and flutter (.018%) as well as modulation noise. A large 34mm capstan with 2 pinch rollers makes for a very smooth and stable tape path with an electronic tension control system. The tape tension on the Technics RS-1500 is low compared to many other machines, so for those using older tapes with rippled edges, this may not be ideal. A Quartz-Locked Direct-Drive Capstan Motor completed the well-designed assembly. Logic-controlled electronic braking, which applies reverse torque to the motor prior to deploying a mechanical brake, results in a very smooth transition between function selections and virtually no tape stretch.

Technical Details: 

Track system: 2-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system
Motor: 2 x reel, 1 x capstan
Reel size: Up to 10.5 inch reel spool
Equalization: NAB and now in 2024 with CCIR Eq. 
Tape speeds: Three speeds switchable 33⁄4 / 71⁄2 / 15ips
Wow and flutter: 0.018% (15ips)
Frequency response: 30Hz to 30kHz (15ips)
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

NEW Endless Features A Rebuild Like No Other By Alter Ego Appearance:

• Fully Restored Open Deck To Single Screw
• All Parts Quality 100% Most of them made in the USA
• Multiple VU Meters: LED screens
• High-Resolution Counter
• New the encoder wheel
• New Counter Screen 
• Heads: Slight relapsed and polished 
• Front Panel: Jewellery grade raised metal lettering 
• Exquisite Knobs
• New Buttons and Levers
• Aluminium Precision Screws 
• Zero Magnetic Materials
• New Unbalanced inputs and Outputs
• Calibration: SM-911 pro recording tape
• New Side Panels: Custom Bespoke Handmade 
• Restored by Alter Ego Appearance in the USA

The metal used: aerospace grade titanium, aluminium bronze, stainless steel, nickel,  textured coated front panel and so much more.

• New NAB Adapters: Custom Bespoke Made
• New Reels Spool: Custom Bespoke Made
• Power Cord

Warranty: One Year All Parts and Lifetime Tech Support 
Annual Service: Extra 
Original Box: Not Included
User Manual: Downloadable Copy
Remote: Optional RP-9690 Not Included
Cables: Included
Power Cord: Included

• Physical Condition 10 / 10
• Working Condition 10 / 10 
• Sound Condition 10 / 10

The Ultimate Analogue Reel Tape Sound On Tape | Alter Ego Appearance | Technics Open Reel Decks 

About Alter Ego Appearance

Three years ago Alex Dorin created Alter Ego Appearance. Alex did so in response to the rapidly decreasing availability of Technicians who perform this level of rebuild. Alter Ego Appearance combines art with technical skill, each custom restoration is completed like no other. Custom would be an understatement as each machine is its new creation with new functionality and features and uses only top quality materials, parts and dedicated machinery. Creating brand new front panels, jewellery grade metal lettering, powder coating, 3D printing, coding for custom modifications and much more. No two reel-to-reel tape recorders will ever be identical. Every single part of the tape decks is rebuilt; brand new front panel (from scratch), brand new back panel, all switches, head blocks, caps, motors, EVERYTHING is rebuilt! 

This Technics RS-1500 is a brand-new reel tape recorder with a warranty. Providing complete rebuilds and custom modifications, Alter Ego Appearance brings Technics RS-1500 open reel tape deck restoration to the next level. Alter Ego Appearance is located in Brooklyn, NY, USA.  

Audio reel tape recording has quietly made a resurgence, both in the consumer and professional audio sectors. Considered obsolete as a recording format in the mid-1990s, today the credibility of its return has been assured by the introduction of at least four brand-new tape-recorder models and its use in music composition, performance and album production by major artists. Prices of machines dating from the 1970s and 80s have trebled in the last five years. But this renewed interest has created confusion, myths and a knowledge gap of the format that was rarely seen when tape recorders were the only viable medium to create quality recordings.

Please contact us if you have any questions. We will be pleased to advise you and help you with the purchase process and service. Please make an individual appointment in advance by phone or email messaging. 

Alter Ego Appearance | Enrich For Life