Philips n 4520 review

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1978 Philips N4520 Philips recommend Maxell UD tape, and overall responses at the two highe\ r speeds were very well maintained, the lower speed also having a good response with particularly outstandin\ g LF. Maximum operating levels at middle frequencies were all consistent with the tape type used. Overall \ noise levels were again very well optimised throughout, being very good for quarter-track stereo. A/B leve\ ls can be very well optimised with presets. All normal erasure figures were better than -70dB; however, the\ quarter-track erase head allowed some bulk erase noise through, which is to be expected as there was very\ slight crosstalk at VLF between tracks 2 and 3 due to a slight head height error. The quarter-track ster\ eo performance was much better than usual, no drop-outs being ever noted. The two equalisations at 38cm/s we\ re very useful, and the DIN curve is to be recommended for normal use, but the NAB one is unfortunately requi\ red for playing back many professional tapes. The only mild irritation was that after a complete s\ pool rewind, the reels flapped around for many seconds before stopping. Philips' superb electronic design throughout allowed optimum performance\ virtually everywhere, and the exceptionally low wow and flutter figures allowed piano music at the slo\ w speed to be completely free of audible wow. The recorded quality must be said to be entirely dependent \ on the tape type, for no reservations in the electronics can be found. The cueing facility combined with the v\ ariable speed during spooling was found fascinating (normally found only on semi-professional machines), and t\ he ergonomics were really splendid. This machine must achieve the strongest recommendation, and the half-tra\ ck version will clearly be well worth waiting for, although for tape economy the quarter-track model seemed so\ good that it can be safely purchased. Clearly it provides stem competition for everyone else. file:///P|/9105%20werkdirectorie/Manufacturers,%20Manuals/Tapedeck/tests\ /9160CMPHI-REV-n4520.htm (2 of 2)1-11-2003 11:03:38