Technics RS-686D Stereo Cassette Deck

This Technics RS-686D is a stereo cassette deck with Dolby B noise reduction, it was first sold by Technics in 1977 with a manufacturer suggested retail price of USD $650 and discontinued 3 years later in 1980.

The main features of the Technics RS-686D are: 3 discrete heads and off-tape monitoring, mechanical 3 digit tape counter, manual tape type selection and capable of handling normal and chrome tapes, belt driven single-capstan transport.

Typical of this deck is the 70's top loading layout 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 RS-686D are analog needle VU reading meters with peak indicator for easy adjustment of optimum recording level. Mechanical transport controls for reliable RS-686D transport function selection.

The Dolby-B system reduces tape hiss on tapes recorded on the RS-686D by as much as 10 dB at the highest frequencies. A Subsonic filter is provided in the RS-686D to prevent infrasonic signals generated when playing a warped record. These signals can upset the Dolby system and prevening it from functioning properly.

To make live recordings this deck has 2 microphone inputs to connect microphones with a jack connector. For undisturbed listening a mini-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.

• HPF Head
• Antirolling
• SP Head (Super-Permalloy)
• End Eye