Tandberg 3600-XD User Manual

1974 Tandberg 3600 XD

Tandberg 3600 XD

Test Report

While a feature-packed modern recorder is a joy to use, things such as
auto-reverse and auto-stop, remote control and synchro-heads do cost
money, often representing a considerable part of the total cost. Yet such
features contribute little, if anything to the final sound quality.

But it is a truism of marketing that controls and switches sell, and sound
quality is often a second thought; so, frequently, the stereophile with a
modest sum to spend finds the recorders in his price range are heavy
on convenience features and “just acceptable” when it comes to sound
quality.

One place you can find what our listening panel termed “superb sound”
for a modest price, is in Tandberg’s new model 3600XD 7-inch reel-to-

reel tape deck. Priced at about $600, the 3600XD offers little in the way
of “cute” operating convenience features, but the final sound quality equals or surpasses that of some of the
best studio equipment we’ve used.

The capstan end-play stabilizer doesn’t look like much, but it goes a long way towards providing rock-steady
tape handling. Extensive use of precision tape-guides and an unusual tape-wrap roller (which forces the tape
into the guides and play-head) produces one of the finest tape-to-head contacts we’ve found; tape-contact
losses are essentially non-existent.

The sound quality starts with the tape transport, a one-motor mechanically-operated device, essentially the
same mechanism Tandberg has used for many years. Except for the record interlock, all functions are
provided by a joystick control: Forward, Fast Forward, Rewind and freewheel. The Freewheel mode releases
the reel brakes and the capstan pinch roller so the user can thread easily, or hand-cue the tape when editing.

Now, a mechanical mechanism is not usually noted for outstanding tape handling, but that’s where the
Tandberg 3600XD takes a different direction, as evidenced by a wow and flutter of 0.05% at 7.5 ips and

0.08% at 3.75 ips. Firstly, the tape path is essentially precision machinery; the heads use a spring-loaded
centre-pivot mounting such as found on the finest of studio recorders and, typical of studio recorders, the
azimuth adjustment is a LARGE binder-head screw. Should you receive a tape that is not in standard
alignment you can easily adjust the 3600XD’s alignment for optimum sound (best highs) – and then just as
easily restore the heads to standard alignment. Secondly, the tape guides are also the studio-recorder type,
factory-set for a precise tape path. Finally, we find the capstan itself has an end-play stabilizer, something not
even found on most studio machines. This stabilizer prevents shaft drift, and is evidenced by rock-steady high­frequency reproduction from a pre-recorded tape very slightly out of standard alignment. (Normally, the highs
would drift in and out with a “whisper,” or short-wave-type fading effect.)

Fact is, this machine is among the finest we’ve seen with regard to tape-to-head contact – evidenced by
essentially zero dropouts from tape-contact losses.

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1974 Tandberg 3600 XD

The electronics features peak-reading VU meters. In this recorder, 0-VU equals the tape saturation level, so
there’s no guesswork as to whether the signal peaks – not displayed by “average reading” VU meters – are
driving into distortion.

Another electronic highlight is the Dolby-record/Dolby FM. A single switch provides three Dolby functions: the
first is wideband Dolby record/play; the second is again Dolby record/play but with an input filter to remove
any pilot signal which might leak through an FM tuner; the third switch position is for Dolby-FM, with a flat
record and a de-processed playback. In the Dolby FM mode, the signal from the FM station is recorded with
the station’s pre-processing; on playback the signal is de-processed flat. Typical of the latest Dolby-FM
provisions on tape equipment, the 3600XD’s record monitor is flat when receiving or recording Dolby –FM
signals, so the unit can function as a Dolby-FM decoder without need to go through the recording process.

The 3600XD has also been designed as a “production centre” for those who need more than straight
recording facilities, such as the photographic slide-show hobbyist. (In fact, an optional slide projector control
unit is available for this recorder.) A front-panel lever switch provides SOS (sound on sound) and echo effects.
Also, since each track can individually be switched to the record mode, it’s possible to create multi-track
recordings, signal input mixing, individual track echo, and finally, the tape program can be mixed with a
microphone during playback.

Performance Plus.

The most outstanding thing about the Tandberg 3600XD is the sound quality. First off, the frequency response
at 3.75 ips and 7.5 ips is excellent. But more than frequency response you’ll find that at 3.75 ips the signal-to­noise ratio without Dolby is 58 dB (using the specified Maxell UD-35-7 tape.) It’s 60 dB at 7.5 ips. This is as
good as some full-track studio recorders. With the Dolby active the signal-to-noise ratio is better than 60 dB
wideband; 70 dB narrowband. In plain terms, the recording is essentially noise-free – “dead quiet”. A notable
achievement.

The sound quality of the recording itself was most impressive. With the signal peaks maintained at a meter­indicated level of –5 dB, the listening panel heard no distortion or colouration whatsoever, even from “live”
piano recordings (which have peak signal transients usually running 10 dB and more above the “average”
program level)

At 0-VU peak signal level a very slight signal peak distortion was sometimes evident on “live” piano recordings
– never from other recorded sound sources. With instruments we traced a meter error of 5 dB commencing at
10,000 Hz and peaking at 15,000 Hz; in other words, tape saturation at 15,000 Hz was at the meter indicated ­5 dB. Simply allow for the 5 dB, as we did, and the result is a superb recording. If your signal source doesn’t
have excessive high-frequency energy, or you’re not using condenser microphones, the error is meaningless,
and you can record at 0-VU. (But bear in mind we are nit-picking simply because the 3600XD is so
outstanding in sound quality. When we say there was a very slight distortion, other recorders with standard VU
meters referenced to tape saturation – as is the usual case – are well into very noticeable distortion.)

Finally, the tape-to-head contact is so good we could record/play sustained tone without hearing wavers,
gargles or dropouts – another notable achievement; though some of the credit must go to the tape that was
used.

Summing up.

As you most likely perceived, we were highly impressed with the Tandberg 3600XD. It packs a lot of sound
quality for the money and certainly deserves a listen at your local showroom. (But make certain the dealer
demonstrates the machine with the tape for which the recorder is aligned.) Even if you’re not in the market for

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