About the Company
Ehrcorder — German Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck Manufacturer
Brand: Ehrcorder
Country: Germany
Active in Reel-to-Reel Production: Late 1950s – mid-1970s
Market Focus: Consumer hi-fi and light professional audio
Reputation: Reliable, mechanically solid, mid-range German engineering
Company Background
Ehrcorder was a German brand active in the post-war hi-fi boom, producing open-reel tape recorders primarily for the domestic and European markets.
The company focused on home consumers, offering reliable mechanical construction at competitive prices, rather than competing directly with high-end professional decks like Studer or Revox.
Production often emphasized durable transports, solid steel chassis, and simple electronics, which were typical of mid-century German engineering.
Entry into Reel-to-Reel Production
Ehrcorder entered the reel-to-reel market in the late 1950s, when tape recording became increasingly popular among German audiophiles.
Early decks were tube-based, mono-only, and designed for speech, music playback, and home recording.
Typical early features:
3¾ ips (9.5 cm/s) tape speed
5″ or 7″ reel support
Full-track mono recording
Integrated amplifier and speaker on some models
1960s: Solid-State Transition and Stereo Models
By the mid-1960s, Ehrcorder adopted solid-state electronics, improving reliability, reducing heat, and lowering maintenance requirements.
Some models offered stereo playback and recording, which became increasingly standard in the German hi-fi market.
Characteristics of this period:
Two- or three-head transport designs
Half-track stereo recording
Adjustable tape speeds (3¾ and 7½ ips)
Simple front-panel controls for domestic use
Ehrcorder decks were often mechanically robust, sometimes heavier than competitors, emphasizing long-term reliability over styling or advanced electronics.
1970s: Peak Production and Flagship Units
During the early 1970s, Ehrcorder produced its most refined decks, which featured:
Three-head transport configurations for simultaneous erase, record, and playback
Dual capstan or three-motor mechanisms on higher-end models
Improved wow and flutter specifications
Stylish, mid-century German cabinetry for home integrationExamples of known models include:
Ehrcorder 400 series – Entry-level consumer decks
Ehrcorder 600 / 700 series – Semi-professional machines with stereo and higher-speed capability
Market Position
Ehrcorder competed in the mid-range consumer market, against brands such as:
Dual
Grundig
Nordmende
Telefunken (lower-end consumer models)Unlike Revox or Studer, Ehrcorder did not supply professional studios but was popular in private households and small audio clubs.
Decline and End of Production
By the mid-to-late 1970s, the rise of:
Compact cassette decks
Japanese hi-fi imports (Akai, Teac, Sony)
led to a rapid decline in demand for German mid-range reel-to-reel decks.
Ehrcorder gradually ceased production of reel-to-reel machines by circa 1976–1977.
Legacy
Ehrcorder reel-to-reel decks are now rare but respected among collectors for:
Mechanical robustness
Reliability and long service life
Neutral, uncolored playback suitable for music and speechThey represent the middle tier of West German consumer reel-to-reel manufacturing, bridging the gap between budget and professional decks.
Summary
Ehrcorder was a German manufacturer of reel-to-reel tape decks from the late 1950s through the mid-1970s, producing durable, mechanically reliable machines aimed at home and light professional use. Known for solid construction, conservative engineering, and mid-range pricing, Ehrcorder decks were a significant part of the West German consumer hi-fi landscape before the decline of open-reel tape in the late 1970s.