Technics RS-1500 Reel to Reel Deck - Custom Wood with Rare Original Remote

Description

SkyFi Audio - Curators of Vintage Audio Gear
SkyFi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of high end audio equipment. We only buy equipment that we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, no junk.
Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold. We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.
Through our sister company, which is an authorized dealer for McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, ClearAudio, Project, and Sony ES, we have access to OEM parts, service, and support.
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This RS-1500 arrived in a working state so we just cleaned it up, added some custom solid wood panels, and gave it a good and thorough testing.
Best of all it comes with a rather rare original Technics RP-9690 wired remote control.
The RS-1500 is a favorite among audiophiles for its ability to run at high speed 15 IPS, play back 1/4 and 1/2 track, and record at 1/2 track.
Happy to report its working well for both playback and record.
Also included with your purchase is one original Technics take up reel pictured on the right of the deck.
Please note the silver test tape and reel on the left is *not* included, but if you remind us with a note in your checkout we'll include a second silver take up reel (Reel brand to vary).
Cosmetic condition is good with some light signs of use.
Technics RS-1500 Technical Details:
• Quartz-Locked "Isolated Loop" Open-Faced Reel
• 3 Motor Direct Drive
• 2 Track 2-Channel Record/Playback
• 2 Track 2-Channel Playback w/3 Speeds
• 3 1/4, 7 1/2, and 15 ips
• 5" to 10.5" Reels
• 4 Heads, Auto Stop, NAB
• Bias, EQ and Pitch Controls
The SkyFi Testing Process for Tape Decks and Reel to Reel Machines:
First steps are performed to determine if the unit is a candidate for our full restoration process or if its just in need of a light service.
We first do a  basic functionality test to ensure proper playback fast forward and rewind.  We look for smooth operation of the motors, transport engagement and associated rolling parts.
We then do an internal physical inspection to ensure the belts and rubber consumable parts are up to spec.
Internal components are checked to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage particularly in the power supply section.
Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.
A light service will involve replacement of belts and rollers, external cleaning of heads, mechanism and boards and basic record and playback tests.
A full restoration will often include disassembly of the drive system and replacement of all consumable and wearable parts including pinch rollers, belts, brakes, bearings.
We then clean lubricate and re-assembly the drive and perform basic mechanical alignment to ensure proper tape path and head alignment.
Final calibration will involved adjustment of playback erase and record heads and optimization of the bias for a specific tape type.
We do this with the aid of a
Soundtech 1510A tape deck analyzer and a Nakamichi T100 unit and reference calibration tapes.
Final listening tests are done while monitoring with our reference Grado HP1 headphones and a variety of factory and custom reference recordings.
We find that there is no better system for critical listening on tapes than the headphones specially when comparing a live feed to a recorded feed.
Item
Included
Original Box
Not Included
Manual
Not Included
Remote
YES Included
Cables
Yes - Power
Physical Condition
7 / 10
Working Condition
10 / 10
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PURCHASING GUIDELINES:
1)
This item will be professionally packaged and insured for safe transit to your home unless you opt for local pickup from our shop. All local pickup items are only wrapped in industrial strength clear stretch wrap if the original manufacturer packaging is unavailable.
Local pickup is available in Glen Rock, NJ, just a half hour drive from Midtown Manhattan, with convenient parking near our building.
If we don’t have the original manufacture’s packaging, we use heavy duty double-ply corrugated boxes with custom made to your item SealedAir Instapak expanding foam custom inserts. In many cases this has proven to be better than the original packaging!
We also use high quality fiber reinforced tape to seal our packages. Lightweight items will be bubble wrapped and shipped in a high-quality box.
2)
We do not review or accept any offers that do not go through the official eBay system. We have too many items for sale and it is nearly impossible to keep track of offers outside of the official system. Please do not message, email, or text any offers.
3)
All listings are eligible for the eBay Global Shipping Program, unless the item exceeds the maximum weight/price requirements to your country. If this is the case simply message us via eBay as we accept bank wire transfers for international payments and frequently ship worldwide via UPS.
4)
Please ensure your shipping address is correct within eBay as we will ONLY ship to the eBay/PayPal Confirmed Shipping Address.
No exceptions.
5
) eBay may charge and collect sales tax to your state/jurisdiction. Please understand we have no control over this.
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