Reel-to-reel tape decks (was: Re: ZX81 denigrated!)

Right.... It's not suprising things like the case colour and trim changed.... I think the electronics is much the same... I think that makes it a first-series unit. Which means you'll not have the 16V supply on the Stereo socket. THe book mentions 'This can be easily modified by any Philips dealer'. Poole and Molloy gives all the circuits (but spread over 3 books...), it appears to be just a matter of adding 2 resistors. Do you have access to Poole and Molloy (say in a good public library [1])? You'd get a schematic from there, but the official service mnaual would be worth getting since it'll cover the mechanical side too. I am glad I got the manual for my stereo machine, some of the things, like setting up the swtich linkages, are not at all obvious... I got said manual from Mauritron back when they sold manuals on paper. Now that they only sell them on CD-ROM, I don't bother with them -- I am not going to pay out good money for a manual and then have to spend a few days printing the darn thing out! [1] At one time main libraries kept said books -- the complete set from 1952 onwards. But based on the number of volumes I've bought in libary sales, I guess they no longer do... Quitel likely. A normal 3 pin DIN plug will fit, and only the normal 3 pins are electricallly used. Quite likely. I think origianlly there was a foam pad over each spool turntable. The idea was you could leave spools on the machine and put the lid on when you'd finished using it and the foam would keep them in place. If it is polystyrent then dichloromethane will stick it. -tony