Kenwood KX-1030 User manual

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~KENWOOC
DOLBYIZED STEREO CASSETTE DECKS
KX-1030

The Kenwood KXI030 Stereo Cassette Deck
incorporates the most advanced technology
in the field of cassette deck design.
The KX-1030 achieves electrical and performance
characteristics equal to, or better than those of
any cassette deck available today at any price.
The extraordinary performance of this cassette
deck is a direct result of the many years of
research and development of dedicated Kenwood
engineers, and their desire to achieve a level of
performance that goes far beyond the state-of-
the-art.
Consider just one performance feature of the
KX-1030.There exist a number of cassette decks
which incorporate "three-head" design for the
~ KENWOOD STEREO CASSETTE DeCK MODEL KX-l030
f.
POWER
THREE FERRITE HEADS
FULL AUTO 51 KIT OF'"
purpose of monitoring recordings directly from
the tape as they are being made. The KX-1030
provides for such instant playback of recordings,
but Kenwood engineers have incorporated
independent record and playback heads for this
purpose, thereby achieving a performance level
not possible with dual-purpose combination
record/playback heads. As a result, the KX-1030
provides extended frequency response, wider
dynamic range and higher saturation levels-
performance qualities that are indispensable for
high quality tape reproduction.
DOl OOLBV$YSTEM I
DOUBLE DOLBY aV$TE"""
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BIAS AD.J
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TAPE SELECTOR
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BIAS EOUAlIZER
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"Flat Drive Belt;'-- The Key To
Further Improvement In Wow-And-
Flutter
vibration, Kenwood engineers decided
to incorporate two separate belts: one
solely for driving the capstan; the other
for driving the take-up reel. As a result
of this two-belt system, the KX-I030
provides low wow-and-flutter as well as
accurate and stable rotation of the
capstan, regardless of tape accumulation
on the take-up reel of the cassette.
Ordinary one-belt drive system
Motor pulley
Take-upreel
Feed;ng,C§)
Kenwood's two-belt drive system
Capstan Roundness Accuracy -
The Final Step In Reducing Wow-
And-Flutter
The capstan used in Kenwood's KX-
1030 is machined to the critical round-
ness tolerance of 0.1 microns, thus
reducing another important cause of
wow-and-flutter. The capstan roundness
chart illustrated here indicates clearly
the degree of roundness achieved in
Kenwood capstans.
Capstan accuracy must be maintained
indefinitely, and not only when the
cassette deck leaves the factory. In
order to maintain this built-in accuracy,
Kenwood engineers have incorporated a
triangular capstan support system. This
three-point support (as opposed to
single or dual-support systems used by
other manufacturers) can withstand
shocks from any direction without
affecting the mechanical stability of the
capstan system. Thus, long term relia-
bility and low wow-and-flutter per-
formance are assured through many
years of continued use.
The drive .system used to transfer rota-
tional energy from the motor to the
flywheel can be used to further reduce
undesirable wow-and-flutter. A round
cross-sectional type of belt, such as that
used in most cassette decks, does not
provide sufficient contact surface to be
used in a precision cassette deck such as
the KX-I030. In' order to reduce slip-
page and vibration caused by the subtle,
irregular motion that takes place be-
tween the flywheel and the drive belt,
Kenwood engineers elected to use a flat
belt having a width of 5 millimeters.
This belt not only reduces slippage
because of its large contact surface, but
also absorbs vibration caused by the
irregular motion inherent in the
remainder of the drive system.
Unlike flywheels with V-grooves gouged
into their surfaces, the flat, polished
surface of the flywheel used in the
KX-I030 provides exact concentricity
required for precise rotation. Such
accurate roundness is difficult if not
impossible to achieve with conventional,
V-grooved flywheels.
Flywheel
with V·Shaped Groove
KX 1030
Flywheel
Kenwood s triangular capstan shaft support.
Capstan Roundness Chart
A Double Dolby System
Because the record amplifier and play-
back amplifier of the KX-I030 are
completely independent of each other
in order to accommodate simultaneous
tape monitoring in the three-head
system, separate Dolby encode and
decode circuits have also been incorpo-
rated. Each of the four circuits involved
is therefore precisely calibrated to
perform its assigned function.
Play Head p. 8. EQ AM P
--[:::>--1 PB.Dolby ~OutPut
AEC Head REC EQ AMP .
Erase " •• ~I~ '" 0"" ~ ---0 Input
BIAS ose.
Tape. Double Dolby System
Vertical Tape Transport Using
Independent Belt Drive System
Further Improv~s The Wow-And-
Flutter Characteristics Of The
KX-I030
In most cassette decks employing a
single-motor drive, one belt is used to
drive the tape as well as the take-up reel.
In such systems, so long as there is no
tape on the take-up reel side, the cap-
stan drive system operates without
interruption. However, as tape accumu-
lates on the take-up side, irregularities
or "bumps" in the action of the take-up
reel may affect the operation of the
capstan drive.
In order to reduce wow created by such

