Technics RS-M45 (1979)

A slim, metal tape-compatible stereo cassette deck with direct-drive motors and digital servo control, released in 1979.

Overview

The Technics RS-M45 is a stereo cassette deck built around a new concept called Softom, which means smooth operation and precision. It came out in 1979 and uses a 4-track 2-channel stereo system. It plays normal, XA, and metal tapes. The capstan drive has a flat-faced direct-drive motor under a digital FG servo system, which keeps rotation accurate. The reel drive is a DC motor with a magnetic friction mechanism, so tape handling is quick and stable. The recording amplifier is low-noise and optimized for metal tapes. Level monitoring is done by an 18-segment 2-color FL display with peak hold.

Specifications

Track system	4-track 2-channel stereo
Head configuration	Recording : SX Sendust Head; Erasing : double-gap Sendust ferrite head
Motor used	For Capstan : Digital FG Servo DD Motor; For Reel : Soft ムリール Screwdriver (DC-Motor with Magnetic Friction Mechanism)
Recording bias system	AC bias system
Erasing method	AC erasing method
Tape speed	4.8cm/s
Frequency characteristic	Normal : 20 Hz to 17 kHz; XA : 20 Hz to 18 kHz; Metal : 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio	58 dB (XA tape, peak level)
Dolby NR in	10 db improvement (5 khz or higher)
Wow and flutter	0.035%WRMS
Input Mic	Maximum Input Sensitivity 0.25 mv (-72dB) / Applicable Impedance 400 Ω ~ 10k Ω
Input Line	Maximum input sensitivity 60 mv (-24dB)
Output Line out	Reference output level 420 mv (-7.5 db) / load impedance 22k Ω or more
Output Headset (variable)	Maximum power level 125 mv (8 Ω), 520 mv (125 Ω)
Semiconductor used	Transistor : 67; IC : 11; Diode : 27 (Including LED); Rectifier : 2
Power	100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz
Power consumption	25W
External dimensions	Width 430x Height 97.5x Depth 345 mm
Weight	Approx. 6.1 kg

Design

The capstan motor has its rotor and stator facing front-to-back, and an all-round integration type digital FG servo controls its rotation. The reel drive is a newly developed softom reel driver, with a DC motor and a magnetic friction mechanism. Control is by IC logic with feather-touch keyboard switches (0.8 mm stroke, 70g pressure). That makes the control pure electronic, and it lets you go straight from fast forward or rewind to play. There is a 4-position tape selector and an 18-segment 2-color FL display with auto-reset peak hold and two-second memory. Tape ejection is the oil dump type. A high-gain headphone amplifier gives variable output volume.

Market

The RS-M45 was sold with the optional remote control box RP-9645, priced at ¥6,000 at launch.

eBay Listings

Technics RS M45 vintage audio equipment - eBay listing photo 1

Replacement Belt(s) Technics RS-M45 RSM45 RS M45 Cassette Ta

$9.82

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