Technics
RS-1500US
Introduced 1976$1,500 MSRP
Technics' famous isolated-loop transport with quartz direct-drive capstan, offering 2-track record/playback plus a separate 4-track playback head. Robust and widely serviceable; pinch rollers, idlers and relay cleaning are the usual maintenance items.
MSRP
$1,500
Used market · Very Good
$4,554
+204% vs MSRP
as of Sep 1, 2026MSRP to used market
From $2,800 at launch to $4,554 today.
Specifications
- Heads
- 4 (erase, 2-track record, 2-track play, 4-track play)
- Motors
- 3 (direct-drive capstan)
- Reel size
- Up to 10.5" diameter
- Speeds
- 3.75/7.5/15 ips
- Tape speeds
- 3¾ / 7½ / 15 ips (9.5 / 19 / 38 cm/s)
- Drive motors
- 3 electronically-governed DC motors, direct-drive "Isolated Loop" dual-capstan tape path
- Track format
- 2-track record/play plus 4-track playback
- Max reel size
- 10.5"
- Power consumption
- 120 W
- Weight dimensions
- ~25–26 kg (55–57.2 lbs); 446 x 456 x 258 mm (W x H x D)
- Frequency response
- 30 Hz–30 kHz at 15 ips (±3 dB)
- Track configuration
- Half-track (2-track) record/playback, switchable quarter-track (4-track) playback, ¼" tape
- Signal to noise ratio
- 60 dB (NAB weighted, overall); up to 68 dB at 15 ips per catalog spec
- Total harmonic distortion
- 0.8%
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