March 4, 2019 at 13:13The history of Soviet cassette players (part two): the boom of Walkmen, a gadget for the KGB and tape recorders
We continue to talk about Soviet portable cassette recorders. The first part of the material can be found here . It's time for devices with a compact form factor, which are traditionally considered the heirs of the legendary SONY Walkman. Surprisingly, in a relatively short period, Soviet industry developed an impressive number of devices of this kind, many of which became real hits among Soviet youth of the 80s.
For me, this post is also an occasion to nostalgic. My first audio gadget in my life was the Electronics-331-stereo portable tape recorder, which appeared in my family not much later than me, and later I used the same device with my first ZX-Spectrum computer. It was thanks to him that I became interested in music, and for the first time having broken and trying to fix it, I found out that Japanese engines were being put into Soviet tape recorders.
And in the 80s, the Union again lagged behind developed countries in tape recorders by 6–7 years. But, to the credit of those responsible for planning, the lag in portable tape recorder was decreasing quite quickly, in assortment terms, even faster than on other “fronts of the electro-acoustic front”. As you know, the first mass cassette player Sony Walkman TPS-L2 appeared in 1979. So in the fall of 1984, the Soviet counterpart came out - a cassette player or, as it was literally translated at that time, the cassette player "Electronics-Microconcert-Stereo".
The novelty was released by Zelenograd “TochMash”. It is not surprising that the player was copied, which in the 80s was an even more common development practice than before they started. As a prototype, one of the Sony Walkman TPS-L2 modifications was chosen. As in previous cases of arrogant plagiarism (cross out) of skillful copying, only the mechanical part was completely licked, i.e. tape drive. There were problems with electronics, due to the lack of tips in the country for suitable chips.
So the first Soviet player received an electronic filling on loose powder, silicon transistors KT3129 and KT3130 were used as the basis. By 1988, the KF1407UD1 chip was developed, which made it possible to equip the device with the ability to record, and transfer it to the class of compact tape recorders.
They experimented a lot with the device, for example, in 1985 they put on a metal case, thus anticipating the trend of the mid-nineties. However, having released a small series, they returned to plastic, realizing the economic inappropriateness of such a solution. Another characteristic feature of the model, which was not in a Japanese relative, was the built-in microphone of high sensitivity, which appeared long before the device was equipped with a recording function. The microphone served as a hearing aid, and could do this even at the time of playback.
Technologies and solutions worked out at Electronics-Microconcert-Stereo made it possible to create a number of other players. So in 1985, a whole line of players "Electronics-P" appeared, which was produced at the Noviotoronezh factory "Aliot". The base model was Electronics P-401C, which was a classic three-button with one-way rewind, which was able to work 3 hours on four AA batteries.
Its characteristics practically did not differ from the Soviet first-born and were as follows:
Separate mention, in my opinion, deserves the player "Quasar P-405S", which since 1988 has been mass-produced by the Leningrad software named after M.I. Kalinin. This player had an original design and had relatively good characteristics compared to other brothers from the Country of Soviets, for example, an extended frequency range, which was 63 - 12500 Hz.
Also worthy of special mention is the bold development of the Zaporizhzhya Iskra plant NT-P-91. The project combined a small active speaker system and a player. For unknown reasons, the device did not go into series, but the idea was very original for the 80s. The AC form factor is close to what they started to create as multimedia speakers for a computer in the late 90s and early 2000s.
By 1985, the development of devices was implemented, also copying Japanese counterparts, while having advanced functionality. These were compact (mobile) tape recorders. The prototype for the legendary Soviet technology was the no less legendary Sony TCS-310.
The first Soviet-made tape recorder was the Electronics-331-stereo, which was experimentally produced in small series from 1986 to 1989 at the Noviotoronezh enterprise Aliot.
This portable tape recorder was one of the first sound-reproducing devices in my life, along with one from Soviet players. Typically, Electronics-331-Stereo was equipped with a motor and magnetic heads from the company, as well as an RF board from SONY.
