Philips EL3516
Philips
Netherlands
Tape Deck Details
Number of Motors
Number of Heads
Head Configuration
Wow & Flutter
Signal-to-Noise [dB]
Dimensions [mm]
Weight [kg]
Year built
1958
Head Composition
Equalization
Frequency Response
Speed
Max Reel [inch]
Tracks
Price
Additional Information
Philips EL3516 is a late-1950s (1958–1961) consumer stereo-capable mono reel-to-reel tape recorder from Philips' expanding domestic lineup, manufactured in the Netherlands and Germany.
Design and Transport
Tabletop model with grey leather/canvas-covered wooden case and built-in mixer for multi-source recording. Single asynchronous motor drives dual 18cm (7") reels via idler/capstan system; 2-head setup (record/playback combined + erase). Push-button or rotary controls depending on variant (/00, /02, G); tape counter with zero reset.
Audio Format and Performance
Tracks: 2-track mono (half-track, one track per direction).
Speeds: 4.75, 9.5, 19 cm/s (1⅞, 3¾, 7½ ips).
Frequency response: 50–20kHz (4.75 cm/s); 50–15kHz (9.5 cm/s); 50–7kHz (19 cm/s).
Output power: 2.5W into 5Ω internal dynamic loudspeaker.
S/N ratio: >40dB; distortion not specified but era-typical ~3–5%.
Electronics and I/O
5-valve amplifier (e.g., EF86, ECC83, ECL82, EZ80, EM80 magic-eye meter). Inputs: mic (2.5–3mV/100kΩ), phono/radio (200–330mV/600kΩ–1MΩ). Outputs: ext. speaker (auto-mute internal), headphones (100mV/1kΩ), line. Tone control, built-in mic (EL3750/6112), phono preamp function.
Physical Specs
Dimensions: 390–400 × 158–205 × 330 mm; weight ~13–13.5 kg. Multi-voltage AC (110/127/220/245V), ~60W consumption. Priced ~480 DM (~€1200 adjusted).
Upmarket sibling to EL3510/14 with 3 speeds and better bandwidth; shares chassis with 4-track EL3542.