Grundig TK-23A
The Grundig TK-23A is a four-track, two-speed automatic/manual tape recorder. It turned up in British audio magazines in the mid-1960s. Amateur Tape Recorder (March 1965, p.18) made it "Tape Recorder of the Month," reviewed by F.C. Judd. The review noted that Grundig's UK service operation could supply any spare part for any of their tape recorders. Service turnaround ran over three weeks.
Studio Sound (July 1965, p.33) tested the TK-23A and reported that its playback characteristic closely conformed to the then-standard DIN and CCIR 140 µs time constant, with identical response measured on both top and bottom tracks.
A later Studio Sound equipment review (June 1966, p.32) gave the manufacturer's specification for what appears to be the same model. It is a quarter-track automatic recorder that takes 7-inch reels and runs at 7½ and 3¾ ips. Wow and flutter was rated at 0.2%. Frequency response was 40 Hz - 16 kHz at the higher speed (+3/-5 dB) and 40 Hz - 15 kHz at the lower. Output was 4 watts into a built-in 5-ohm elliptical speaker measuring 4½ by 3½ inches. Input sensitivity was 2.2 - 45 mV across 1.5 megohms, and a high-impedance output delivered 700 mV across 15 kilohms. Maximum distortion was specified at 5%. Dimensions were 13½ by 11½ by 7 inches, and the list price was £49 7s.
The available sources record no production years, total sales or later service history. Surviving documentation on the TK-23A is limited to these period reviews.
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