Braun TG-60

The Braun TG-60 is a mid‑1960s, 3‑motor, 3‑head, solid‑state, half‑track stereo consumer machine that was engineered to approach small‑studio performance in a compact Dieter Rams chassis.

Basic machine concept

• Introduced around 1965–1966, manufactured in Germany until the late 1960s.

• Solid‑state electronics; no tubes, which allowed the low, flat “audio 2” form factor and wall‑mount option.

• Designed by Dieter Rams, with engineering by Wolfgang Hasselbach as part of Braun’s modular hi‑fi line (TS 45, L 450 etc.).

• Market positioning: home hi‑fi deck but specified to meet “professional quality” expectations of smaller studio equipment.

Transport and mechanics

• Tape speeds: 9.5 and 19 cm/s (3 3/4 and 7 1/2 ips).

• Reel size: up to 18 cm / 7 inch.

• Transport: 3‑motor drive (two asynchronous reel motors plus a capstan motor) for reduced wow and flutter and fast wind.

• Fast wind: quoted example of 540 m of long‑play tape in about 72 seconds, so very brisk for a domestic deck of the time.

• Controlled tape tension and mechanical tape‑end switches to protect tape and mechanism.

• Push‑button logic transport; the mechanical keys actuate micro‑switches and relays rather than purely mechanical linkages.​

• Removable Plexiglas dust cover; total size around 420 × 280 × 157 mm (W × H × D) with cover, weight roughly 19 kg.

Heads, format and electronics

• Track format: 2‑track (half‑track) stereo record/playback on 1/4‑inch tape.

• Head system: 3 separate heads (erase, record, playback) with permalloy, in a stereo configuration, allowing off‑tape monitoring.

• Head style: professional‑type ring heads; documentation also mentions the original idea for interchangeable headblocks (e.g. 4‑track option), though that was not marketed widely.

• Equalization: IEC / NAB style; for 19 cm/s the recording EQ is quoted as NARTB with 3180 µs and 70 µs time constants, and for 9.5 cm/s 3180 µs and 120 µs.

• Electronics are fully transistorized, with a dedicated record amplifier chain: input switch, high‑headroom input stage, level control, then a three‑stage EQ amplifier section feeding the record head.

• Nominal calibration for Braun/BASF TB 631 tape; at 19 cm/s an 18 cm reel yields about 45 minutes of stereo playback.​

Audio performance

• Frequency response at 19 cm/s: approximately 20 Hz to 16 kHz (DIN conditions).

• Erase attenuation specified better than 70 dB according to DIN 45500.​

• Contemporary sources rate sound quality roughly “mid hi‑fi” (around 6/10 in enthusiast databases) and long‑term reliability about 7/10, reflecting both the strong mechanics and age‑related service needs.​

Connectivity, power and system integration

• Line outputs via RCA and DIN connectors, intended to integrate with Braun amplifiers and receivers of the audio 1/2 and TS 45 families.

• Nominal mains voltage: 220–240 V AC (continental European market focus).​

• Physically and visually designed as part of a wall‑mount system with TS 45 tuner/control unit and L 450 loudspeakers, using additional hanging plates for clean integration.