Philips EL3536
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
Early 1960s
Head Composition
Equalization
Frequency Response
Speed
Max Reel [inch]
Tracks
Price
Additional Information
Philips EL3536 (also marketed as RK 80 in some regions) is a high-end 1959–1962 four-track stereo reel-to-reel tape recorder from Germany, notable for its dual-speaker design and early stereo consumer appeal.
Design and Transport
Wooden two-tone gray/blue cabinet (480x400x230mm, 19kg) with speakers split between case and lid. Single asynchronous motor drives 18cm (7") max reels via friction gearing; piano-key buttons, footswitch option, automatic tape-end stop, illuminated counter, and pause/trick button for overdubbing.
Audio Format and Performance
Tracks: 4-track stereo (quarter-track, 2 channels forward/reverse).
Speeds: 4.75, 9.5, 19 cm/s (1⅞, 3¾, 7½ ips).
Frequency response:
4.75 cm/s: 50–8,000 Hz
9.5 cm/s: 30–14,000 Hz
19 cm/s: 30–20,000 HzOutput power: 2×4W (internal elliptical speakers; external too).
Heads: 2 (record/playback + erase).
Electronics and I/O
Valve-based (7–8 tubes) with stereo mixing (mic/radio/phono), separate level controls, tone controls, magic-eye metering, and superimpose mode. Inputs: 2× mic (2mV), phono (150mV), radio (5mV). Outputs: stereo line (2V), headphones, external speakers (~90W consumption, multi-voltage AC).
Priced at ~989 DM (~€2,500 adjusted), it targeted serious audiophiles with stereo monitoring and versatile dubbing before transistor dominance.