Climax KEC-11: a Japanese dark horse

Discussion in 'Other formats: DCC, MD, Reel 2 reel, CD...' started by Retro Audio Museum, Nov 1, 2023.

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  1. Retro Audio Museum

    Retro Audio Museum Well-Known Member

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    The Retro Audio Museum in Lelystad, the Netherlands, just received in its collection this unique and extremely uncommon portable reel-to-reel tape recorder. There is very little information available regarding this unit, and what I do know is:

    Climax03.jpg

    1) It was Made in Japan, based on the stamping on the body.

    2) The motor's label indicates that it was manufactured in 1964.

    3) It contains five transistors.

    4) It is solely battery-operated.

    Have you previously witnessed this miracle? What details do you know about the company it was produced? Thank you in advance for your comments, they are very welcome!
     
    Retro Audio Museum, Nov 1, 2023
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  2. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    Great pick up, the only photos I find are yours. I tried searching through the Japan Times on archive.org but haven't found anything yet.

    Those are really neat looking but the knobs look out of place, I wonder if they originally had plastic knobs with flutes? I'll post info if I can find anything; thanks for posting!
     
    Mister X, Nov 1, 2023
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  3. AE_Stereo

    AE_Stereo Active Member S2G Supporter

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    From the net:

    Climax RTR.png
     
    AE_Stereo, Nov 2, 2023
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  4. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    Those knobs look a little more from the time period! Good eye AE_Stereo.
     
    Mister X, Nov 2, 2023
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  5. AE_Stereo

    AE_Stereo Active Member S2G Supporter

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    Another one from flickr. Climax KEC-11 r.png
     
    AE_Stereo, Nov 4, 2023
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  6. Longman

    Longman Well-Known Member S2G Supporter

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    I reckon there were as many obscure brand name Japanese tape recorders in the 1960s as there are obscure branded Chinese Bluetooth speakers today. Check out the variety in this guys collection.
    http://www.dustygizmos.com/arcpages/arctape.htm
    He doesn't have a tape recorder like yours though.
     
    Longman, Nov 4, 2023
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