And, despite the mass of advantages, it was distinguished by extreme energy gluttony, a tendency to chew tape, and the fact that most repair shops refused to carry out its repair due to the structural complexity of the tape drive mechanism.
The characteristics of the device today may seem mediocre, but for the USSR in 1985, and even with a new form factor, they at least impressed users: Fortunately, SONY designers worked hard to create the original.
The retail price of such headphones outside the kit was 20 rubles.
A complete set of “Electronics-331-stereo” could be purchased for 190 rubles, while the tape recorder was a relative rarity, like many other things in the Soviet Country of the 1980s, it had to be “pulled out”.
A year later, a more simplified “popular” version of the Soviet tape recorder Electronics-Stereo (mini-stereo) appeared, the release of which tentatively started in 1986 at the same Aliot factory. Its characteristics were not very different from the “Electronics-331-stereo”, while the design of the device was simplified, more democratic materials were used. It
looked scary, as it was probably the company's own development. It did not inherit all the diseases of the 331st, for it was structurally simpler, more maintainable. ”It turned out that the“ Electronics-Stereo ”was more adapted to operation in the harsh conditions of Soviet reality than a copy of the eminent Japanese. The
characteristics of the device were as follows:
This tape recorder differed from "Electronics-stereo" only in that it was equipped with two speeds and, accordingly, had 2 operating frequency ranges: 200 - 5000 Hz and 200 - 10000 Hz.
Both “Electronics-Stereo” and its KGB clone were probably equipped with the first “Vladysh” type earphones in the USSR, in the terminology of those years, with TDS-20 microminiature stereo head phones. Traditionally, for Soviet headphones, they were not too ergonomic, but differed in quite decent sound:
The logical continuation of the experimental “Electronics-331-stereo” was a modification with the name “Electronics M-332C”, which practically did not differ externally from its predecessor, while eliminating childhood diseases while maintaining all the characteristics that are significant for quality. The recorder went on sale in 1989 -m year.
As you can see from the photo, it was an improved copy of Sony TCS-310.
One of its modifications “Electronics M-334C” (kangaroo), which, like the others, was produced by the Noviotoronezh factory “Aliot”, deserves special attention. the single-module device consisted of a tape recorder itself, a sound reinforcement and power module, and a passive speaker system.
For simplified differentiation, the modular device has received the designation "Electronics M-334C." It is believed that this modular tape recorder was one of the best in the USSR. Unfortunately, due to the extremely limited batch, there is little information about this device and it’s hard to verify it.
There were many other modular experiments. In addition to the already mentioned “Spring”, the “Amphiton MS” modular tape recorder player deserves attention.
The idea of combining modules of a compact player, an active speaker system and a power supply unit was embodied there. The device was developed by the Omsk ETZ of Karl Marx, where it has been mass-produced since 1987.
He became the first modular serial Soviet tape recorder. There is no data on the number of devices released, but the popularity of a modular system can be easily judged by the number of enterprises that produced them:
Omsk ETZ Karl Marx,
Leningrad plant Novator,
Lvov plant named after Lenin,
Saratov plant of precision electromechanics
Kamenetz-Podolsky plant Elektropribor named 60th anniversary of the USSR.
The characteristics of the device were quite acceptable for the Soviet technology of that period:
Burrowing into the topic of Soviet tape recorder construction, I began to realize that I could barely manage with four materials, due to the fact that there were a lot of cassettes worthy of writing about them in the USSR. The boom in the development and production of compact cassettes has come to naught after the collapse of the Union, mainly due to the subsequent collapse or reprofiling of enterprises. In just a short period before 1991, more than 50 models of compact players and tape recorders were developed, about half of which were mass-produced.
