Philips EL3541
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
1959-1964
Head Composition
Equalization
Frequency Response
Speed
Max Reel [inch]
Tracks
Price
Additional Information
Philips EL3541 is a compact, valve-based 4-track mono reel-to-reel tape recorder from 1958–1960, manufactured in Germany as Philips' efficient consumer model doubling tape capacity via quarter-track recording.
Design and Transport
Tabletop unit in plastic or wooden cabinet (350–400 × 170–175 × 300–325 mm; 8–9 kg) with single asynchronous motor, idler/capstan drive for up to 18 cm (7") reels. Push-button controls (play, rewind, pause, stop), track selector around volume knob, and recording-level magic-eye tube serving as pilot light.
Audio Format and Performance
Tracks: 4-track mono (quarter-track, 2 tracks per side/direction).
Speed: 9.5 cm/s (3¾ ips) only.
Frequency response: 50–14,000 Hz.
Wow/flutter: <0.2%.
Heads: 2 (Permalloy record/playback combined + erase).
Output power: 2.5W to elliptical permanent-magnet dynamic loudspeaker.
Electronics and I/O
5-tube amplifier (EF86 input, ECC83, EL84 output, etc.). Inputs: mic (2 mV/0.1 MΩ), phono (100 mV/1 MΩ), tuner/radio (3 mV/0.1 MΩ), line. Outputs: line (1V), external speaker, headphones. Tone control; premagnetization 57 kHz; multi-voltage AC (110/127/220/245V), ~60W.
Evolution of EL3515 with 4-track doubling playtime; popular for home demos despite modest high-end response.