Released in 1980, the Nakamichi 700ZXL was developed as a highly advanced cassette recorder combining automated tape calibration, programmable music access and Nakamichi’s discrete three-head recording system. Positioned immediately below the Nakamichi 1000ZXL, it carried many of the flagship model’s recording and control technologies into a more compact design. Its distinctive construction placed the cassette compartment and illuminated displays across the upper section, while frequently used transport controls remained accessible below. Secondary recording, calibration and memory controls were concealed behind a hinged front panel.
Central to the Nakamichi 700ZXL was the A.B.L.E. Auto Calibration Processor, which automatically adjusted azimuth, bias, recording level and recording equalisation for the cassette being used. Because tapes could vary between formulations, manufacturers and even individual examples of the same type, the processor was designed to establish suitable recording conditions for each cassette rather than relying entirely on fixed factory settings.
The A.B.L.E. process began by checking whether sufficient tape remained for calibration. It then adjusted the record-head azimuth using a 400Hz test signal, followed by bias adjustment using 15kHz and 400Hz signals. Recording level was calibrated next, after which a 7kHz test signal was used to adjust recording equalisation and flatten the response. The completed settings could be stored in one of four memories, allowing the same cassette formulation to be used again without repeating the full calibration sequence.
These memories retained the A.B.L.E. calibration data together with the playback equalisation and noise-reduction settings. Indicator legends flashed while each calibration stage was taking place and illuminated continuously after successful adjustment. If the tape was faulty or calibration could not be completed, the indicators flashed as a warning.
The Nakamichi 700ZXL incorporated Nakamichi’s Discrete Three-Head Technology, using separate erase, record and playback heads. The playback section employed a 0.6-micron Crystalloy playback head, while the record section used a 3.5-micron Crystalloy head. Separate recording and playback heads allowed the recorded signal to be monitored directly from the tape while recording.
The playback-head geometry was redesigned to suppress contour effect and maintain low-frequency response, while the record head used a sharply defined critical zone intended to minimise self-erasure and improve high-frequency response. Nakamichi’s Dual-Gap Direct-Flux erase head was designed to remove recorded material thoroughly during erasure.
Tape movement was handled by an asymmetrical dual-capstan transport. The capstans used different diameters and rotated at different speeds to reduce the possibility of common resonance modes. The chassis incorporated vibration-absorbing materials intended to reduce flutter and modulation noise, while controlled tape tension maintained the cassette pressure pad away from the heads during operation. This removed a potential source of scrape flutter.
The RAMM Random Access Music Memory system provided programmable access to recorded selections. Each programme segment could be assigned a unique code recorded as an inaudible 5Hz to 20Hz binary word. During playback, this code instructed the Nakamichi 700ZXL which control settings to use, including playback equalisation, Dolby decoding and external noise-reduction selection.
Up to 15 programme addresses could be recorded sequentially, while playback programming accepted as many as 30 commands. Programmes could therefore be located and reproduced in a selected order, with repeated selections permitted. During a high-speed bidirectional search, the machine identified the required programme and automatically applied the equalisation and noise-reduction settings stored in its seven-bit preamble.
The Nakamichi 700ZXL included a four-digit electronic tape counter covering positions from -999 to 9999. During fast forward, the counter advanced positively, while rewinding produced a negative count. Overshoot correction allowed the counter to return accurately to 0000, and the tape-memory function could stop the transport or begin playback automatically at the stored position.
Recording levels on the Nakamichi 700ZXL were displayed by peak-responding LED bar-graph meters covering a 50dB range from -40dB to +10dB. The meters showed dynamic and maximum signal levels simultaneously, with peak-hold times selectable between approximately six and seven seconds.
Additional facilities included three microphone inputs, microphone and line mixing, playback equalisation, selectable noise reduction, MPX and subsonic filters, a 400Hz test-tone oscillator, record mute, pitch control and tape-start memory. Direct-coupled record and playback amplifiers, separate recording and playback heads and real-time monitoring made the Nakamichi 700ZXL suitable for detailed manual operation as well as automated recording.
The optional Nakamichi RM-300 remote controller provided control over record, play, pause, rewind, fast forward, stop and mute. It also supported manual and automatic RAMM coding and playback programming, together with remote electronic tape-counter operation and reset.
Features
- A.B.L.E. automatic calibration of azimuth, bias, recording level and recording equalisation
- Four tape-calibration memories
- RAMM Random Access Music Memory programmable playback system
- Up to 15 recorded programme addresses
- Up to 30 programmable playback commands
- High-speed bidirectional programme search
- Discrete three-head recording and playback system
- Crystalloy record and playback heads
- Dual-Gap Direct-Flux erase head
- Asymmetrical dual-capstan transport
- Direct monitoring from tape while recording
- Four-digit electronic tape counter
- Counter range from -999 to 9999
- Electronic counter reset and tape-memory operation
- 50dB peak-responding LED recording-level meters
- Simultaneous peak and peak-hold indication
- Three microphone inputs
- Microphone and line-input mixing
- Playback equalisation control
- Built-in Dolby noise reduction
- Provision for an external noise-reduction system
- MPX and subsonic filters
- 400Hz test-tone oscillator
- Record mute
- Pitch control
- Tape-start memory
- Direct-coupled record and playback amplifiers
- Optional RM-300 remote control
- Secondary controls concealed behind a hinged front panel
**Specifications**
- Release Date: 1980