Harman-Kardon CD491 3 Head Audiophile Cassette Deck

The CD491 is a beautiful 3-head, dual capstan deck from the early 80ties. Harman-Kardon did not spare any effort to make this a top of the line deck challenging the competition of Nakamichi and the likes. Only very few of these technological marvels have survived. This unit is in really good condition with some aging on buttons and controls as you would expect.

This deck received a complete service from us:

• Replacement of Capstan Belt
• Lubrication of both Capstans
• Cleaning of capstan with chemical
• Replacement of pinch roller
• Cleaning of heads
• Demagnetisation of heads
• Speed Calibration
• Playback level Calibration
• Record level Calibration
• Full function test

Below is a test recording made with the CD-491 and played back by it:

Description

The CD491 is Harman Kardon’s most sophisticated design.

Its frequency response is a remarkable 20Hz to 24kHz (±3dB) with any tape formulation.

And with Dolby HX Professional, and its closed loop, dual capstan transport, the CD491 sets new reference standards for high fidelity cassette decks.

Dolby C provides a signal to noise ratio of 75dB. The combined benefits of these performance features allow for accurate recording of more dynamic audio signals than was previously possible.

This is especially significant as more demanding forms of software, such as digital audio, become available.

It has three heads for improved performance and the convenience of monitoring while recording. There is a Sendust record head to withstand high record levels without overload, and a ferrite playback head for extended high frequency response. Both heads are precisely aligned in one housing.

In addition, the CD491 has dual Dolby B and C noise reduction. And its tone generators for bias trim and record calibration allow for alignment of the bias and Dolby level to virtually any tape.

To keep recording pure, the CD491 has a unique meter weighting feature which measures the frequency content of the music. It references the overload level of the tape to a + 3dB meter reading. This allows the user to easily set the recording level as high as possible, without tape saturation. It is backed by a 16-segment peak level meter ranging from -30dB to + 10dB.

The CD491 also features: bi-directional auto search, which locates the next selection automatically. Auto repeat, and auto space for cueing. And for convenience, the digital display functions as a time counter as well as a conventional tape counter.

Don’t compare it to any other cassette deck, compare it to the source you are recording.

Specifications

Type: 3-head, single compact cassette deck

Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo

Tape Speed: 4.75 cm/s

Heads: 1 x record, 1 x playback, 1 x erase

Motor: 2 x reel/assist, 1 x capstan

Tape Type: type I, CrO2, Metal

Noise Reduction: B, C

Headroom Extension: HX Pro

Frequency Response: 20Hz to 21kHz  (Metal tape)

Signal to Noise Ratio: 70dB  (dolby C)

Wow and Flutter: 0.025%

Total Harmonic Distortion: 1.0%

Input: 25mV (line), 0.2mV (mic)

Output: 0.58V (line)

Dimensions: 443 x 123 x 345mm

Weight: 7.2kg

Finish: black, silver