Crown CW

The Crown CW is a rare vintage open-reel tape recorder from Crown International (Elkhart, Indiana, USA), produced circa 1963–1966. It is essentially a designation or alternate labeling for the early tube-based (valve) 700 series lineup (often grouped under "700 series" or "CW" in collector archives like reel-reel.com and the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording). This transitional series bridged Crown's 1950s consumer-focused machines and the later solid-state professional 700/800 series (from mid-1966 onward). The "CW" appears to refer to this specific family of early tube models (e.g., 701 full-track mono, 702 half-track mono, 712 half-track stereo, 714C four-track stereo), with the 700 series transport and tube electronics.

These were high-end, semi-professional tube-era decks praised for rugged build, gentle tape handling, and warm musical sound with a signature slight high-end contour ("tape bloom") for rich dynamics rather than ultra-flat response. They were designed for hi-fi enthusiasts, small studios, broadcast mono/stereo, or missionary/field use (Crown's early reputation stemmed from durable machines for remote environments). 

Surviving examples are scarce, known mostly through museum profiles and occasional collector sales, often as restoration projects.

Key Technical Specifications 

• Tape Speeds: 3.75 ips, 7.5 ips, and 15 ips (three professional speeds for high-fidelity mastering at 15 ips, balanced hi-fi at 7.5 ips, or extended play at 3.75 ips).

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 30 kHz (±2 dB at 15 ips; includes Crown's characteristic slight high-end bump/contour for enhanced warmth and "bloom" rather than strictly flat response—often regarded as contributing to some of the best-sounding Crown tube machines).

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Approximately 51–56 dB (e.g., ~56 dB at 15 ips, ~54 dB at 7.5 ips, ~51 dB at 3.75 ips on premium tape; solid for tube-era designs, stronger in half-track or full-track configs).

• Track Configuration: Varied by specific variant—full-track mono (e.g., 701), half-track mono (702), half-track stereo (712), or four-track stereo (714C); half-track common for superior SNR/dynamics in stereo/mono.

• Heads: 3-head design (erase, record, playback); permalloy construction with precision micro-gap and hyperbolic contour for stable alignment and clean transfer.

• Reel Sizes: Up to 10.5" NAB professional reels (standard for extended recordings; adapters supported).

• Motors: 3-motor transport (hysteresis synchronous capstan drive with flywheel; separate plug-in reel motors; differential-magnetic braking for smooth, padless, gentle stops/starts to minimize tape wear).

• Timing Accuracy / Wow & Flutter: Speed accuracy ~99.8%; wow & flutter low (~0.1–0.2% range, excellent stability comparable to Ampex or Berlant Concertone contemporaries).

• Other Features:All-tube electronics (high headroom, warm harmonic character typical of pre-solid-state Crown designs).
  NAB equalization (separate per-speed settings; CCIR optional in variants).
  Separate bass/treble boost controls on both record and playback.
  Inputs: Microphone and phono/line; outputs: Cathode follower.
  Controls: Forward/stop/play/record, thread/idle, rewind, bias lock, equalization (per speed), reel-size switch.
  DC valve filaments for reduced hum.
  Automatic stop, fast rewind (~38–60 sec for typical reels).
  THD: Less than 1.5%.
  

• Weight: Around 40–50 lbs (overbuilt, rugged chassis for low resonance and durability).

• Original Price: Likely $400–$800+ range (premium for early-to-mid 1960s high-end tube recorder; varied by track config, e.g., higher for stereo models).

Design and Build Overview

The Crown CW / 700 series featured a robust 3-motor direct-drive transport for precise tension control, minimal wow/flutter, and reliable operation—core traits refined in later solid-state models. Tube amplification delivered dynamic, high-headroom performance with signature warmth (slight frequency contouring for a "blooming" or "tape-like" sound). Braking was differential-magnetic for consistent, gentle action without mechanical pads.

It inherited some traits from earlier "B Deck" designs (e.g., potential head alignment challenges in related assemblies, piano-key controls prone to long-term wear), but represented an evolution toward professional capability. Configurations like half-track stereo maximized audio quality for the era's stereo enthusiasts, suiting applications like home mastering or broadcast before quarter-track became dominant in consumer decks.

Today, the CW / 700 series is an ultra-rare collectible, documented primarily through museum archives. 

Restoration typically involves electrolytic recapping, tube sourcing/replacement, motor bearing service, head relapping/alignment, and control cleaning (piano keys often degrade). It holds significant historical value as one of Crown's finest tube-era machines before the shift to solid-state dominance (tape production ended ~1977).