| 1969 Chilton 100S | |
 |
Frustrated with modifying 'other-brand' tape recorder mechanisms (eg Collaro) for his high-quality REPS series of recorders in the late 1950's and 60's, Tom Reps and his team decided to design and build their own tape mechanism, based on what he had learnt from the mistakes of others. The result was a mechanism which operated smoothly and positively with light button operation. A generous 10 watts per channel output was provided with two internal 6" x 4" oval speakers. Additional images, a detailed vintage test report and a user manual for this model are provided on the Get Reel Contemporary Classics CD-Rom. |
| Specifications at a glance |
Model |
100S |
Year |
1969 |
Price when new (in the
UK) |
£120 15s |
Track system |
quarter-track stereo |
Heads |
three (Bogen) |
Motors |
single hysteresis synchronous with solenoid operated controls |
Maximum reel size |
7" |
Tape speeds |
7½, 3¾ and 1
ips |
Frequency
response ( 
2dB) |
7½ ips: 30Hz - 18kHz 3¾ ips: 40Hz - 11kHz 1
ips: 50Hz - 7kHz |
Equalisation |
IEC (or NAB to order) |
Wow & flutter |
0.1% at 7½ ips, 0.15% at 3¾
ips and 0.25% at 1
ips |
Signal to noise ratio |
min. 50dB quarter-track, 53dB half-track (all speeds, unweighted) |
Tone controls |
 10dBs
at 50Hz, 10dBs
at 10kHz (Baxandall type) |
Crosstalk |
better than 55dB mono, 45dB stereo |
Distortion via tape (at
1kHz) |
max 2% at 0dB (7½ & 3¾ ips); max 3% at +3dB 7½ ips |
Bias frequency |
100kHz, push pull |
Semi-conductors |
54 transistors, 12 diodes |
Rewind speed |
150 seconds max for 1800ft LP tape |
Audio output power |
2 x 10 watts RMS per channel (8 ohms), 7 watts (16 ohms) |
Inputs |
microphone: 600 - 50k
ohms, 0.8 mV jack socket radio: 100k ohms, 80mV DIN gram: 47k ohms, 2mV corrected RIAA, DIN |
Outputs |
line: 2k ohms, 0.5 V DIN radio: 10k ohms, 0.25 V DIN speaker: 10 watts @ 8 ohms headphones: stereo jack socket, medium and low Z version |
Speaker(s) |
two 6" x 4" |
Dimensions |
portable with lid: 8 x 16 x 19" (203 x 406 x 483 mm) |
Weight |
chassis version - 32 lbs (14.5 kg), portable 38 lbs (17.3 kg) |