Brown Atelier C 3

Atelier C3'

Frame data:

• Cassette pickup: motorized cassette carriage ("slider" mechanism) with horizontal tape guide, illuminated.
• Color: black and crystal grey
  
• Production period: 1983 - 1987
  
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 445 x 70 x 360 (375) mm [Atelier grid dimensions].
• Weight: 8,9 kg
• Sale price approx.: DM 1800,- (bw), DM 1950,- (gr) (Info Frank Hein's Knowledge Base)
  

Technical Data:

• Type: 3-head cassette player with separate recording/playback system.
• Tape type selection: Tape I - IV (fe, cr, fecr, metal).
• Electroacoustic features: Tape speed 4.75cm/s
  
  • Band I: 20...18.000 Hz

Band II: 20...19.000 Hz Band III: 20...19.000 Hz Band IV: 20...19.000 Hz

• Electroacoustic characteristics: Band speed 9.5cm/s
  

Band I: 20...22.000 Hz
Band II: 20...22.000 Hz
Band III: 20...22.000 Hz
Band IV: 20...22.000 Hz
Automatic calibration: no Noise reduction: Dolby B + C

• auto reserve: no
• autospace + music "finder" function for automatic search of the next track
• power consumption: maximum 45 W
  

Equipment and special features:

• Microprocessor-controlled 2-motor drive with quartz-controlled direct drive (single capstan) and with constant tape back braking.
• Rear tape control: available
• Two tape speeds: selectable 4.75 cm/s + 9.5 cm/s
  
• Fewer frequently used functions have been integrated into the cassette carriage with their own function key panel.
• Remote control capability: Master Remote connection for remote control via R4/CC4 via RC1.
• Microphone recording with microphone (jack connection) and mixing possibilities with microphone. (Announcement and comments can be spoken into a running recording). Mixing ratio can be adjusted via the two built-in level controls (line + mic).
  
• Timer function (play, rec, off)
  

Remarks

• With the C3 also brought a/d/s - Braun Braun brought a tape deck onto the market in the early 80's that was capable of offering 2 tape speeds. Only a manageable number of top devices brought this function with them, which at the time of introduction achieved a significant quality gain in terms of treble driveability / external voltage spacing and frequency response. At that time, the C3 measured itself against top devices such as the Nakamichi Dragon, whose excellent acoustic values it at least came close to.

Although the double tape speed technique was not pursued further in the late days of tape decks due to ever improving technology and ultimately excellent tape material, there were tangible benefits beyond the slight sonic improvement. At twice the tape speed (9.5 cm/s), the magnetized area is also twice as large as at conventional speed (4.75 cm/s). This results in a significantly longer recording life as well as better treble stability. The problem of self-magnetization of wound tape material becomes much less noticeable. An advantage that should not be underestimated for high-quality archiving.

Of course, the halved playing time at 9.5 cm/s was problematic. So a C60 only managed 2x 15 minutes, while the C120 was not recommended due to its poor quality and low tape thickness.

• [[Atelier series cassette decks
• Braun Atelier C 1
• Braun Atelier C 2 (circa 1982; (without HX Pro))
• Braun Atelier C 2³ (with Dolby HX Pro)
• Braun Atelier C 3 3-head variant, optional double tape speed (allows frequency response up to 22,000 Hz and recordings with longer life)
• Braun Atelier C 4 3-head variant with automatic calibration.

Pictures

• see link

Reports

• Audio-Test 6/1984 (vs harman/kardon CD491) at braun-hifi-Forum, retrieved 10 December 2017.

Links

• Atelier C3 Tapedeck - Private Braun Forum "Gallery", retrieved 10 December 2017.
• Overview of:Braun_Atelier_Series