The ITT 2600 Horizontal Stereo Cassette Deck with Mixer, a product of German engineering from 1976, is a remarkable piece of audio equipment that catered to the needs of avid audio enthusiasts during its era. This innovative combination of a DOLBY cassette recorder and a 4-channel HiFi stereo mixer was designed for individuals who actively pursued their passion for audio-visual hobbies. Let's delve into the features and performance of this vintage device. The cassette recorder in the ITT 2600 boasts a range of features that were advanced for its time: Dolby Facility: The inclusion of Dolby noise reduction technology significantly improved the audio quality by reducing tape hiss and background noise, enhancing the overall listening experience. DLPF Noise Reduction System: The DLPF (Dynamic Logic Phase Filter) noise reduction system further contributed to cleaner and more detailed sound reproduction, minimizing distortion and enhancing audio clarity. Cassette Compatibility: Users could choose between normal and chromium dioxide cassette types, providing flexibility in recording to suit their preferences and media availability. Recording Control: The option for both automatic and manual recording level control allowed users to fine-tune their recordings for optimal audio quality. Pause Switch and Tape Counter: The inclusion of a pause switch and a tape counter added convenience and precision to the recording process, ensuring users could easily monitor and control their recordings. The integrated 4-channel mixer on the ITT 2600 offers further versatility and functionality: Multiple Input Sources: With support for radio, phono, tape, and microphone inputs, this mixer was well-equipped to handle various audio sources, making it suitable for diverse applications. Headphone Amplifier: The built-in headphone amplifier with volume control provided a personalized listening experience, allowing users to adjust the output to their preferred levels. Cue Setup: The cue setup feature allowed for previewing audio, ensuring precise timing and control during mixing, an essential tool for audio enthusiasts and DJs. Precise Adjustments: The slider with a long glide path enabled precise adjustment of audio levels, ensuring accurate mixing and customization of the sound output. Illuminated Display: The illuminated display on the cassette deck is a standout feature, serving as a practical working aid. It provides users with visual feedback related to the ongoing operation through a corresponding light diagram, simplifying the operation of the device and enhancing the user experience. Audio Performance: The ITT 2600's cassette deck offers a respectable frequency response between 40 – 14,000 Hz for both types of tapes, ensuring a wide range of audio frequencies can be faithfully reproduced. The mixer's frequency response extends even further, covering the range of 20 – 20,000 Hz. Additionally, the signal-to-noise ratio, especially when used with DLPF or Dolby, is impressive, exceeding 60 dB and 64 dB respectively. This means that the device delivers high-quality sound with minimal background noise, making it ideal for audiophiles seeking pristine audio recordings. While technology has evolved since its release, the ITT 2600 remains a collector's item and a testament to the craftsmanship of German engineering during that era.
I bet that's one of the first audio pieces with a lighted block diagram. Technics started putting them printed on top of some of their components but we rarely saw it on the face until it went viral in the 80's.
