Product Description
The Ballfinger M 003 R is based on the high-end playback machine M 003 P and also offers a recording function, which makes this machine a compact but fully-qualified master recorder in 1/4-inch format for speeds of 19.05 cm/s and 38.1 cm/s. The base is the well-balanced tape transport system of the slim M 002 P, which we have been producing since 2019 and improved again in 2023. This tape transport consists of a torsion-resistant aluminum plate with precision-milled surfaces. The reels are powered by ironless pancake motors that are electronically commutated and equipped with digital tape tension control on both sides. Like the reels, the capstan shaft is also powered by a brushless, direct-drive DC axial flux motor. This motor features brushless sinusoidal commutation with rotor angle detection, which offers extremely low torque ripple. Wow & flutter of < 0.04 % at 38 cm/s and < 0.06 % at 19 cm/s (nominal value) are excellent values that are on a par with large studio tape transports. The motor is virtually vibration- and noise-free and requires no maintenance thanks to precision ball bearings.
The power supply unit is a separate, electromagnetically shielded unit that is permanently installed and positioned in such a way that it cannot interfere with sensitive audio electronics. The power supply unit is located at the rear of the device, at the height of the reel motors, and is pivot-mounted for better access to other components. The power supply for the audio section is separate: playback amplifiers each have a separate power supply unit, as do the recording amplifiers and the erase amplifier. The connection terminal can also be pivoted outwards: Like the power supply housing, this is made of 1.5 mm sheet steel and forms a self-contained unit together with all connections and the audio electronics. When both units, i.e. the power supply and audio section, are folded out, the tape transport is exposed from behind for any servicing work and the audio amplifiers can also be calibrated without any problems. Due to the high efficiency of the motors and the power supply units, which produce very little heat, the housing need no ventilation openings.
The integrated playback amplifier has electronically balanced outputs with separate circuit boards. The playback level, treble and bass can be calibrated separately for each speed using particularly low-noise and low-distortion trimmers. CCIR and NAB equalizations are available for both speeds, 19.05 cm/s and 38.01 cm/s, which can be switched on the control panel and are shown on the display. In addition, the M 003 R has a high-end headphone amplifier for headphones with impedances of 16 – 2000 ohms. This headphone amplifier is extremely low-noise, has excellent dynamics and extremely low distortion even at high output power. To ensure that the machine can be easily integrated into any studio environment, the signal inputs are of course also balanced. They lead to a main board on which the recording amplifiers and the erase oscillator are individually plugged in. Like the playback amplifiers, the recording amplifiers are also designed separately for both channels. The inputs are not equipped with conventional transformers but with electronic differential amplifiers with an impedance of 5 megaohm. With this machine it is possible to magnetize modern studio tapes with up to +12 dB, which makes this device a suitable alternative to a heavy studio tape recorder. The machine is also ideal for producing master tape copies for private use.
The M 003 R can be operated vertically and horizontally. It is available in silver and black front panel and wood, black, or matte gray housing panels. One take-up reel is includeed with additional reels being optional.