After 1991, only about 10 models of these classes were known, and most of them were only introduced into the series in the 90s, and the main stages of development were overcome until the 91st year. The last domestic player is considered to be the cassette player "Russia KP-708", which was released in 2000. The engines of almost all Soviet players were Japanese, later Chinese and Malaysian, an impressive part of technical solutions was borrowed in Japan and in the west. Meanwhile, it was a bright and interesting page in the Soviet tape industry, and some of the decisions of Soviet engineers were no less talented than those of foreign neighbors. Traditionally I would appreciate comments. Photo
content used:
www.rw6ase.narod.ru
www.flickr.com/photos/41902337@N07
daxgarth.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/compact-cassette-proton-ussr
stereo.ru
forums.balancer.ru/tech/forum/2012/07/t66563_2--muzej-elektronnykh-raritetov.html
www.radiomuseum. org / r / grundig_c100l.html
igrovoetv.online
(If you are against using your photos in our material - write to us and we will replace them)
Jeans
We sell electronics. In our catalog a wide range of audio and video equipment, accessories, switching.
For me, this post is also an occasion to nostalgic. My first audio gadget in my life was the Electronics-331-stereo portable tape recorder, which appeared in my family not much later than me, and later I used the same device with my first ZX-Spectrum computer. It was thanks to him that I became interested in music, and for the first time having broken and trying to fix it, I found out that Japanese engines were being put into Soviet tape recorders.
Soviet player boom
And in the 80s, the Union again lagged behind developed countries in tape recorders by 6–7 years. But, to the credit of those responsible for planning, the lag in portable tape recorder was decreasing quite quickly, in assortment terms, even faster than on other “fronts of the electro-acoustic front”. As you know, the first mass cassette player Sony Walkman TPS-L2 appeared in 1979. So in the fall of 1984, the Soviet counterpart came out - a cassette player or, as it was literally translated at that time, the cassette player "Electronics-Microconcert-Stereo".
The novelty was released by Zelenograd “TochMash”. It is not surprising that the player was copied, which in the 80s was an even more common development practice than before they started. As a prototype, one of the Sony Walkman TPS-L2 modifications was chosen. As in previous cases of arrogant plagiarism (cross out) of skillful copying, only the mechanical part was completely licked, i.e. tape drive. There were problems with electronics, due to the lack of tips in the country for suitable chips.
So the first Soviet player received an electronic filling on loose powder, silicon transistors KT3129 and KT3130 were used as the basis. By 1988, the KF1407UD1 chip was developed, which made it possible to equip the device with the ability to record, and transfer it to the class of compact tape recorders.
They experimented a lot with the device, for example, in 1985 they put on a metal case, thus anticipating the trend of the mid-nineties. However, having released a small series, they returned to plastic, realizing the economic inappropriateness of such a solution. Another characteristic feature of the model, which was not in a Japanese relative, was the built-in microphone of high sensitivity, which appeared long before the device was equipped with a recording function. The microphone served as a hearing aid, and could do this even at the time of playback.
Technologies and solutions worked out at Electronics-Microconcert-Stereo made it possible to create a number of other players. So in 1985, a whole line of players "Electronics-P" appeared, which was produced at the Noviotoronezh factory "Aliot". The base model was Electronics P-401C, which was a classic three-button with one-way rewind, which was able to work 3 hours on four AA batteries.
Its characteristics practically did not differ from the Soviet first-born and were as follows:
In the future, on its basis, an even more simplified economy version with mono sound was released, as well as an experimental batch of compact radio tape recorders with a VHF receiver.
- belt speed: 4.76 cm / sec;
- knock coefficient: 0.5%;
- range of audio frequencies at the output for stereo phones: 63 ... 12500 Hz;
- harmonic ratio: 2.5%;
- rated output power: 2x5 mW.
- Consumption current: 150 mA.
- overall dimensions: 154х90х38.
- weight without elements: 300 gr.
