Vintage Mechanical Playback systems

An attempt was made in the late 70s by Sony to do just that in the form of the Elcaset:

But it was unsuccessful :cry:.

3 Likes

Add DAT to that attempt as well…

2 Likes

I had an Akai 4000d then moved up to a Revox A77, (early 1970’s) while the reproduction from the Revox even at the lower speed (3.75 ips) was excellent , tapes are a faff to say the least and the space they take up , well , especially if you go for 7.5 ips. I used mainly the 10.5 in NAB reels.

Eventually I started on cassettes a Yamaha TC800 (the sloping one) followed by 3 x Nakamichi ultimately the CR7e.

TBH the CR7e knocked the socks of the Revox even on noise levels

Even cassettes consume wall space, I am much better off digitally, these days I have zero physical media. (And a happier wife :joy:)

It’s OK for novelty but not the REEL thing :smiling_imp:

2 Likes

I believe Thorens started out as a music box manufacturer, which is what I assume this thing is. Except every one I have seen plays cylinders, not disks, and they’re not easily interchangeable. What an interesting novelty!

Then there were player piano rolls.

2 Likes

I believe Matt the Techmoan, on his You Tube channel, reviewed a modern cylinder player kit. Search it up if interested.

1 Like

The Owl lives?! …
l love to sing-a
About the moon-a and the June-a and the spring-a…

1 Like

Here is a vintage playback system that may return, one day :nerd_face::

1 Like

The Phonautograph is for those who find the Edison Cylinder too bleeding edge :grinning:

It’s worth noting that those recordings were never meant to be played back, as it’s only possible to do that through optical means.

2 Likes

I personally prefer coax. But that’s just me :rofl: