Technics RS-M253X Stereo Cassette Deck

This Technics RS-M253X is a stereo cassette deck with Dolby B and C and DBX noise reduction, it was first sold by Technics in 1983 with a manufacturer suggested retail price of USD $450 and discontinued a year later.

The main features of the Technics RS-M253X are: 3 heads and no off-tape monitoring to save production cost, digital linear tape counter with 4 digits, automatic tape type selection and capable of handling normal, chrome and metal tapes with automatic equalization selection, belt driven single-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 RS-M253X are generic digital peak reading meters with multi-color indication to provide visual saturation level of tape and peak hold for easy adjustment of optimum recording level. Full-logic transport controls used on the RS-M253X let it respond to the slightest finger contact for fast and effortless transport function selection. Cue and review can be used to easily and quickly locate the beginning of a passage.

Dolby C-type used in the RS-M253X provides 20 dB of noise reduction above about 1,000 Hz, fully doubling the amount given by B-type. Dbx Type II found in the RS-M253X is a simplified version of the Type I noise reduction system. The dbx Type II system was designed to be used with systems with limited bandwidth such as cassette based recorders and also uses a simple 2:1:2 compander to reduce noise.

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.

• AX Head (Amorphous Head)
• Microprocessor Logic Control System