Separate mention, in my opinion, deserves the player "Quasar P-405S", which since 1988 has been mass-produced by the Leningrad software named after M.I. Kalinin. This player had an original design and had relatively good characteristics compared to other brothers from the Country of Soviets, for example, an extended frequency range, which was 63 - 12500 Hz.
Also worthy of special mention is the bold development of the Zaporizhzhya Iskra plant NT-P-91. The project combined a small active speaker system and a player. For unknown reasons, the device did not go into series, but the idea was very original for the 80s. The AC form factor is close to what they started to create as multimedia speakers for a computer in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Catch up and overtake “Electronics-331-stereo”
By 1985, the development of devices was implemented, also copying Japanese counterparts, while having advanced functionality. These were compact (mobile) tape recorders. The prototype for the legendary Soviet technology was the no less legendary Sony TCS-310.
The first Soviet-made tape recorder was the Electronics-331-stereo, which was experimentally produced in small series from 1986 to 1989 at the Noviotoronezh enterprise Aliot.
This portable tape recorder was one of the first sound-reproducing devices in my life, along with one from Soviet players. Typically, Electronics-331-Stereo was equipped with a motor and magnetic heads from the company, as well as an RF board from SONY.
And, despite the mass of advantages, it was distinguished by extreme energy gluttony, a tendency to chew tape, and the fact that most repair shops refused to carry out its repair due to the structural complexity of the tape drive mechanism.
The characteristics of the device today may seem mediocre, but for the USSR in 1985, and even with a new form factor, they at least impressed users: Fortunately, SONY designers worked hard to create the original.
Included with the tape recorder were overhead headphones TDS-13, which have impressive characteristics:
- The working range of sound frequencies, including the output signal: 40 - 10000 Hz;
- Signal to noise ratio: - 48 dB;
- Deviation of the tape speed from the nominal value: + -2%;
- CVL detonation coefficient - 0.35%;
- Rated output power 2x20 mW.
- nominal frequency range: 20 - 20,000 Hz;
- rated electrical resistance: 2x40 Ohm;
- rated power: 100 mW;
- maximum power: 150 mW .;
- SOI: no more than 1%;
- Weight: 37 grams.
The retail price of such headphones outside the kit was 20 rubles.
A complete set of “Electronics-331-stereo” could be purchased for 190 rubles, while the tape recorder was a relative rarity, like many other things in the Soviet Country of the 1980s, it had to be “pulled out”.
KGB flagship killer and gadget
A year later, a more simplified “popular” version of the Soviet tape recorder Electronics-Stereo (mini-stereo) appeared, the release of which tentatively started in 1986 at the same Aliot factory. Its characteristics were not very different from the “Electronics-331-stereo”, while the design of the device was simplified, more democratic materials were used. It
looked scary, as it was probably the company's own development. It did not inherit all the diseases of the 331st, for it was structurally simpler, more maintainable. ”It turned out that the“ Electronics-Stereo ”was more adapted to operation in the harsh conditions of Soviet reality than a copy of the eminent Japanese. The
characteristics of the device were as follows:
Interestingly, a device based on “Electronics-stereo” in 1990 developed a specialized tape recorder for special services, pathetically called “Information Conservation Device“ Yaz-0 ”.
- The working range of sound frequencies, including the output signal: 40 - 10000Hz;
- Signal to noise ratio: 42;
- Deviation of the tape speed from the nominal value: + -2%;
- CVL detonation coefficient - 0.45% (stereo) - 0.35% (331);
- Rated output power: 2x20 mW.
This tape recorder differed from "Electronics-stereo" only in that it was equipped with two speeds and, accordingly, had 2 operating frequency ranges: 200 - 5000 Hz and 200 - 10000 Hz.
Both “Electronics-Stereo” and its KGB clone were probably equipped with the first “Vladysh” type earphones in the USSR, in the terminology of those years, with TDS-20 microminiature stereo head phones. Traditionally, for Soviet headphones, they were not too ergonomic, but differed in quite decent sound:
- Frequency Response Range: 20 - 20,000 Hz;
- Input impedance 40 Ohm;
- Rated input power 3 mW;
- Harmonic Ratio: less than 1%
- Nameplate power: 100 mW.
