Philips EL3540
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 EL3540 is an extremely early consumer mono reel-to-reel tape recorder from 1951, predating Philips' main EL35xx domestic series and representing one of their first forays into affordable home tape recording.
Design and Transport
Large, heavy table-top model (likely 1950s wooden cabinet style) with basic single-motor drive system for small 4–5" reels. Simple rotary controls; valve electronics typical of immediate post-war tape decks before transistorization.
Audio Format and Performance
Tracks: Full-track mono.
Speed: Likely 9.5 cm/s (3¾ ips), standard for early Philips consumer machines.
Heads: Basic 2–3 head configuration (erase + record/playback).
Frequency response: Era-limited ~100–5,000 Hz.
Output: Internal dynamic loudspeaker (~2–3W).
Electronics and I/O
All-valve amplifier (4–5 tubes including input pentode, output pentode, rectifier, magic-eye meter). Basic microphone/radio inputs; multi-voltage AC power. No advanced mixing or speeds found in documentation.
Historical Context
As a 1951 model (EL3540/10 variant documented), it bridges Philips' professional machines (EL350x) and consumer lineup (EL3510+). Extremely rare today; technical details sparse due to age—surviving units prioritize speech over music fidelity.
This positions EL3540 as a pioneering domestic tape recorder just before rock 'n' roll era demand exploded Philips' production