About the Company
Heathkit was the electronics kit brand of the Heath Company, a U.S. firm that started in aviation in 1911 and moved into electronics after World War II. Heathkit became iconic for do‑it‑yourself electronic kits ranging from test gear and amateur radio to hi‑fi audio equipment. These kits were sold from 1947 until the early 1990s, with customers assembling the equipment themselves.
Reel‑to‑Reel Tape Recorder Production
Heathkit’s involvement in reel‑to‑reel tape recorders spanned approximately the late 1950s through the mid‑1960s, and machines were available primarily as kit assemblies that hobbyists built themselves.
Late 1950s – Earliest Tape Kits
TR‑1E (c. 1959–1961):
One of the earliest Heathkit tape recorder kits.
Electronics: Tube‑based
Format: Half‑track mono (1/2 Rec/PB)
Speed: 7½ ips
Reel: Up to ~7″
Category: Consumer DIY reel‑to‑reel kit
This represents Heathkit testing the waters in consumer tape decks before the format matured in the 1960s. Kits like this were marketed to hobbyists interested in building and experimenting with audio recording gear themselves.
Early 1960s – Full‑Featured Consumer Kits
AD‑22 (c. 1962 onward):
A more substantial tube tape recorder kit aimed at the home audio market.
Tracks: 4‑track quarter‑track stereo
Speeds: 3¾ and 7½ ips
Reel: Up to 7″
Heads: 3 (erase/record/playback)
Electronics: Tube‑based with permalloy heads
Features: Dual motors, stereo operation, typical mid‑60s consumer specsThe AD‑22 was sold as a kit — entirely intended for hobbyists to build and integrate into home systems (often paired with a separate amplifier/speakers). Pricing and build complexity reflected the “learn as you go” Heathkit philosophy.
Mid‑1960s – Solid‑State Offerings
AD‑16 (c. 1965–1967):
A solid‑state Heathkit tape recorder kit that many enthusiasts compare to branded OEM decks (e.g., Magnecord) of the era.
Tracks: 4‑track stereo
Speeds: 3¾ and 7½ ips
Reel: Up to 10.5″
Contrasted with: Much better wow & flutter and S/N than earlier models
Quality: Rated above many consumer Japanese decks of the timeThe AD‑16 is one of the best‑regarded Heathkit tape recorder kits — often built for personal hi‑fi use and praised for its sound quality when properly assembled.
Heathkit’s Kit‑Based Philosophy
Unlike traditional manufacturers that assembled complete tape decks for sale, Heathkit’s products were sold as electronic kits: users received all parts and built the machine themselves. This was central to the brand’s identity and helped educate generations of hobbyists and engineers.
Reel‑to‑reel kit offerings fit this model — transport mechanisms were often supplied (sometimes by third parties or OEMs) with Heathkit‑specific electronics and instructions. Many enthusiasts dub these Heathkit deck kits rather than standalone manufactured tape decks.
End of Tape Kit Production
Heath’s reel‑to‑reel kit line did not extend beyond the late 1960s. As consumer electronics shifted toward pre‑assembled Japanese imports and eventually cassette formats, the appeal of building a big tape recorder at home waned.
The broader Heathkit business itself continued through the 1970s into the early 1990s, but reel‑to‑reel kits became a historical footnote to the company’s kit legacy.
Production History Summary
Heathkit reel‑to‑reel tape recorder history
Late 1950s: Early tube‑based tape recorder kits like the TR‑1E (mono) for hobbyists.
Early 1960s: Full‑featured consumer kits such as the AD‑22 — stereo, multiple speeds.
Mid‑1960s: Transition to solid‑state kits like the AD‑16, offering improved performance and balancing DIY fun with audio quality.
Late 1960s onward: Reel‑to‑reel kits phased out as Heathkit and the market moved to other formats and pre‑built products.
Legacy
While Heathkit was never a mainstream tape deck manufacturer in the traditional sense (i.e., mass‑produced consumer or professional decks from a single factory), its reel‑to‑reel kits are historically important:
They reflect the do‑it‑yourself era of 1950s–60s electronics.
They introduced many audio hobbyists to reel‑to‑reel technology through hands‑on building and experimentation.
Units like the AD‑16 compare favorably with some factory‑built units of the same era when properly assembled.