Pentron 9T-3C

First introduced around 1951, this later variant was a beautifully styled, well built tape recorder for its time. Features included a simple, push-rod speed change plus automatic equalization for both playing speeds (3.75 and 7.5 ips). The recorder had an edit key, a magic eye level indicator and a tape usage scale etched into the top plate beneath the take-up wheel (digital tape counters were still rare in the early 1950s). The in-built 5 watt amplifier drove a 6 inch permanent magnet speaker. The two input jacks (left hand side) were for radio, TV or phono and microphone. The outputs were for an external speaker and external amplifier or headphones. Price when new, 135 USD for the half-track and 142 USD for the full track model.