Development and experiments
The logical continuation of the experimental “Electronics-331-stereo” was a modification with the name “Electronics M-332C”, which practically did not differ externally from its predecessor, while eliminating childhood diseases while maintaining all the characteristics that are significant for quality. The recorder went on sale in 1989 -m year.
As you can see from the photo, it was an improved copy of Sony TCS-310.
One of its modifications “Electronics M-334C” (kangaroo), which, like the others, was produced by the Noviotoronezh factory “Aliot”, deserves special attention. the single-module device consisted of a tape recorder itself, a sound reinforcement and power module, and a passive speaker system.
For simplified differentiation, the modular device has received the designation "Electronics M-334C." It is believed that this modular tape recorder was one of the best in the USSR. Unfortunately, due to the extremely limited batch, there is little information about this device and it’s hard to verify it.
There were many other modular experiments. In addition to the already mentioned “Spring”, the “Amphiton MS” modular tape recorder player deserves attention.
The idea of combining modules of a compact player, an active speaker system and a power supply unit was embodied there. The device was developed by the Omsk ETZ of Karl Marx, where it has been mass-produced since 1987.
He became the first modular serial Soviet tape recorder. There is no data on the number of devices released, but the popularity of a modular system can be easily judged by the number of enterprises that produced them:
Omsk ETZ Karl Marx,
Leningrad plant Novator,
Lvov plant named after Lenin,
Saratov plant of precision electromechanics
Kamenetz-Podolsky plant Elektropribor named 60th anniversary of the USSR.
The characteristics of the device were quite acceptable for the Soviet technology of that period:
The great advantage of the system was its battery life, so the player withstood up to 4 hours when working on six D-0.25 batteries, and the system was assembled for up to 10 hours when working on 343 batteries. the modular system was produced by the same Omsk ETZ named after Karl Marx under the name Saturn-401C.
- Belt speed: 4.76 cm / s;
- knock coefficient: 0.5%;
- frequency range: 63 ... 12500 Hz;
- noise level in the playback channel: -44 dB;
- power at the output of telephones: 2x2.5 mW;
- player dimensions: 138x337x88 mm; weight: 0.5 kg;
- output power; AAS: 2x0; 5 W;
- frequency range: 150 - 16000 Hz.
Total
Burrowing into the topic of Soviet tape recorder construction, I began to realize that I could barely manage with four materials, due to the fact that there were a lot of cassettes worthy of writing about them in the USSR. The boom in the development and production of compact cassettes has come to naught after the collapse of the Union, mainly due to the subsequent collapse or reprofiling of enterprises. In just a short period before 1991, more than 50 models of compact players and tape recorders were developed, about half of which were mass-produced.
After 1991, only about 10 models of these classes were known, and most of them were only introduced into the series in the 90s, and the main stages of development were overcome until the 91st year. The last domestic player is considered to be the cassette player "Russia KP-708", which was released in 2000. The engines of almost all Soviet players were Japanese, later Chinese and Malaysian, an impressive part of technical solutions was borrowed in Japan and in the west. Meanwhile, it was a bright and interesting page in the Soviet tape industry, and some of the decisions of Soviet engineers were no less talented than those of foreign neighbors. Traditionally I would appreciate comments. Photo
content used:
www.rw6ase.narod.ru
www.flickr.com/photos/41902337@N07
daxgarth.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/compact-cassette-proton-ussr
stereo.ru
forums.balancer.ru/tech/forum/2012/07/t66563_2--muzej-elektronnykh-raritetov.html
www.radiomuseum. org / r / grundig_c100l.html
igrovoetv.online
(If you are against using your photos in our material - write to us and we will replace them)
Jeans
We sell electronics. In our catalog a wide range of audio and video equipment, accessories, switching.