THE PRESTO HISTORY PAGE
THE PRESTO TAPE RECORDERS
PRESTO developed many tape recorders and
players, and was about a year behind the development of
similar models
comparable to AMPEX.
Since product research and development
stopped about the time of the sale of the company, only a few
stereo models
were made. Their various tape recorders were of
exceptional
value. Many special models were manufactured for
MUZAK, the
government and military forces.
The PT900 was introduced in 1950. The
RC-7
RC
10/14. Released in late 1950, this deck
deck, shown above, was first made in 1949,
and
accommodated
10" reels. Either the 900A-2
as I remember having one demonstrated at
that
amp
or the A 920 amp could be used. The
time, the companion amplifier was the same
size
900A-2
had a 3 channel mixer, the A 920
and shape of the deck, with the little round
db
was
single input, with playback speakers.
meter.
$795.00.
Priced
at $684.00 in 1950.
The 900A-2 amp, shown with the PT900 was
priced
at $403.00. The A 920 amplifier is shown with
with model PT920 below.
The RC-10/24 rack mount recorder,
also
PRESTO'S
finest at the time, the SR-950 studio
released in late 1950. 900-A2
amplifier.
recorder.
This was similar to the early AMPEX
Priced at $761.00 in 1950, the amp
$403.00
model
300. My 1950 price list shows this model
$2785.00
This was a special tape player that would operate placed on a
transcription turntable, which was
then used by radio stations for tape playback. This was
developed
early 1951. Priced at $140.00
PT 920 tape recorder, RC-7 deck, and
A-920 The SR11 studio
recorder.
Similar to AMPEX 350-351
amplifier. The amp had 2 speakers for
playback.
series recorder. Came out in early 1954, and was
Complete was about
$588.00
priced
at $995.00.
The smaller professional portable
model
The
R-11, a newer model of the SR-11, with
XR-21, released in Oct of 1954, and
was
some
improvements. Price in 1956 at $1250.00
to sell for less than
$500.00.
Was
available around Oct, 1955.
PRESTO made many special tape recorders. The unit to the
left was
made expressly for MUSAK, for their "elevator" music playback
systems. The unit to the right is a Military spec tape
recorder
made especially for the armed forces. Although the manual is
dated 1957, supplements dated 1973 included with the manual leaves
a
little confusion as to when this model was actually made. It
must
have been closer to 1957 than 1973. It had never been placed
in
service, is cosmetically and electronically as a new
machine. It
has 3 speeds, is 1/2 track mono., and solenoid operated. It has
heavy
duty components, built to military specs. PRESTO also
made special small tape players for airlines, passenger boats, and
the
Railroad.
The Model 825 Presto stereo tape
recorder.
This was the 800 series, available in Mono, 2, 3, and 4 track
stereo
configurations. 1/2 and/or 1/4 tape.
This was introduced in 1957, and was priced
at
$3150 for the console model. It had individual head tape
lifters,
and separate power supplies for the
record/bias circuits.
Go to PORTABLE RECORDERS
Go to THE LARGE RECORDERS
Go to FACTORY PHOTOS AND LITERATURE REPRINTS
Go to AMPLIFIER EQUIPMENT
Go to TOP
Thanks again for visiting, and if you have any information you can contribute, it will be appreciated.
presto@theepicenter.com