Radio
Boy
C409 cassette recorder -
1974 - 1976 (approx)
This was one of,
maybe THE first of Grundig's range of "slope top" cassette recorders. I
bought this in February 2007 on Ebay. It was still in perfect working order,
though it needed a little cleaning and adjusting, and is not totally mint,
though the worst mark is visible in the photo, top right of the aluminium
trim.
Over a period of
about 7 years, from 1975 to 1982, Grundig made an enormous range of machines
based on this shape. I remember the first time I saw one of these in a
local shop window, I thought it was brilliantly styled, and I knew I had
to have one, one day. But not then, as I couldn't afford it, and had only
recently bought the Grundig C235 cassette recorder anyway. Eventually though,
I got a new CR485 in 1982, and it is the opposite of this machine, being
fully loaded with all the facilities ever included in this range except
the in-built accumulator charger, which is the only difference between
the CR485, and it's fully loaded predecessor, the C480. The optional carrying
case 493, which was universal for all machines based on this shell, naturally
fits this one too.
In the early years,
up to 4 models would be available at any one time, ranging from totally
basic, mono only, no tape counter, battery meter or tone control, and only
ferric tape capability, machines like this one. Developments reflected
technical and market requirements, so early chrome-capable machines had
auto-switching, but later ones with Ferrochrome as well had a 3-position
manual switch. Eventually, the basic machines were phased out, and only
the fully-loaded ones were available.
Clever modular plug-in
design allows for easy servicing, and you can use the machine while it
is dismantled, which allows such items as head azimuth to be corrected.
Specification:
Styling:
Black & silver aluminium
finish, though the trim is not applied to the keys or side panels on this
model, as it is on higher spec versions. Large keys, slider volume control,
and the distinctive sloping area incorporating the speaker grille, space
for the meter (but not on this model!) & cassette door. Slide-out handle.
Country of manufacture: United
Kingdom (actually Northern Ireland).
Size: 82mm high x 208mm
wide x 276mm deep.
Weight (excluding batteries):
2.0 kg.
Power supply:
-
Internal; 6 x C cells, 9V.
-
External; 220-230V AC 50-60
Hz
Battery meter: No.
Dial illumination: No.
Mono selection:
Sockets:
Inputs;
-
Din socket; Microphone, line
in. Supply voltage for Condenser microphone. Remote control Stop/Start
on record only.
Outputs;
-
Din socket, line out for
amplifier or tape recorder.
-
Din speaker socket, mono
only.
Output power at 8 ohms: 1.0W
RMS (battery)
Speaker: 5 x 3 inch elliptical.
Tone control: No.
Clock/Timer: No
Tracks: 2, Mono.
Tape speed: 4.75 cm/s
Frequency response: 80-10000
Hz
Signal/Noise ratio: >54
dB
Wow & flutter: <0.25%
Auto stop: Motor stop
on record and playback only.
Recording level: Automatic.
Built-in condenser microphone.
Tape types:
Tape counter: No
Rewind time: approx. 60
seconds for C60.
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Cassette recorder