| 1964 Ampex F44 'Fine Line' | |
 |
The F-44 Fine Line was only available for about 2 years (1964-65) and was the last of the consumer Ampexes utilising vacuum tubes. The big improvement in the F-44 was the use of a hysteresis motor in place of the induction motors used in older models. Also note dual meters instead of switchable meter on the earlier 960/1260 series. This was a four-track, valve powered portable
professional stereo recorder with two speeds (7½ & 3¾
ips) and a frequency response of 50Hz to 15kHz Available as a rack-mountable unit (F4452 - UK £240) or mounted in a case (F4460 - £250) and as a complete stand-alone tape recorder with speakers and audio amplifiers (F4470). |
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More images and an owner's manual on the CD-ROM. |
| Specifications at a glance |
Model |
F44 'Fine Line' |
Year |
1964 |
Price
when new (in the UK) |
£240 - £280 |
Track
system |
quarter-track stereo |
Heads |
three |
Motors |
single |
Maximum
reel size |
7" |
Tape
speeds |
7½ and 3¾ ips |
Frequency response (all 
3 dB) |
7½ ips: 50Hz - 15kHz |
Wow &
flutter |
0.15% at 7½ ips |
Audio
output power |
1.5 watts per channel (F4470) |
Dimensions |
F4452: 13 x 15 x 7½" (330
x 381 x 190 mm) F4460: 17½ x 15 x 9½" (444.5 x 381 x 241 mm) |
Weight |
F4452: 28 lbs (12.7 kg); F4460: 36 lbs (16.4 kg) |
2dB.