Philips EL3556

The Philips EL3556 (including variants like EL3556A /00, /19, /30, or rebranded as Maestro 33, RK65, Continental 56 in Australia, or similar export names) is a mid-to-late 1960s consumer reel-to-reel tape recorder, produced roughly 1965–1968. It belongs to Philips' EL35xx series and is a hybrid electronics model (combination of vacuum tubes and transistors), following the pattern of transitional designs like the EL3555. This allowed for lower noise in the input stages via transistors while retaining tube warmth in the output amplification.

It was a four-track (quarter-track) mono recorder with stereo playback capability when connected to an external stereo amplifier (typical Philips approach: mono record on selected tracks, stereo play via external summing or preamp). The machine emphasized versatility for home use—radio dubbing, voice, family recordings, and light music—with four speeds including the ultra-slow 15/16 ips for extended speech/long-duration recording.

Key Technical Specifications

• Recording/Playback System — Four-track (quarter-track) mono recording (tracks 1 or 4 forward, 3 or 2 reverse by flipping tape); stereo playback via external amp; limited multiplay/duoplay overdub facilities (often requiring companion preamp like EL378x series for track bouncing).

• Tape Speeds — Four speeds:15/16 ips (2.4 cm/s)
  1⅞ ips (4.75 cm/s)
  3¾ ips (9.5 cm/s)
  7½ ips (19 cm/s) (Wide range made it highly versatile, from long dictation to higher-fidelity music at 7½ ips.)
  

• Reel Size — Up to 7 inches (18 cm) maximum diameter (supports standard, LP, DP, TP tapes).

• Frequency Response (approximate, within typical ±3–6 dB tolerances; varies by tape quality and condition):At 7½ ips: ~40–18,000 Hz (or similar claims; realistic good extension for consumer hybrid).
  At 3¾ ips: ~60–13,000–15,000 Hz.
  At 1⅞ ips: ~60–10,000 Hz.
  At 15/16 ips: ~60–4,500–6,000 Hz. Solid performance at higher speeds for the era and price class.
  

• Wow & Flutter — Around 0.2–0.3% at 7½ ips (respectable; single-motor belt/idler system with good stability when maintained).

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio — Approximately 45–50 dB (improved by transistor pre-stages over pure-tube designs).

• Heads — 2 heads: combined record/playback (permalloy) + erase head.

• Drive System — Single asynchronous motor; belt drive to capstan/flywheel (main belt often needs replacement today); idler tires/mechanics; fast wind/rewind capable; provision for footswitch remote in some configs.

• Electronics — Hybrid: Germanium transistors in preamp/input stages (for low hum/noise) + vacuum tubes in output/power stages (typically 3 tubes, e.g., ECL82 or similar for amplification) + EM87 "magic eye" (magic band) recording level indicator; ~6 transistors + 3–4 tubes total.

• Amplification & Speakers — Built-in mono amplifier; internal permanent magnet dynamic loudspeaker(s) (often one main + lid-mounted); low output power (~2–3 W); tone control(s).

• Inputs — Microphone (~2 mV / 20 kΩ or similar); radio/line/phono (~200 mV); DIN connectors standard (some export variants had ¼" jacks); mixing possible for multiple sources.

• Outputs — Internal speaker; line out / diode out (~1 V max); headphone; external speaker; DIN-style.

• Features —Track/direction selector.
  Recording level/mixing controls.
  Magic eye indicator.
  Pause, fast wind/rewind, auto-stop (limited).
  Four-digit tape counter.
  Monitoring while recording.
  Footswitch provision (e.g., for pause/start).
  Portable/tabletop with lid and carry handle.
  

• Power — AC mains (110/127/220/245 V switchable, multi-voltage export); consumption ~60–75 W.

• Build & Dimensions — Tabletop case (often teak wood cabinet in export models like Continental 56); approx. 432 × 165 × 330 mm (17 × 6.5 × 13 inches) or close variants; net weight ~10–12 kg (22–26 lb).

• Manufacturing — Primarily Netherlands (Eindhoven), Austria, or related Philips facilities (some Australian export assembly).

Performance & Legacy Context

The EL3556 was a practical, feature-rich consumer deck for its time—reliable hybrid design, four speeds (including slow for dictation and fast for music), 7" reel support, and stereo playback option via external hi-fi. It sounded surprisingly good at 7½ ips through external amps, with clear treble and decent dynamics for home/radio use. It built on predecessors like the EL3555 (three speeds, similar hybrid but stereo-capable built-in) and EL3553 (two speeds, full transistor, mono-focused), adding the extra slow speed and refined features.

Common issues today: Belt/idler degradation (slipping, tape overrun on FF/REW), dried electrolytic capacitors, tube aging (output stages and magic eye), germanium transistor issues, dirty heads, and goo from old lubricants. Restorations (belts, recap, cleaning) revive them well. Service manuals are available (e.g., HiFi Engine, Internet Archive, or vintage-radio.net forums), including schematics; user manuals scarcer but related EL35xx docs help.