Philips EL3510
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
1955
Head Composition
Equalization
Frequency Response
Speed
Max Reel [inch]
Tracks
Price
Additional Information
Philips EL3510 is an early consumer-grade, valve-based mono reel-to-reel tape recorder from 1955–1958, aimed at home hobbyists entering tape recording amid the vinyl boom.
Design and Build
Netherlands-built table-model with leather/canvas-covered Bakelite-style case for durability. Single AC motor drives both reel tables via "Tandberg-like" clutches and idler wheel under a large figure-8 spring belt, simplifying mechanics for reliability. Central rotary knob controls all functions (play/record/stop/fast wind); fast modes engage by pressing downward.
Tape Format and Transport
Tracks: Full-track mono (single wide track, one direction).
Speed: 9.5 cm/s (3¾ ips) only.
Reels: Up to 5–7 inch (13 cm max diameter).
Heads: 3 Permalloy (erase, record/playback combined).
Wow/flutter: Basic (not quantified, but typical ~0.3–0.5% for era).
Rewind: ~120s for full 270m LP tape.
Electronics and I/O
Tubes: 3-valve amp (e.g., ECC81/ECC83 preamp, EL84 output).
Speaker: 10.5 cm (4.1") permanent magnet dynamic (5Ω, AD3512), with external speaker output (auto-mutes internal).
Inputs: Mic (~3mV), radio/line (~5–200mV), phono/pickup.
EQ: IEC standard.
Power: Multi-voltage AC (110/127/220/237V), ~30–45W.
Metering: DM71 "magic eye" tube (sideways exclamation mark glow).
Dimensions and Performance
Size: 350 × 245 × 190 mm; ~8–10 kg.
Sound/reliability ratings: 4/10 and 5/10 (vintage assessments note modest fidelity, capacitor/motor issues with age).
Predecessor to EL3520, it prioritized simplicity over hi-fi specs—ideal for voice/music demos on early tapes.