Technics RS B555 (1988–1990)
A direct-drive cassette deck from Technics' late-era lineup, built in Japan for high-fidelity tape playback and digitization.
Overview
The Technics RS-B555 is a 2-head, single compact cassette deck. Technics (a brand of Panasonic/Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.) built it in Japan from 1988 to 1990. It came in black and was designed for stereo recording and playback, with an emphasis on mechanical reliability and low noise. It handles Type I, II, and IV tapes and has Dolby B, C, and HX Pro noise reduction. There is no auto reverse and no pitch control. You do get title search, an electronic tape counter, and a microphone input. It is noted for playing and digitizing cassette collections.
Specifications
| Power consumption | 21 W |
| Dimensions | 430 x 125 x 290 mm (W x H x D) |
| Weight | 4.4 kg |
| Number of inputs | 2 (line/mic) |
| Number of outputs | 2 (line) |
| Tape Heads | Hard permalloy double-gap ferrite head |
| Motors | 2 motors (logic-controlled transport, direct-drive capstan) |
| Wow & Flutter | 0.05% (WRMS) |
| Tape Type Compatibility | Type I (Fe), Type II (CrO₂), Type IV (Metal) |
| Frequency response (DIN) | Type I (Fe): 20 Hz - 16 kHz; Type II (CrO₂): 20 Hz - 17 kHz; Type IV (Metal): 20 Hz - 18 kHz |
| Signal-to-noise ratio (CrO₂ tape, 3% THD) | with Dolby C: 74 dB (CCIR); with Dolby B: 66 dB (CCIR); without NR: 56 dB (A-weighted) |
| Auto Reverse | No |
| Title search | Yes |
| Noise Reduction | Dolby B, Dolby C, Dolby HX Pro |
| MPX Filter | Yes |
| Pitch control | No |
| CD Synchro Recording | Not specified |
Design
The RS-B555 uses a direct-drive capstan system with a beltless, logic-controlled transport. The motors are Digital Servo Direct Drive (DD) types, and the recording/playback circuitry is Technics' Linear Magna-Field Class AA. Other features are bias adjustment, an electronic tape counter, a microphone input, and an MPX filter. The head is a hard permalloy double-gap ferrite type.
Market
The original price was approximately 600 DM. A 2026 listing shows a refurbished unit at CAD $250.00.
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