Panasonic RS-740US (Early 1970s)
The RS-740US is a quadraphonic open-reel tape deck, sold in the early 1970s under the "Technics by Panasonic" designation. It was one of the first products to carry that upscale brand name. Audio (July 1973, p.50) reviewed it and found good all-round performance for what it called a modest price of $449.95.
The deck could record and play four-channel sound. Each channel had its own level control for recording and tape bias. Panasonic's own advertising in High Fidelity (November 1971, p.23) pushed the patented Hot Pressed Ferrite heads, claiming 25% broader frequency response than conventional heads. It also listed a dual-speed hysteresis synchronous capstan motor and separate four-pole torque motors for fast forward and rewind. Beyond those fragments, the documentation trail is thin. The model turns up in a 1974 Audio open-reel directory, but little else in the way of detailed period coverage survives.
Known details:
- Quadraphonic (4-channel) open-reel tape deck — records and plays 4-channel sound
- "Technics by Panasonic" branding
- $449.95 (1973)
- Patented Hot Pressed Ferrite heads
- Dual-speed hysteresis synchronous capstan motor; separate 4-pole torque motors for fast forward/rewind
- Individual level controls per channel for recording and tape bias
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