Technics RS-B68R (1984)
A high-fidelity auto-reverse cassette deck with dbx and Dolby B/C noise reduction, built for precision and ease of use.
Overview
The Technics RS-B68R is an auto-reverse stereo cassette deck introduced in 1984, designed for high-quality analog tape recording and playback. Manufactured by Technics, it features advanced tape handling and signal processing for its era, including dbx and Dolby noise reduction systems, an infrared-based tape inversion sensor, and an auto tape selector that detects and adjusts to the type of cassette inserted. The deck supports Normal, CrO₂, and Metal tapes with extended frequency response across all types, and includes a built-in music selector for track skipping and single-song repeat.
Specifications
| Type | Stereo cassette deck |
| Heads | Recording / Playback : AX Amorphous; Erase : 2 x Double Gap Ferrite |
| Motor | Electronically controlled DC motor for capstan; Reel motor |
| Wow flutter | 0.045%(W.R.M.S.) |
| Frequency characteristic | Normal (ED) : 20 Hz to 18 kHz, 40 Hz to 16 kHz ± 3 dB (EIAJ); CrO 2 (EX) : 20 Hz to 19 kHz, 40 Hz to 17 kHz ± 3 dB (EIAJ); Metal (EM) : 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 40 Hz to 18 kHz ± 3 dB (EIAJ) |
| Dynamic range | 110 dB (dbx in, 1 kHz, EX Tape) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | NR off : 58 dB (EX Tape, WTD, 1 kHz, 3% third order distortion); Dolby B NR in : 66 dB (EX Tape, WTD, 1 kHz, 3% third order distortion); Dolby C NR in : 72 dB (EX Tape, WTD, 1 kHz, 3% third order distortion); Dbx in : 92 dB (EX tape, WTD, 1 kHz, 3% third order distortion) |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance | Mic : 0.25mV/400 Ω ~ 10k Ω; Line : 60mV/47k Ω |
| Output Level / Impedance | Line : 400mV/1.5k Ω; Headphone : 0.8mW/8 Ω (compatible impedance 8 Ω ~ 600 Ω) |
| Power | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | Approx. 16W |
| Maximum external dimensions | Width 430x Height 98x Depth 273 mm (Including Knob and Rubber Foot) |
| Weight | Approx. 5 kg |
Design
The RS-B68R uses a dbx system that compresses the audio signal to 1/2 during recording and expands it by 2x during playback, achieving a dynamic range of 110 dB. It features a 3 noise reduction configuration with Dolby B, C, and dbx. The reverse mechanism includes an infrared sensor for inversion detection and offers three modes: single-sided, double-sided, and double-sided loop, with a direction selector to manually switch tape movement. The recording and playback head is a newly developed thrust hold AX rotary head made of amorphous alloy, ensuring consistent azimuth alignment on both A and B sides. The deck includes a built-in music selector for track navigation and repeat, along with blank skip and auto REC mute functions. An auto tape selector detects tape type and adjusts accordingly, and a timer standby mechanism is also included. Available in silver and black color options.
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