If you think that it is a car audio stereo cassette player, you are wrong. Yes, this audio unit is really small (I put a matchbox for scale), however, it is... Well, start from the beginning! In the world of audio equipment, BASF is undoubtedly a name that rings a bell, thanks to its legacy of magnetic tapes and compact cassettes that dominated the scene until the 1990s. However, what many may not know is that BASF also supplied cassette decks to the market under its brand during the late 70s and early 80s. Among their offerings, the BASF D 6635 HIFI Mini Stereo Cassette Deck stands out as a testament to both innovation and quality. Today, we dive into the micro world of BASF and explore what makes this deck a notable piece of audio history. In an era where some manufacturers labeled their units as "minis" while others called them "micros," the BASF D 6635 HIFI Mini Stereo Cassette Deck emerged as a compact powerhouse. Normally, BASF used ITT production lines in Germany to build its audio units, but BASF D 6635 was manufactured in Japan in 1980 by Aiwa and fully mirrored the Aiwa SD-L 22 stereo cassette deck. By the way, Aiwa SD-L 22 was so successful, that German UHER and WEGA also supplied this model under their own brands. BASF D 6635 HiFi mini is a uniquely designed full-fledged cassette deck that can make a superb quality recording as well as playback. With a signal-to-noise ratio of 65 dB (with CrO2 and Dolby NR), this cassette deck ensures that your recordings and playback are free from unwanted noise and distortion. Its impressive frequency range of 30-16,000 Hz (CrO2) guarantees high-performance audio reproduction, making it suitable for everything from standard playback to live stereo recording with microphones. The BASF D 6635's slot-in loading mechanism not only contributes to its compact form, with a mere 70mm in height but also ensures reliable tape transport stability. Equipped with a robust DC servo motor, this deck is built to last. Easy-to-read level control via a three-color LED display in five steps accurately tracks input levels for proper recording adjustment. Furthermore, the combination play/pause key, head access window for routine cleaning and maintenance, and rear panel stereo mic inputs add to its versatility and user-friendliness. Like all BASF HiFi cassette decks, the D 6635 comes equipped with an automatic tape-end switch-off feature. This not only safeguards your valuable cassette tapes but also protects the device itself from potential damage due to prolonged use. The BASF D 6635 was custom-crafted to seamlessly integrate into the BASF Mini HIFI systems of the D66 series. Priced at 1,398 DM for the full system (with 500 DM for the deck sold separately), it offered an accessible and compact entry point into the world of high-quality audio for Hi-Fi enthusiasts.
