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1978 Philips N4520
Philips recommend Maxell UD tape, and overall responses at the two highe\
r speeds were very well maintained,
the lower speed also having a good response with particularly outstandin\
g LF. Maximum operating levels at
middle frequencies were all consistent with the tape type used. Overall \
noise levels were again very well
optimised throughout, being very good for quarter-track stereo. A/B leve\
ls can be very well optimised with
presets. All normal erasure figures were better than -70dB; however, the\
quarter-track erase head allowed
some bulk erase noise through, which is to be expected as there was very\
slight crosstalk at VLF between
tracks 2 and 3 due to a slight head height error. The quarter-track ster\
eo performance was much better than
usual, no drop-outs being ever noted. The two equalisations at 38cm/s we\
re very useful, and the DIN curve is
to be recommended for normal use, but the NAB one is unfortunately requi\
red for playing back many
professional tapes. The only mild irritation was that after a complete s\
pool rewind, the reels flapped around for
many seconds before stopping.
Philips' superb electronic design throughout allowed optimum performance\
virtually everywhere, and the
exceptionally low wow and flutter figures allowed piano music at the slo\
w speed to be completely free of
audible wow. The recorded quality must be said to be entirely dependent \
on the tape type, for no reservations
in the electronics can be found. The cueing facility combined with the v\
ariable speed during spooling was found
fascinating (normally found only on semi-professional machines), and t\
he ergonomics were really splendid.
This machine must achieve the strongest recommendation, and the half-tra\
ck version will clearly be well worth
waiting for, although for tape economy the quarter-track model seemed so\
good that it can be safely
purchased. Clearly it provides stem competition for everyone else.
file:///P|/9105%20werkdirectorie/Manufacturers,%20Manuals/Tapedeck/tests\
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