Tape recorder "Saturn": history, description, principle of operation

The reel-to-reel tape recorder "Saturn" was produced by the Omsk plant named after. Karl Marx from the beginning of the 70s of the XX century. There were several models in total, the most successful are: "Saturn 201", "Saturn 202". Tape recorders had a number of remarkable characteristics and were very popular in the Soviet Union.

Record player "Saturn 201 stereo" worked on transistors, began to be produced in Omsk in the late 70s of the last century (1977). The unit had four tracks and two speeds. The recording quality was excellent, not inferior to that of a Japanese or German mark tape recorder. Unfortunately, the design and design of the model left much to be desired, it was difficult to compare with products from "Grunding" or "Sony". Western manufacturers have always paid great attention to the presentation of household appliances.

The "progenitor" of this model was Saturn 301 the device is very successful in terms of construction. The model was in good demand, produced since 1972. There was a dial indicator, fashionable for those times, showing the recording level, a tape rewind counter. The recording could be listened to through the built-in loudspeakers and headphones, the sound quality was excellent, not inferior to foreign counterparts.

Linear output playback range:

• at a speed of 19.06 cm / s - 18 MHz;
• at a speed of 9.54 cm / s - 12.5 Hz;
• detonation level;
• detonation coefficient: 19.06 cm / s - ± 0.16%, 9.54 cm / s - ± 0.26%;
• LF timbre level - 15.5 dB;
• power for built-in loudspeakers - 2 watts;
• external speaker - 6 watts;
• power from the network - 50 W;
• dimensions - 413x363x164 mm;
• weight - 11.7 kg.

In the reel-to-reel tape recorder, the tape played a decisive role, it was on it that all the information was accumulated. For Saturn, a film with a width of 6.26 mm was suitable. In terms of thickness, there were options (microns):

• 56;
• 38;
• 28;
• 18.

Films of the first type were considered more durable, their disadvantage was that more tension was required for a tighter fit to the reading element. The Saturn tape recorder had sufficient resources, any type of tapes worked on it without complications.

The disadvantage of the "thick" film was that it could fit 170 meters less on a large reel. Most often, bobbins with a film of medium thickness were used, although their strength factor was noticeably inferior. The best tape that was suitable for Saturn tape recorders is Svema and Slavich. Of the foreign analogs, the "Saturn" tape recorder played the best films:

• Sony;
• BASF;
• Agfa.

BASF was considered the most perfect, it had a more solid base and better technical characteristics, the film with the addition of chromium was especially appreciated.

The basic model for tape recorders "Saturn" was Jupiter 203 stereo. Possessed the second category of complexity, good layout. The originality of the device was given by the regulators - "sliders", as well as the graphics of various frequencies. The "Saturn" had a dynamic filter to lower the UWB, in those days it was considered an innovation, it gave the model additional advantages.

"Saturn" could sound on external speakers and built-in speakers. The power is only 8 watts. Saturn 202 stereo»Has been manufactured since 1982 at a plant in Omsk.

Peculiarities:

• working position - vertical;
• volume frequency regulators "sliders";
• there is a frequency filter (UWB "Mayak");
• hitch-hiking;
• automatic power off;
• the front panel has a jack for connecting a remote control;
• coils are as large as possible, fit No. 18.

TTX tape recorder:

1. film movement - 19.06 and 9.54 cm / sec;
2. frequencies range from 39.9 to 29 MHz;
3. tape recorder weight - 17.1 kg;
4. "Saturn 202-2" - heads, mechanics, LPPM;
5. detonation coefficient: 19.06 cm / s - ± 0.14%. 9.54 cm / sec - ± 0.26%;
6. noise - 52 dB;
7. power - 2x10 W;
8. power consumption - 96 W;
9. parameters - 478x392x212 mm;
10. acoustic system - weight 2x10.1 kg;
11. power - 13.3 W.

Without acoustics, the tape recorder was quite expensive, more than 500 rubles, together with the speakers, the cost increased to 655 rubles. It was possible to buy this device by appointment.

In such models, there was a hitchhiking, after playing songs and ending the tape, an automatic shutdown worked after a couple of minutes. The work control knobs were convenient:

• recording;
• reproduction;
• rewind;
• stop.

For their time, the Saturn models were progressive mechanisms, they favorably distinguished themselves with a good level of sound reproduction. The recording level was also excellent and corresponded to the level of world standards. In operation, the device was distinguished by its reliability and simplicity of design.

For information on the principle of operation of the Saturn tape recorder, see the next video.