Grundig TK 46 (1959–1960)

The Grundig TK 46 is a two-track mono reel-to-reel tape recorder from the 1959-1960 period, priced at DM 698. It was a big machine, roughly 35 × 36 × 19 cm and 10.5 kg, built around a valve (tube) amplifier rather than early transistors. The tube complement is listed as two ECL 86s plus an EM 84 magic eye, four valves total. Two motors drive the transport, and it takes reels up to 18 cm.

Period advertising placed the TK 46 at the top of Grundig's lineup alongside the TK 40 and TK 41. Studio Sound (January 1965, p.4) ran Grundig's own promotional material calling the TK 46 a "fully stereophonic" model at 107 guineas. That ad copy appears to describe a later, updated version of the machine, since the TK 46 as documented here is a mono recorder. The same "top trio" campaign appeared in Amateur Tape Recorder (February 1965, p.43).

Documentation on this model is thin. Radiomuseum confirms the basics — two-track mono operation, 19 and 9.5 cm/s speeds, two motors, 18 cm max reel size, and a 5 W power output — while Vintage-Technology.info adds the dimensions, weight, and a few electrical specs. The two sources disagree on frequency response (40 Hz–18 kHz vs. 50 Hz–16 kHz), so treat either figure with caution. Power consumption is listed at 70 W idle and 100 W during playback. Inputs are mic and radio; output is a 3.5 mm jack. The unit runs on 110V, 127V, 220V, or 240V mains.

Known specs:

Two-track mono, record and playback
Speeds: 19 and 9.5 cm/s
Two motors, max reel 18 cm
Valves: ECL 86 (×2), EM 84
Power output: 5 W (at 5% distortion)
Weight: 10.5 kg; 35 × 36 × 19 cm

For buyers, Vintage-Technology.info notes that NOS valves are rare but obtainable, and that perished belts should be checked before purchase. No owner reviews or current market pricing surfaced in the research.