Sanyo RD-5350 cassette deck

A front-loading Dolby cassette deck featuring: bias and equalization selectors for "normal", ferrichrome and chrome tapes; two calibrated VU meters; three peak record level indicators calibrated at 0 VU, +3 dB, +6 dB; automatic and of tape stop/disengage; time control through the pause mode that permits a timer-controlled start in the record mode; a record mute that turns off the input signal when the tape is driving in the record mode; a reset counter. The tape mechanism is one of the best we've seen in terms of loading, overall handling, and cleaning of the tape path. It's an excellent front loader for handling by young children.

The Sanyo RD-5350 Dolby cassette deck has one of the most advanced drive motors ever put in a tape machine. It's a new frequency generator DC motor with Phase Locked Loop speed control servo that actually checks and corrects for even the most infinitesimal speed variations 1,247 times every second.

This hair-splitting accuracy helps give the RD5350 one of the lowest  wow and flutter figures in the industry; 0,05% WRMS. And lets the drive system ignore line voltage fluctuations, and breeze right through even "sticky" cassettes without missing a beat.

Naturally, the RD-5350 has one of the most rugged, precision tape transports available today and high performaance electronics. As a result, you get superior specs like 30 -17,000 Hz response (±3 dB, CrO₂ tape) and 64 dB Signal-to-Noise ratio with Dolby. Which is more Hz and less noise than you'll find on the discs and broadcasts you tape.

You also get advanced featres like 3 peak indicating LED's (0, +3, and +6 VU), separate input and output level controls, a Record Mute button for erasing short sections of tape, and a timer standby feature  for taping programs when you're not around.

1,247 times a second this motor checks itself for perfect speed.

How it works - Built into RD-5350 motor is a 68 pole tacho generator that produces a series of pulses proportional  to the motor speed. In the Phase Locked Loop integrated circuit, these pulses are compared with the signal from the precision reference oscillator (1246,7 Hz) if even a singe pulse is found to be slightly out of phase, power to the motor  is adjusted by a econd integrated circuit to restore synchronization. This process takes place independent of fluctuations in load or AC line voltage.

Performance:

The playback frequency response from a standard test tape with a 50 to 10,000 Hz range measured +1,5/-0 dB. Using TDK-AD tape:

Without Dolby, the record/play frequency response measured +0,6/-1,8 dB from 40 to 14,000 Hz, down 2,5 dB at 35 and 15,000 Hz. Distortion at the meter-indicated 0-VU record level was 1,1% T.H.D. with 5 dB headroom to 3% T.H.D. The Signal-to-Noise ratio referenced to 0-VU record level was 49,5 dB.

With the Dolby active, the record/play frequency response measured +1,5/-2,5 dB from 35 to 13,000 Hz. Distortion and headroom remained the same. The Signal-to-Noise ratio referenced to 0-VU record level was 55 dB wideband; 59,5 dB narrowband.

Using Scotch Master III  Ferrichrome tape:

With the Dolby active, the record/play frequency response measured +0/-3 dB from 38 to 15,000 Hz.

Distortion at the meter-indicated 0-VU record level was 1,3% T.H.D. with 5 dB headroom to 3% T.H.D.

The Signal-to-Noise ratio referenced to 0-VU record level was 57 dB wideband; 65 dB narrowband.

Using Scotch Master II Chrome tape:

The record/play frequency response measured +0/-2,5 dB from 35 to 14,000 Hz.

Distortion at the meter-indicated 0-VU record level was 2% T.H.D. with 3 dB headroom to 3% T.H.D.

The Signal-to-Noise ratio referenced to 0-VU record level was 57 dB wideband; 65 dB narrowband.

The maximum output level corresponding to a 0-VU record level was nominally 620 mV

The peak record level indicator calibrations were precisely on the mark at 0-VU, -3 dB, +6 dB.

Wow and Flutter measured 0,09% with peaks to 0,15%

Overall Dimensions  (W x H x D):  16-5/8" x 6-1/8" x11-7/16"

Weight :  13,2 lbs