Braun - C3 Cassette recorder-player

Here is a properly working cassette deck from Braun offered.
The cassette deck has just received extensive maintenance.
Among other things, new drive belts.
New pressing roller, see photos.

Atelier C3'

Frame data

Motorized cassette holder ('slider' mechanism) with horizontal tape guide, illuminated.

Color: black and crystal gray

Production period: 1983 - 1987

Dimensions (W x H x D): 445 x 70 x 360 (375) mm [Dimensions according to Atelier-raster].

Weight: 8.9 kg

Selling price approx.: DM 1800,- (black), DM 1950,- (gray) (Information: Frank Hein's Knowledge Base)

Technical data:

Type: 3-head cassette player with a separate recording and playback system.

Band type selection: Bands I - IV (Fe, Cr, FeCr, metal).

Electroacoustic properties: Band speed 4.75 cm/s

Band I: 20...18,000 Hz

Band II: 20...19,000 Hz Band III: 20...19,000 Hz Band IV: 20...19,000 Hz

Electroacoustic characteristics: tape speed 9.5 cm/s

Band I: 20...22,000 Hz
Band II: 20...22,000 Hz
Band III: 20...22,000 Hz
Band IV: 20–22,000 Hz
Automatic calibration: no Noise reduction: Dolby B + C

Automatic reserve: no

Autospace + music search function for automatically searching for the next song.

Power consumption: maximum 45 W

Equipment and special features.

Microprocessor-controlled drive with 2 motors and quartz-controlled direct drive (single capstan) with constant band brake.

Bed controls at the rear: available

Two tape speeds: selectable 4.75 cm/s + 9.5 cm/s.

Less frequently used functions are integrated into the cassette holder with a dedicated function keypad.

Possibility of remote control: Master remote connection for remote control via R4/CC4 through RC1.

Microphone recording with a microphone (jack connection) and mixing options with a microphone. (Announcements and comments can be spoken during an ongoing recording). The mix ratio can be adjusted via the two built-in level controls (line + microphone).

Timer function (play, record, off)

Comments

With the C3, A/D/S also entered the market - Braun introduced a cassette deck in the early 1980s that offered two tape speeds. Only a limited number of top models featured this function, which at the time provided a significant improvement in high-tone reproduction, external voltage spread, and frequency response. Back then, the C3 was compared to top models like the Nakamichi Dragon, whose excellent acoustic qualities at least came close.

Although the technology of double tape speed was no longer developed in the later days of cassette decks due to the continuously improving technology and ultimately excellent tape material, there were tangible advantages that went beyond slight sonic improvements. At double tape speed (9.5 cm/s), the magnetized surface is also twice as large as at the conventional speed (4.75 cm/s). This results in a significantly longer recording duration and better stability of high frequencies. The problem of self-magnetization of the wound tape material becomes much less noticeable. An advantage that should not be underestimated for high-quality archiving.

Of course, the halving of the playback time at 9.5 cm/s was problematic. A C60 could only record 2 x 15 minutes, while the C120 was discouraged due to poor quality and the thinness of the tape.

Braun Atelier C 3 3-head variant, optional double tape speed (allows a frequency range of up to 22,000 Hz and recordings with a longer lifespan)