Technics RS-690U
Dolby B NR Wired Remote Control Full Logic Direct Drive 3 Head

The Technics RS-690U is a stereo cassette deck with Dolby B noise reduction, it was introduced by Technics in 1977 and discontinued 2 years later in 1979.

The main features of the Technics RS-690U cassette deck are: 3 discrete heads and off-tape monitoring, analog 3 digit tape counter, manual tape type selection with support for normal, chrome and ferro-chrome tapes, dual capstan transport.

Typical front loading cassette deck with the cassette compartiment located on the left side of the deck. Tape eject is operated mechanically and the cassette needs to be placed diagonally in the cassette well.

Level meters used on the Technics RS-690U cassette deck are analog needle VU reading meters. Full-logic transport controls used on the Technics RS-690U let it respond to the slightest finger contact for fast and effortless transport function selection.

To ensure the best response from the wide variety of tapes available adjustment of, bias, equalization and sensitivity, to optimum levels can be performed prior to recording.

The Dolby-B system reduces tape hiss on tapes recorded on the Technics RS-690U by as much as 10 dB at the highest frequencies. To further maintain recording accuracy, the RS-690U incorporates a switchable multiplex filter. When you record FM stereo broadcasts, the MPX filter of the RS-690U can be swiched on to prevent the standard 19kHz FM pilot signal from interfering with the noise reduction system.

To make live recordings this deck has 2 microphone inputs to connect microphones with a jack connector. For undisturbed listening a jack connector for a pair of stereo headphones is supplied. Connection to other audio components for plaback can be achieved by a RCA cable and recording from a source by a RCA cable. All main transport commands can be issued remotely with a wired remote control.

Compact Cassette
  • 3 Head
  • HPF Head
  • Closed Loop
  • 3 Motor

Historic events

1977 Tandy Radio Shack released its version of a personal home computer called the TRS-80.
1978 The first satellite in the modern Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) is launched.
1979 Philips introduced the Video 2000-system (also known as 'Video Compact Cassette' or VCC)

Features of Technics RS-690U

Calibration
Calibration
400Hz Test Tone Manual Bias Calibration Manual Level Calibration Manual EQ Calibration 8kHz Test Tone
Connectors
Connectivity
2 Mono Microphone Inputs Ground Terminal RCA Input/Output Connectors Headphones Front Input Connector Wired Remote Control
Display
Display
3-Digıt Mechanical Counter Remaining Time Analog Needle Meters
Cassette Exterior
Exterior
Orientation Left 19-Inch EIA Rack Mounting Black Finish Front Loading
Compact Cassette
General
Stereo
Head Configuration
Head Configuration
3 Head Desiǥn 4 Track / 2 Channel Seperate Record and Playback Heads
Indicators
Indicators
Record Power Cassette Back Lighting Chrome Tape
Noise Resuction
Noise Reduction
Dolby-B Noise Reduction Dolby FM MPX Filter
Controls
Operation
Full Logic Transport Control Auto-Play Programing Timer Timer Recording/Playback Real-Time Tape Monitoring
Power
Power Requirements
Alternating Current
Preamplifier
Preamplifier
Individual Output Level Controls Microphone Level Adjust (Left/Right) Individual Input Level Controls Headphone Volume Control
Tape Speed
Speed
1⅞ ips - 4.76 cm/s
Tape
Tape
Normal Tape Capabilıty Ferro-Chrome Tape Capabilıty Chrome Tape Capabilıty Manual Tape Type Selection
Transport
Transport
Auto Shutoff Direct Drive (Capsŧan) Mechanical Tape Loading Dual-Capsŧan Transport Diagonal Front Tape Loading 3x Motor Mechanism

Similar to Technics RS-690U from the period 1977 - 1979