Harman Kardon CAD-5 (c. 1970–1972)
The Harman Kardon CAD-5 was one of the early cassette decks with Dolby B noise reduction. It arrived right after the company's well-regarded CAD-4. A full-page ad in High Fidelity (March 1972, p.29) argued that adding Dolby to an ordinary deck wasn't enough. The CAD-5 was designed to be a great recorder first, with Dolby as the finishing touch. The same ad claimed a signal-to-noise ratio of 45 dB without Dolby and 55 dB with it, and said the deck used a "better way" than the usual retrofit approach.
The CAD-5 was priced at $230. High Fidelity (March 1972, p.55) reviewed it alongside the Norelco 2100 as examples of opposing noise-reduction philosophies. The Harman-Kardon used Dolby in both record and playback, while the Norelco used DNL (Dynamic Noise Limitation) in playback only. An earlier piece in HiFI/Stereo (October 1970, p.21) declared that the CAD-4 had "made cassettes respectable" and that the CAD-5 would "make them preferable," though the exact performance measurements were not detailed in that snippet. Later test commentary noted one trade-off. The CAD-5 had no automatic pinch-roller disengagement at end-of-tape. The transport just shut off the motor and an "Auto" light went out, whereas several competing decks offered full mechanical stop.
Very little survives beyond these period references in the way of service manuals or detailed circuit descriptions. The CAD-5 was part of Harman Kardon's push into serious cassette performance, at a time when the format was still fighting a "convenience-only" reputation.
Known Specifications (from period sources)
- Type: Stereo cassette deck with Dolby B noise reduction
- Price (1972): $230
- Signal-to-noise ratio without Dolby: 45 dB
- Signal-to-noise ratio with Dolby: 55 dB
- Dolby circuits operated in both record and playback
- End-of-tape behavior: motor shut-off with "Auto" indicator light; no automatic pinch-roller disengagement
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