About the Company
Amroh was a Netherlands-based maker of consumer reel-to-reel tape recorders, centered in Muiden and linked historically with publications such as Radio Bulletin, a magazine of the era. Amroh recorders are of interest today mainly to vintage audio enthusiasts and collectors; they were modest, early analog machines rather than high-end audiophile decks.
Early and Mid-1950s — First Units
One of the earliest documented Amroh machines is the Handy Sound HS line, appearing around 1953–1957. These tape recorders were tube-based and portable in concept, typical of early consumer magnetic tape units.
There are also references to models like the Handy Sound 358.S, dating from roughly 1955, which appear in vintage auction records and collections.
Late 1950s — Fonolint Tape Recorder Deck I
Around 1958–1959, Amroh offered the Fonolint Tape Recorder Deck I, a reel-to-reel deck with two speeds (9.5 and 19 cm/s), two-track record/play capability, and an extended frequency range (15–15 000 Hz). The unit lacked built-in amplification, so external amplifiers were used for playback/recording.
Early 1960s — Fonolint Tape Recorder Deck II
By 1961, the successor Fonolint Tape Recorder Deck II was in production. It maintained two-track record/play and shared basic mechanical features with its predecessor but reflected incremental improvements. †External amplification remained necessary.
Late 1960s — Kit or Custom Build Models
In 1968–1969, Amroh also appears to have offered a tape recorder kit or instructions for a DIY build, indicating continued interest in the tape format among hobbyists. These models featured tube electronics and were intended for assembly with wooden housings and external amplification.
Technical and Market Position
Electronics: Most Amroh decks used tube circuitry, common in the era before widespread transistorization.
Format: Two-track reel-to-reel, designed for consumer/home use rather than professional broadcasting or studio mastering.
Accessories: Some models required external amplifiers and eraser units provided by Amroh (e.g., Caroussel, Bolero, Capriccio) to function as a complete system.
Speed: Common speeds like 9.5 cm/s appeared alongside higher speeds to balance fidelity and tape consumption.
Brand Legacy and Rarity
Amroh’s reel-to-reel recorders are rare today, mostly preserved in vintage audio collections rather than mainstream hi-fi listings. They don’t have the same historical prominence as brands like Ampex, Studer, or Akai, but they represent early adoption of reel-to-reel technology in the Netherlands, bridging the gap between pioneering broadcast units and the later consumer boom of the 1960s.
Collectors sometimes find Amroh models in Europe at vintage radio and collector markets; these units offer a window into how small manufacturers adapted magnetic tape technology for home enthusiasts in the post-war era — often with tube electronics and modular amplifier/recorder setups.