Grundig TK 1
Grundig
Germany
Tape Deck Details
Number of Motors
1
Number of Heads
2
Head Configuration
Mono - half-track
Wow & Flutter
0.3%
Signal-to-Noise [dB]
40
Dimensions [mm]
300 × 115 × 175
Weight [kg]
3.7
Year built
1959–1963
Head Composition
Permalloy
Equalization
IEC
Frequency Response
80 - 10kHz
Speed
3¾
Max Reel [inch]
7
Tracks
1/2 Rec/PB
Price
User
Consumer
Additional Information
The Grundig TK 1 is a compact, portable, battery-powered mono reel-to-reel tape recorder from the early 1960s, blending transistorized amplification with a vacuum-tube magic-eye level indicator for basic home or field recording.
Basic Concept
Produced around 1959–1963 in Germany as a mid-range "Luxus" portable unit; weighs about 3.7 kg with batteries.
Single-speed operation at 9.53 cm/s (3¾ ips); half-track mono (2-track) format on ¼-inch tape; up to 3–7 inch reels depending on variant.
Power: 4 D-cell + 2 C-cell batteries (20-hour life) or 220–240V AC; includes built-in 3.5-inch (85 mm) PM speaker with 250 mW output.
Transport Mechanics
Rim-drive or capstan-drive mechanism (variants differ); back-tension via felt/foam pad on supply reel for tape-to-head contact; auto tape-end stop.
Wow/flutter noticeable toward reel end due to weaker low-diameter pull; rewind/playback stable mid-reel.
Controls: basic push-buttons; inputs for mic, radio/phono.
Heads and Electronics
2 heads: combined record/play (permalloy) + erase (permanent magnet swing-arm).
7–9 transistors (e.g., OC72, TF65, OC74) + DM71 "exclamation mark" magic-eye tube; AC bias ~40 kHz oscillator.
Outputs: RCA line + internal speaker; portable design prioritizes simplicity over hi-fi.