Aiwa TP-S30 (1980)

Name: Aiwa TP-S30
Brand: Aiwa

Personal stereo recorder with metal-tape capability and dual headphone jacks, launched as CassetteBoy in Japan.

Overview

The Aiwa TP-S30 is a personal stereo recorder introduced in 1980 by Aiwa Co. Ltd. It was marketed as CassetteBoy in Japan. It was the world's first personal stereo recorder, so you could record and play back music anywhere. Aiwa built it as a direct competitor to the Sony TPS-L2, and it was Aiwa's entry into the personal stereo market. It is considered a groundbreaking device. The unit is described as "built like a tank," with a metal case and plastic frame, and a "beautiful" cassette mechanism that gets called a "masterpiece." It is compact and handheld, with a window, a manual tape selector and dual headphone jacks.

Specifications

Dimensions (WHD)	139.8 x 80.8 x 26.8 mm
Net weight	365 g
Power	2 x AA batteries (1.5V each)
Battery life	5h (with 2AA)
Frequency range	40–12500 Hz (Type I), 40–16000 Hz (Type II/IV)
Max output	2x33 mW
Wow & flutter	below 0.3%
Features	Metal-tape capability, built-in electret condenser microphone, counter and reset, LED operation indicator, pause, CUE/FFWD, REVIEW/REW, dual headphone jacks, balance control, MIC/AUX inputs, rotary volume, auto stop, hold lock
Functions	DC in, record by input, cue, balance (L/R), supra-aural phone type, LED indicator
Construction	Plastic material, metal case, plastic frame

Design

The TP-S30 has a metal case with a plastic frame, and it is described as "built like a tank." The cassette mechanism is called "beautiful" and "a masterpiece," with many sliding parts designed before CAD. There is a built-in electret condenser microphone, and the deck supports metal-tape recording. It came with color-swappable stickers for the HP-M3 headphones. Output is rated at 2x33 mW, which earned it the label "output beast" for driving headphones effectively.

Context

The TP-S30 launched in 1980 as Aiwa's first model to compete with the Sony TPS-L2. The market already included the Sony WM2, JVC CQ-1K, Sanyo MR-555 and Panasonic RQ-J9. Sony was a major shareholder in Aiwa, and the competition was seen as profitable anyway. The TP-S30 was part of the Cassette Boy series and was nicknamed the "Pocket deck." Aiwa regards it as a legendary product, and it is considered a pioneering device in personal audio.

Market

The original price was 36,800 ¥. Current market value is $694. Common problems are dissolving belts and leaking capacitors, which need full replacement. Restoration is difficult. It is described as "a pain in the bud to fix" and "gave me a hard time, almost gave up on it." A service manual is available, and specific replacement belts are sold.