Aiwa CS-72
A 3-band radio cassette boombox with stereo recording, dual condenser microphones, and a 2-way speaker system.
Overview
The Aiwa CS-72 is a 3-band compatible radio cassette recorder from Aiwa Co., Ltd. It receives FM, SW, and MW, and it plays and records stereo tape. It's a portable boombox with a 3-power system: AC, battery (8 AAA/size-D), or car battery through an adapter. The tape section is a 4-track 2-channel stereo system with AC bias recording and AC erase. It takes C-30, C-60, C-90, and C-120 tapes and gives 60 minutes of recording time on a C-60 tape (round trip). It also has a full auto-stop mechanism, mechanical pause, tape sleep function, and a record mute mechanism.
Specifications
| Receiving Frequency | FM: 76–90 MHz, SW: 3.9–12 MHz, MW: 525 kHz–1,605 kHz |
| Antenna | FM/SW: Whip; MW: Ferrite bar; FM external antenna terminal equipped |
| Tape System | 4-track 2-channel stereo, AC bias, AC erase; supports C-30, C-60, C-90 (C-120) |
| Recording Time | 60 minutes (C-60, both sides) |
| Frequency Response | 40 Hz – 12.5 kHz (Normal), 40 Hz – 15 kHz (CrO2) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 53 dB (Line out, JIS) |
| Wow & Flutter | 0.07% (WRMS) |
| Microphones | 2 built-in condenser microphones; 3.5 mm mic jack x3 |
| Power Output | 6.4W total (3.2W + 3.2W, EIAJ/DC) |
| Speakers | 2 x 12 cm cone woofers; 2 x 4.0 cm cone tweeters (2-way system) |
| Inputs/Outputs | Line in (2-pin), Line out (2-pin), EXT. SP (3.5 mm x2), Phones (6.3 mm) |
| Power Supply | AC: 100 VAC, 50/60 Hz; Battery: 12 VDC (8 AAA/size-D); Car battery with adapter |
| Power Consumption | 14W (AC) |
| Dimensions | 490 mm (W) × 273 mm (H) × 165 mm (D) |
| Weight | 6.4 kg (including batteries) |
| Semiconductors | IC: 12, Transistor: 41, Diode: 19, LED: 10, FET: 1 |
| Attachments | AC power cord, Erase Plug x1 |
Design
The CS-72 uses an ITL/OTL amplifier circuit. The 2-way speaker system has dual 12 cm woofers and dual 4.0 cm tweeters. There's a loudness switch, independent bass/treble tone control, and a 2-meter display with four functions. The transport has an oil damp mechanism for soft cassette ejection, plus the mechanical pause and full auto-stop mechanism. Tape selection is 2-stage for CrO2 tapes. It also has an FM muting mechanism, an AFC switch, and a playback microphone mixing function with volume control. Rounding out the list are a cue/review function, a music sensor for up to 9 songs, and the tape sleep mechanism.
Market
The Aiwa CS-72 had an original price of ¥56,800 around 1979.
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