About the Company
Carad — Belgian Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck Manufacturer
Brand: Carad (short for Carpentier Radio)
Founded: 1925 (as Ets. G.L. Carpentier)
Country: Belgium (Kuurne, near Kortrijk)
Reel-to-Reel Production: Early 1950s – mid-1970s
Market: Consumer and (some models) semi-professional audio equipment
Technology: Valve (tube) initially → transistor solid-state later
Carad was a family-owned Belgian electronics maker best known for radios, amplifiers, tuners, television receivers, and a small but well-regarded line of reel-to-reel tape recorders. Its tape decks are recognized today among vintage audio collectors for their build quality and technical progression over two decades.
Company Background
Carad was established in 1925 by Gabriel Louis Carpentier and later run by his son Jacques. Initially Carad manufactured electronic components and radios before expanding into hi-fi audio gear after World War II. The company reached a peak of around 400 employees by the late 1960s but struggled with competition from lower-cost manufacturers. In 1971 Carad was acquired by the British Thorn Group, and original manufacturing ceased by 1975.
Reel-to-Reel Production Timeline
1950 – First Tape Recorder (EMR32PA)
Carad EMR32PA (circa 1950–1953)
Based on the Brush Soundmirror BK-416 chassis imported from the U.S.
Carad manufactured the case, power supply, and electronics around this transport.
Tube-based, single-track mono recorder — typical early consumer tape device.
This marked Carad’s entry into open-reel recording — initially by integrating proven foreign mechanisms with its own design work.
Mid-1950s – In-House Designs (R62 and Variants)
Carad R62 (circa 1954–1960)
Fully in-house design, no longer relying on imported tape chassis.
Three motors, capstan spindles, three heads, support for larger 10ʺ reels, and adjustable azimuth on the playback head.
Valve (tube) electronics designed for higher audio fidelity.
The R62 elevated Carad’s reputation with a domestic mechanism and features that were advanced for European consumer decks of the era.
1960s – Evolution and Refinement
Carad continued evolving its tape recorder range:
Carad R53 (introduced 1963)
Tube-based successor refining the R62 design with updated mechanics and circuit improvements.Carad R66 (circa 1967–1969)
A transistorized model marking the company’s shift away from tube tech.
Four-track/single- or dual-speed variants exist.Carad R59 (circa 1968–1971)
Early stereo model with solid-state electronics.
Three motors, IEC equalization, larger 10½″ reel capacity, and multiple speed options.
These models reflect the broader worldwide transition from valves to transistors and from mono to stereo formats in the late 1960s.
1971–1975 – Final High-Fidelity Model
Carad R73 (1971–1974)
Solid-state stereo deck with three heads, three motors, and tape speeds typically 3¾, 7½, and 15 ips.
Designed for more serious consumer and semi-pro use with half-track stereo, larger reels, and better frequency response.
The R73 represents the last major reel-to-reel design before manufacturing ended.
Technical Progression and Features
Valve → Transistor:
Early decks (1950s/early 1960s, e.g., EMR32PA, R62, R53) used tube electronics.
Mid-1960s onward (R66, R59, R73) adopted solid-state/transistor designs for lower power, reduced heat, and improved reliability.
Heads & Mechanisms:
Three-head configurations became standard for better dubbing and monitoring.
Carad’s own transports (starting with R62) allowed larger reel capacities and more precise tape handling than early imported chassis could offer.
Stereo:
The R59 and later R73 supported true stereo, aligning Carad with international market trends as stereo hi-fi expanded in the late 1960s.
Market Position and Legacy
Carad’s tape recorders were premium Belgian designs — not mass-market budget units — and reflected careful engineering and quality craftsmanship typical of post-war Western European audio gear. While never achieving the global market penetration of Japanese brands like Akai or Sony, Carad tape decks remain collectible today for their historical role in European audio history and the quality of their mechanical and electronic design.
The company ultimately struggled against low-cost imports, was acquired by Thorn in 1971, and ceased manufacturing its original audio products by 1975.
Representative Carad Reel-to-Reel Models
EMR32PA 1950–1953 First tape deck; Brush chassis with Carad electronics. R62 1954–1960 In-house high-end tube design.
R53 1963–mid 1960s Refinement of R62.
R66 1967–1969 First transistor deck.
R59 1968–1971 Solid-state stereo.
R73 1971–1974 Last major model before production ended.
Summary
Carad was a Belgian reel-to-reel tape deck manufacturer whose active tape production spanned roughly 1950 to 1975. It evolved from imported chassis designs to fully in-house, high-quality tape recorders, transitioned from tubes to transistors, and embraced stereo formats before closing amid competition and industry consolidation.