Tandberg TD-20-ASE User Manual

1978 Tandberg TD 20A/20A-SE

Tandberg TD20A / 20A-SE

Test Report (Hi Fi Choice number 22, 1979)

Two samples of this deck were submitted, quarter-track stereo

9.5/19cm/s, and half-track 19/38cm/s. Measurements will be quoted
for the low speed version, but comments also generally apply to the
high speed model.

This deck has three heads, source/tape monitoring being selectable.
Other switches include

Selsync*, edit, play-back mode (L/R or stereo),

left and right record track selection and mike input attenuator.
Pushbuttons select mains on/off, low/high speed, low/high tape tension
and normal tape deck functions, the latter being logic controlled and
allowing transfer from one function to another quite safely.
Independent rotary pots are provided for left and right outputs. Four

separate record controls adjust inputs separately for left and right line
1 and 2 inputs, the latter also being used to control mike/DIN input levels, allowing additional mixing when in
mono. A master stereo-ganged control having a centre indented marker lever allows for easy master fading.
A seven-pin DIN socket is provided for remote control. Deck functions all worked extremely well, but tape
threading was slightly awkward, and the NAB adaptors poor. Two large VU meters worked rather better than
usual, but were equalised slightly (HF boosted). All types of headphone were amply driven from a '/4-inch
stereo jack socket.

The mike inputs were very sensitive with a good clipping margin (attenuation provided) and with very low
noise. The DIN input worked extremely well, with no noise degradation, and at a sensible impedance. The
two separate pairs of line inputs were very sensitive, and both had a good though not excellent clipping
margin, input noise being minimal. Replay amplifier noise was excellent on the high speed version, but just
slight hum was noted on the left channel on the low speed model. The replay clipping margin was very good
on the low speed version but only adequate on the high speed one. Replay amplifier distortion measured
very well. Replay responses were excellent on the low speed model, but 38cm/sec showed a slight loss of
EHF due to a time constant error. Maxell UDXL was extremely flat overall at 9.5 cm/sec, and was
surprisingly good at high levels. At 19cm/sec responses were virtually a straight line to 20kHz, and again
excellent at high-levels. (The high speed model was also superb overall). MOLs on both models were
excellent for the tape type. A/B levels were extremely accurately set, and the sound quality was exceptionally
good at all speeds and under all conditions, the Tandberg 'actilinear' record head driving circuits being very
free from distortion. Overall noise levels were very good on the low speed model, and extremely good on the
high speed one, 38cm/sec sensibly following the IEC curve, which helps further.

Overall wow and flutter measured quite well at 9.5cm/sec and well at 19cm/sec. The high speed machine
was slightly better at 19cm/sec, and superb at 3 8 cm/sec. No wow was ever heard on programme at any
speed on either deck. Speed accuracy was good throughout and spooling was quite fast and satisfactory.
Stability was excellent, and erase particularly good. Crosstalk measured excellently throughout. In operation
the decks run very quietly, and the ergonomics were well liked. Back tension on NABs was slightly low, and
an accidental jog caused slight judder. Drop-in and out of record worked very well. Record quality at very
high levels was surprisingly clean on both versions, the record head obviously being of very good design.
The electronics did take several seconds to warm up after switch on, and this could be slightly annoying.

file:///P|/9105%20werkdirectorie/Manufacturers,%20Manuals/Tapedeck/tests/9160CMTAN-REV-td20a.htm (1 of 3)1-11-2003 11:03:49

1978 Tandberg TD 20A/20A-SE

Cueing worked well, and the brakes can be held off for editing. User bias adjustments allow accurate setting
up for many tape types.

The quarter-track version gave an overall out-standing performance, and can be recommended very strongly
indeed, no drop-outs being noted, and very wide dynamic ranges being possible. The high speed version
was also very well liked, and my only reservation is that the replay clipping margin is not quite good enough
to enable the highest quality professional studio recordings on very high output tapes to play back without
very slight clipping. (Tandberg have promised to improve on this.)

Both versions will provide excellent quality recordings, and show European design at its best. The price is
reasonable, and it is interesting to see Tandberg enter the semi-professional tape recording world with so
much success, their domestic recorders over the years having been very successful.

GENERAL DATA

Mike i/p: sens/clipping/noise .................... 180uV/370mV/-60dB

Line i/p: sens/clipping .................................... 50mV/7.3V

DIN i/p: sens/clipping/impedance.............-24dB/>26dB/21.5kohm

DIN i/p noise ref DL+4dB (CCIR/ARM)...................... 77.3dB

Meter quality .................................................. good

Worst replay hum component ......................... -63dB [150Hz|

Replay hiss (CCIR/ARM ref DL) 9.5/19/38cm/s ...... -60/-64.5/-dB

Replay amp clipping (ref DL)/distortion. ................ +16dB/v. good

Max line output (DL) ........................................ 580mV

Dist point (333Hz 3 3rd MOL ref DL)

9.5/19/38cm/s.................................. +11.2/+11.5/-dB

Overall noise (CCIR/ARM ref DL) 9.5/19/38cm/s .... -52.5/-55/-dB

Worst erase figure ..........................................> -80dB

Overall wow and flutter (DIN) av/worst 9.5cm/s......... 0.09/0.098

19cm/s ......... 0.04/0.044

Speed accuracy (worst) ....................................... +0.5

Approx dimensions (W/H/D)............................. 44/46/20cm

Approx weight................................................. 18kg

Approx typical price ........................................... £550

file:///P|/9105%20werkdirectorie/Manufacturers,%20Manuals/Tapedeck/tests/9160CMTAN-REV-td20a.htm (2 of 3)1-11-2003 11:03:49