500 Dual Tracer

About the 500 Dual Tracer

The Nakamichi 500 Dual Tracer is a two-head, single compact cassette deck produced around 1974-1978. It uses Nakamichi's focused-gap record/playback head system, which provides higher head saturation and improved dynamic capability compared with typical two-head designs of the period. The deck supports 4-track, 2-channel stereo at a tape speed of 4.8 cm/s, with a DC servo capstan motor, and is designed for Type I and CrO2 tapes with Dolby B noise reduction. Published specifications include frequency response 40 Hz-17 kHz on high-grade tape, signal-to-noise ratio at least 63 dB with Dolby engaged, wow and flutter 0.13% peak/0.08% WRMS, and total harmonic distortion 1.5% or less at 1 kHz. Inputs are rated at 70 mV (line) and 0.2 mV (microphone), with a 1 V line output. The unit features a top-loading transport, a matte black front panel with inclined VU meters for improved visibility, weighs about 7 kg, and measures roughly 38.4 x 11 x 25.4 cm.