Alpine AL-90
Dolby B NR Dolby C logo Wired Remote Control Full Logic Metal Tape Direct Drive 3 Head

This Alpine AL-90 is a stereo cassette deck with double Dolby B and C noise reduction with connectors for optional external DBX, DNL, Adres, Super-d or High-ComII noise reduction systems, it was first sold by Alpine in 1982 and discontinued 2 years later in 1984.

The main features of the Alpine AL-90 are: 3 heads and off-tape monitoring, digital linear tape counter with 4 digits, manual tape type selection and capable of handling normal, chrome, ferro-chrome and metal tapes, dual capstan transport.

Typical front loading cassette deck with the cassette compartiment located on the left side of the deck. Tape eject is operated mechanically and the cassette needs to be placed with the side to be played facing forward in the cassette well.

Level meters used on the AL-90 are analog needle VU reading meters. Full-logic transport controls used on the AL-90 let it respond to the slightest finger contact for fast and effortless transport function selection. Playback speed may be adjusted with pitch control. Cue and review can be used to easily and quickly locate the beginning of a passage.

To ensure the best response from the wide variety of tapes available adjustment of, bias, equalization and sensitivity, to optimum levels can be performed prior to recording.

Dolby C-type used in the AL-90 provides 20 dB of noise reduction above about 1,000 Hz, fully doubling the amount given by B-type. The three-head configuration of the AL-90 requires a Double Dolby system, one for recording and one for playback. The 19kHz multiplex pilot slgnal present in FM stereo broadcasts can cause false triggering of the noise reduction system. The switchable MPX filter of the AL-90 filters out the pilot signal, and assuring proper Dolby processing of FM stereo programs.

To make live recordings this deck has 2 microphone inputs to connect microphones with a jack connector. For undisturbed listening a jack connector for a pair of stereo headphones is supplied. Connection to other audio components for plaback can be achieved by a RCA cable and recording from a source by a RCA cable. All main transport commands can be issued remotely with a wired remote control.

Compact Cassette
  • B.L.E.S. Computer
  • Sendust Chipped Erase Head
  • Closed Loop Dual Capstan
  • Direct Drive Capstan Motor
  • SF Combination Head
  • 3 Head

Historic events

1982 Commodore announces the Commodore 64 computer.
1983 Apple introduces the Lisa computer, the first commercial personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI).
1984 Silicon Graphics begins shipping its first 3-D graphics workstations.

Features of Alpine AL-90

Calibration
Calibration
Auto Bias Calibration Tape Calibration Memory Store Bias Fine Tune Auto Level Calibration Auto Equalizer Calibration
Connectors
Connectivity
2 Mono Microphone Inputs Wired Remote Control RCA Input/Output Connectors Headphones External Noise Reduction RCA Input/Output
Display
Display
Linear Tape Counter Analog Needle Meters Meters Peak / VU Switchable 4-Digıt Digital Counter
Electronics
Electronics
Record Protection
Cassette Exterior
Exterior
Orientation Left Black Finish Front Loading
Compact Cassette
General
Stereo
Head
Head Configuration
3 Head Desiǥn 4 Track / 2 Channel
Indicators
Indicators
Dolby C Dolby B Fast Forward Rewind Source/Tape Play Pause Metal Tape Chrome Tape Ferro-Chrome Tape Normal Tape
HighCom NR
Noise Reduction
Dolby-B Noise Reduction Double Dolby NR Circuits External Noise Reduction Dolby-C Noise Reduction MPX Filter
Controls
Operation
Full Logic Transport Control Cue / Review Pitch Control Real-Time Tape Monitoring Auto-Play Timer Recording/Playback Record Mute Auto-Space
Power
Power Requirements
Battery Powered Memory Store Alternating Current
Preamplifier
Preamplifier
Individual Input Level Controls Output-Level Control Master Record Level Control
Tape Speed
Speed
1⅞ ips - 4.76 cm/s
Tape
Tape
Manual Tape Type Selection Normal Tape Capabılity Chrome Tape Capabılity Metal Tape Capabılity Ferro-Chrome Tape Capabılity
Transport
Transport
Mechanical Tape Loading Auto Shutoff Direct Drive (Capsŧan) Dual-Capstan Transport

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Last update on Mar 29, 2024 12:11:58 PM CET

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