Kenwood KX 700 (c. 1972)
A high-fidelity cassette deck from Trio-Kenwood with Dolby noise reduction and super ferrite heads, priced at ¥49,800 around 1972.
Overview
The Kenwood KX 700, also known as the TRIO KX-700, is a stereo cassette deck made by TRIO-KENWOOD around 1972. It supports Regular, Low Noise, and Chrome tapes up to C-120 and features a 1-motor synchronous double drive system for stable tape transport. Designed for high-fidelity recording and playback, it includes Dolby noise reduction and a solid-state preamplifier using two FETs.
Specifications
| Track format | 4-track 2-channel, stereo / mono |
| Mechanism form | 1-motor synchronous double drive system |
| Tape used | Regular Tape, Low Noise Tape, Chrome Tape C-30, C-60, C-90, C-120 |
| Head Used | S. F. H two head system for both recording and re-erasing |
| Amp | Solid state preamplifier using 2 FET |
| Tape speed | 4.75cm/sec |
| Wow and flutter | 0.1%(wrms) |
| Frequency characteristic | 25 Hz ~ 16000 Hz (Chrome Tape) 25 Hz ~ 13000 Hz (Regular Tape) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | Dolby On: 58 dB (Chrome Tape) 55 dB (Regular Tape) Dolby Off: 48 dB (Chrome Tape) 45 dB (Regular Tape) |
| Recording bias | AC system, 85 kHz |
| Erasing method | AC erase |
| Separation | Track to track : 40 dB or more Channel to channel : 40 dB or more |
| Overall strain rate | 2% or less |
| Input terminal | Mic Input : 2 systems, Minimum input level : 0.3 mv (-68dB) / 600 Ω |
| Input terminal | Line Input : 2 systems, Minimum Input Level : 77.5 mv (-20dB) / 680 Ω |
| Output terminal | Line output : Specified output level : 0.775 V (100k Ω load) |
| Output terminal | Stereo headphone jack : 8 Ω ~ 16 Ω (for headphones) |
| Output terminal | DIN connector Minimum input level : 9.8 mv (-38dB) Specified Output : 0.775 V (100k Ω Load) |
| Fast-forward and rewind time | 75 seconds or less (C-60) |
| Semiconductor used | FET : 2 Transistor : 30 Diode : 21 |
| Power | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Rated power consumption | 20W |
| External dimensions | Width 394x Height 117x Depth 288 mm |
| Weight | 6.1kg |
Design
The KX 700 uses a super ferrite head sintered by a unique method, offering about five times the hardness of conventional permalloy heads. It features a synchronous motor for high constant speed stability and includes a Dolby system that reduces hiss noise by boosting low-level signals during recording and reducing them during playback. A tape selector allows one-touch switching between Regular, Low Noise, and Chrome tapes for optimal performance.
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