Philips EL3527
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 EL3527 is a 1958–1961 consumer-grade, valve-based mono reel-to-reel tape recorder from the Netherlands, notable as one of Philips' early adopters of printed circuit boards in domestic audio.
Design and Transport
Compact table-top model with mixable inputs and straight-through amp capability. Single motor idler-wheel drive supports up to 7" (13cm) reels; rewind takes ~120s for full 270m LP tape. 2-head configuration (Permalloy record/playback + erase).
Audio Format and Performance
Tracks: Half-track mono (2 tracks, 1 per direction).
Speed: 9.5 cm/s (3¾ ips) only.
Frequency response: 100–7kHz.
Output power: 2.5W to 4" (10cm) circular internal dynamic speaker.
Bias frequency: 50kHz.
Electronics and I/O
3–4 tube complement (EF86 input, ECC83 phase splitter, ECL82 output; some list DM71 magic-eye variant). Inputs: microphone, radio, pick-up (mixable). Outputs: external amp, external speaker (internal mutes). Mains 220–240V AC.
Physical Specs
Dimensions: 360 × 330 × 185 mm (14 × 13 × 7¼"); weight 9.5 kg (21 lbs). Sound/reliability ratings ~5/10 in vintage assessments.
Targeted home hobbyists with basic multi-source dubbing; predecessor to more advanced EL35xx stereo models