Saw this on ebay and have no idea what it really is or where it fits in as a portable recording playback device. Does anyone know information about this very odd pre-walkman portable recording player? What is a Wire Recorder ?

EBAY LINK

OHHH wow very rare, I never knew that any portable wire recorders were ever made! Wire recorders or wire recording was an early way of recording sound. They were used before the invention of audio-tape, in fact most old recordings (approx. predating the 50s) were all recorded on Wire-Reel to Reel recorders, which also only allowed for Mono recordings, as you can imagine the wire is just like a one-track tape recording, and the Wire-Reel to Reel's work the same way as a Tape-Reel to Reel, just substitute conventional audio-tape for metal wire. Once conventional audio-tape was invented and produced it allowed for multiple tracks to create Stereo and Quad recordings.

It would be interesting to know if this unit is solid-state or tube? All logic points to Tube, but it could have been made when solid state was used (plausible due to its small size) and the wire was just more suitable for portable use...

hope this helps a bit..

Thanks Laser for pointing us in the right direction. Guess since I was born in 57 no wonder have never heard of this. Have to agree this ebay unit must be really rare and seeing the price already past $400 with days left backs that up. Started doing some research online found good stuff after your help.
Wire recording history site

Wikipedia wire recording

Its probably a very odd ball unit.
I cant see it using vacuum tubes.
Also maybe there was no market for it
as people were using tape reels.
Might have been a sample product.

Update: This listing (320416559184) has been removed, or this item is not available

Ebay removed listing due to some technical issues with new way of listing. Buyer has adjusted and relisted. Here is new link. He has new pictures up much better. This really does appear to be a one of a kind pre production prototype. What a find for the person who can afford the $500 plus price I bet it goes for.
Ebay link

Uses five AA cells--definitely all transistor.

Actually, the eBay listing says "4 UM 5 cells", not 5 AA.
UM5 or N size is 12mm dia x 30.2mm, much smaller than AA.

This would imply the whole unit is extremely small - about 7 x 5 x 2 cm!

This looks more like top secret (high tech, unlimited budget) spy kit from cold war than anything else...

Listing ended (again).

If its that small it could
fit in a cigarette pack.
Must be a spy thing.

These were used by all of the secret service organisations during the 60's and were able to generate suprisingly high quality recordings

He has many of these?
Selling 2 of them right now.

Item number: 320421686722

Item number: 320418989213

quote:

320418989213

I think he only has one, ebay keeps pulling the listings said this time trademark issues. Only one of those item numbers is active with 2 days left
This interesting verification of the unit he is selling on his listing.

Thanks for all the email. Great information has been referenced by a super ebayer: ""This item can be found in Phil Van Pragg book "Evolution of the audio recorder". A photo of this recorder, Kosth Livi-phone QR-101 is on page 392 and a description is on page 322. It uses wire reels in 1 1/16 inch size. ....NEXT:***I will answer all email***.NEXT The picture of the case shows the small microphone case touching the main case. In real life, this small case is like a film container canister case on the strap of the large case and is apart from it. *AND ****UNTESTED*** is a better word for the recorder then a not working description. I have not attempted to test the unit.

Finally sold for $505

sold
Item number: 320421686722