A high-end auto-reverse stereo cassette deck with dbx noise reduction and programmable playback
Overview
The Technics RS-B78R is a stereo cassette deck with auto-reverse, and it was the top model in its line. It supports Dolby B and C, plus dbx noise reduction for better dynamic range. The direct music selector lets you program up to 12 songs per side and plays them back in sequence. The reverse mechanism uses infrared inversion detection and gives you three reverse modes: single-sided, double-sided, and double-sided loop. It came in silver and black.
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.) ± 0.095% (W. Peak, EIAJ) |
| 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); 55 dB (EX tape, EIAJ); Dolby B NR in : 66 dB; Dolby C NR in : 72 dB; Dbx in : 92 dB |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance | Mic : 0.25mV/400 Ω ~ 10k Ω; Line : 60mV/47k Ω |
| Output Level / Impedance | Line : 400mV/1.5k Ω; Headset : 2mW/8 Ω (compatible impedance 8 Ω ~ 600 Ω) |
| Power | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | Approx. 20W |
| Maximum external dimensions | Width 430x Height 98x Depth 273 mm (Including Knob and Rubber Foot) |
| Weight | Approx. 5.3 kg |
Design
The RS-B78R uses a newly developed thrust hold AX rotary head made from amorphous alloy. It is designed to eliminate azimuth misalignment in forward and reverse playback, so both sides of the tape perform the same. An auto tape selector detects the tape type and adjusts the settings. There is also an auto input selector and a cue & review function. The dbx system compresses the signal during recording and expands it during playback, for a dynamic range of 110 dB. The 2-way digital counter shows remaining tape time for both A and B sides. Other functions include blank skip, auto REC mute, and repeat playback of selected tracks up to 16 times.
Market
The RS-B78R was originally priced at ¥79,800 around 1983. It sat at the top of Technics' auto-reverse cassette lineup, above the RS-B68R, RS-B58R, RS-B48R, and RS-B28R. It is described as rare on the collector market. Replacement belts are listed separately, which points to common wear over time. A service manual is available.
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