Introduced in 1973, the Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer was a three-head stereo cassette deck developed to overcome many of the performance limitations then associated with the compact cassette format. It was also marketed in Germany as the ELAC/Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer, combining Nakamichi engineering with ELAC distribution and branding for that market. Its substantial upright cabinet, brushed-metal front panels, illuminated meters and separate recording controls distinguished it from the more conventional horizontal cassette decks of the period.
The Tri-Tracer designation referred to the use of three separate heads for recording, playback and erasure. This arrangement allowed the recorded signal to be reproduced from the tape immediately after passing the recording head, providing direct off-tape monitoring during recording. The user could therefore compare the incoming source with the actual recorded result without waiting for the cassette to be rewound and replayed.
The record head used a highly permeable ferrite construction with an exceptionally narrow 5µm gap. This was intended to provide the magnetic performance required for recording while supporting an extended frequency response. The playback head employed a highly permeable special-alloy core with extremely high hardness, while a narrow 0.7µm playback gap helped extend reproduction towards the upper limit of the cassette format.
A double-capstan transport was used to maintain steady tape movement across the three heads. The weighted flywheel system supported consistent tape speed, while the arrangement isolated the tape section passing over the heads from variations caused by the cassette reels. This contributed to stable head contact and reduced speed fluctuation.
The Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer used two motors. A regulated DC motor drove the capstan system, while a separate motor controlled the tape reels. The electronically regulated drive was designed to maintain constant tape speed independently of mains-frequency variations, helping the Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer achieve a specified wow and flutter figure below 0.12% according to DIN 45507.
Tape speed could be varied by approximately ±6% through the pitch-control system. This allowed the playback pitch to be adjusted to match a musical instrument or compensate for a recording made at a slightly different speed. The adjustable speed control was particularly useful for musical practice and comparative playback.
The Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer provided adjustable head azimuth to optimise the alignment between the playback head and the recorded track. A built-in 400Hz test oscillator assisted with calibration, while the control arrangement allowed the user to refine recording settings and maintain compatibility between tapes and other cassette machines.
Recording and playback levels were displayed by two illuminated moving-coil meters with peak-level indication. A separate limiter could be switched into the recording path to reduce the likelihood of overload during sudden level peaks. Independent recording controls were provided for the left and right channels, together with microphone, line and blended microphone inputs.
The blended microphone input allowed an additional microphone signal to be mixed independently with the principal programme source. This made it possible to add commentary or another microphone source during recording without requiring an external mixer. Separate controls were provided for the blended microphone, microphone input, line input and output level.
The Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer supported normal and chromium dioxide tape formulations. Separate tape-selection controls adjusted the recording characteristics for each formulation, while the built-in electronics provided the necessary bias and equalisation settings.
Dolby B noise reduction was included for recording and playback. The system reduced audible tape hiss during the reproduction of Dolby-encoded material and improved the specified signal-to-noise ratio to 60dB. Source and tape monitoring allowed the user to compare the incoming signal with the off-tape playback while recording.
The transport controls used sensor-operated switching rather than conventional mechanically linked keys. Each selected function was confirmed by an indicator lamp integrated into the corresponding control area. Automatic end-of-tape shut-off protected the tape and mechanism once the cassette reached its end.
A three-digit tape counter incorporated memory stop, allowing a selected tape position to be recalled during rewind. The Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer also provided remote-control compatibility through the optional Nakamichi RK-1 wired remote controller.
The cabinet incorporated wood-finished side panels, a black lower control section and brushed-metal upper doors. The cassette compartment was concealed behind the central front panel, producing a clean appearance when the Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer was not being operated. The combination of its vertically arranged transport, large controls and illuminated meters gave the Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer a distinctive physical design.
The Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer represented an early attempt to bring monitoring, calibration and transport features associated with open-reel recorders to the compact cassette format. Its separate recording and playback heads, double-capstan transport, two-motor mechanism, adjustable azimuth and extensive control facilities placed it among the most advanced cassette decks available during the early 1970s.
Features
- Three separate recording, playback and erase heads
- Direct off-tape monitoring during recording
- Double-capstan tape transport
- Two-motor drive system
- Electronically regulated DC capstan motor
- Separate reel-drive motor
- Highly permeable ferrite recording head
- Highly permeable special-alloy playback head
- Adjustable playback-head azimuth
- Variable playback pitch control
- Built-in 400Hz test oscillator
- Dolby B noise reduction
- Normal and chromium dioxide tape compatibility
- Independent tape-selection controls
- Source and tape monitoring
- Two illuminated recording-level meters
- Peak-level indication
- Switchable recording limiter
- Independent left and right recording controls
- Separate microphone and line inputs
- Blended microphone input
- Independent output-level control
- Sensor-operated transport controls
- Automatic end-of-tape shut-off
- Three-digit tape counter
- Memory-stop function
- Optional wired remote control
- Wood-finished cabinet panels