Technics RS BX747 (1993–96)

A 3-head direct drive cassette deck with quartz-controlled motor and advanced tape calibration features.

Overview

The Technics RS-BX747 is a stereo cassette deck made from 1993 to 1996. It was the top model in the Technics cassette deck lineup when it came out. It has a 3-head mechanism with separate record and playback heads, so you can monitor the source while recording. That is rare among cassette decks. The transport is a closed-loop dual capstan system, with two sets of capstan and pinch rollers centered on the head. A cassette half stabilizer presses down on the cassette from above to cut vibration and modulation noise. The deck also has an automatic lead-in function and a door that closes itself when a cassette is inserted.

Specifications

Type	3-head direct drive cassette deck
Heads	Recording / Playback: Permalloy Combination; Erasing: double-gap ferrite
Frequency Response	Normal: 30 Hz to 17 kHz (± 3 dB); CrO2: 30 Hz to 18 kHz (± 3 dB); Metal: 30 Hz to 19 kHz (± 3 dB)
Wow and Flutter	± 0.05% (W peak, EIAJ)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	NR off: 57 dB; Dolby B: 66 dB; Dolby C: 74 dB (Chrome Tape, WTD, 1 kHz, 3% third order distortion)
Input	100mV (line)
Output	0.5V
Power	100 VAC, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption	19W
Dimensions	430 mm (W) × 125 mm (H) × 293 mm (D)
Weight	4.6 kg
Motor Type	Digital servo quartz direct drive motor
Capstan System	Closed-loop dual capstan system
Recording Bias	Selectable: Low, Standard, High
Features	Dolby B/C NR, Dolby HX-PRO, A.T.C. (auto keep calibration), Built-in Memory Stop/Repeat, MPX filter ON/OFF, auto lead-in function
Vibration Damping	T.H.C.B. with hard rubber base between steel plates
Recording Amplifier	Voltage control amplifier and current supply amplifier
Head Construction	High hardness permalloy head with PC-OCC winding

Design

The RS-BX747 uses a 3-head system with separate record and playback heads, and a double-gap ferrite erase head. The tape transport features a closed-loop dual capstan system with two sets of capstan and pinch rollers centered on the head. A cassette half stabilizer presses the cassette from above to minimize vibration and reduce modulation noise. The deck is built with a T.H.C.B. vibration damping base—hard rubber sandwiched between steel plates—to isolate the mechanism from external vibrations. The quartz-controlled digital servo direct drive motor ensures stable tape speed, and the mechanism includes a high-rigidity cassette holder reinforced with glass fiber.

Context

The RS-BX747 was the Technics flagship cassette deck when it was released. It belonged to a series that included the RS-BX701, RS-BX707, RS-BX727, RS-BX808, and RS-BX828, and the 747 sat in a premium spot in that lineup.

Market

The Technics RS-BX747 turns up on the used market on eBay and Reverb. One user reported head wear after four years of use, which suggests the heads may not last under regular use.

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