Modifications

In the RS-15XX series of R2R decks, as well as in the RS-9900 and the RS-M95 cassette decks (and possibly in some other equipment) from Technics the line amplification stage is built around a simple n-p-n/p-n-p 2 transistors stage. In its original form this line stage is the main source of distortion in the signal electronics of these decks. A very simple modification, applicable to all aforementioned units, improves the linearity of that stage, reducing both harmonic and intermodulation…

Both the CR-3 and the CR-4 from my experience do sound considerably inferior to other 3-head Nakamichi decks. Usually the Sony Dolby chips got the blame, however the same chips are working fine in many other decks. Just recently I've restored to full health the CR-3 from my collection and the sound of that deck was, well, again underwhelming, similar to what I've experienced before with the CR-4. This time, however, I've recognised that I've heard that kind of sound deficiency in other…