Bias And Equalization
The recent proliferation of different
cassette tape formulations used in
better-quality tape cassettes makes it
mandatory that a high-quality cassette
deck be equipped to handle all of the
varieties of tape available. In addition to
providing separate bias and equalization
switches on the KX-I030 (each with
three positions, for a total of nine
possible bias/equalization permuta-
tions), Kenwood engineers have in-
cluded a bias adjustment control, on the
front panel of the instrument.Variations
in tape formulations, even within the
three basic categories of tape (normal,
ferri-chrome and chrome) are such that
true optimization of bias can only be
achieved by precise adjustment. To aid
in this adjustment, a built-in oscillator
has been included in the electronic
section of the KX-I030. Two separate
frequencies are produced by this oscil-
lator and the test recording can be
adjusted by means of the variable bias
adjustment control so that frequency
characteristics are "flat". Proper, precise
adjustment of bias in this manner also
optimizes sensitivity and signal-to-noise
ratios obtained with any given tape
used.
BIAS ADJ
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TAPE SELECTOR
I
BIAS EQUALIZER
LEFT --@:-RIGHT
I
osc
Types of Tapes and Positions of
Tape Selector (Bias and Equalizer)
TYPE OF
POSITIONS
MAKER
TAPE NORMAL
RESERVE CHROME
TDK D
·
SD
·
M
·
MAX ELL
LN
·
UD
·
UO-XL I ·
SONY
·
HF
·
FUJI FL
·
FX
·
SCOTCH LD
·
LH
·
8ASF LH
·
LHS
·
AGFA LH
·
SHD
·
SONY
FERRI CHROME
·
SCOTCH CLASSIC
·
BASF FeR ·
All makers c-o,
·
TDK SA
·
MAX ELL UD·XL II
·
Additional Features And Highlights
Of The KX-I030
All of the features you would expect
from a top-performing cassette deck are
present in the KX-I030 - and more A
peak indicator illuminates when instan-
taneous levels of recording exceed
+6 dB, even when such signals are far
too fast to be registered on the ac-
companying VU record level meters.
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Memory rewind is included, for auto-
matic rewind to predetermined portions
of a tape, as are independent line-input
and microphone-input level controls for
professional mixing and control.
ON _
MEMORY
OFF..tL
r----- MIC --- INPUT --
5
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2
8
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LEFT~RIGHT
The expanded scale VU meters (-20 to
+5 VU) are easier to read and provide
wider dynamic range indications. Soft-
touch lever operated controls make the
KX-I030 extremely easy to use and the
front panel layout is designed with
special emphasis on effortless, fingertip
operation. Even Kenwood's unique 2-
way cassette door system offers advan-
tages to the user. Combined with front-
loading and upright mechanical design
of the transport system, the door
mechanism includes the tape holder and
the door itself can be easily removed
from the deck so that mechanical opera-
tion of the cassette can be fully
observed and, when no cassette is insert-
ed, magnetic heads, capstan and pinch
roller are all easily accessible for clean-
ing and maintenance.
* Dolby is a trademark of Dolby
Laboratories, Inc.
lei

How Kenwood Engineers Designed
The New KX-1030 With Extended
Frequency Response, Lower Noise %
And Lower Distortion Using A
Three-Head Design
inches). It is this minute and optimum
gap width that is largely responsible for
the extended frequency range and wider
dynamic range of this cassette deck. In
addition, the depth of the head gap is
maintained at 100 microns for higher
playback sensitivity.
grams-em". Only when one compares
this with the kinetic energy of rotation
of conventional decks - which ranges
from 600 to 1700 grams-em? - can one
fully appreciate the importance of the
massive flywheel used in the KX-1030.
As a result of this high kinetic energy,
flutter (perceived audibly as a rapid
warbling of recorded sound), and wow
(perceived as a slower wavering of
musical pitch caused by mechanical
variations in the tape drive system) have
been reduced to the low level normally
found in high quality open-reel
machines.
• •
Wow & Flutter Characteristics
High Power, High Torque DC Servo
Motor
While the use of a large flywheel in a
cassette deck's transport system con-
tributes significantly to stable and
accurate rotation of that drive system,
driving such a heavy flywheel requires a
motor with high rotational torque.
Kenwood engineers have incorporated a
motor with a rotational torque of 50
gram centimeters in the KX-1030 -
compared with approximately 20 gram
centimeters of torque provided by the
motors used in many other cassette
decks. Another important feature of
this well designed DC servo motor is
that a sudden increase in load (often
encountered in cassette drive systems
when less-than-perfect cassette tape
housings are used) has a negligible effect
upon the stability of the tape drive
system.
Although some dual purpose record/
playback heads incorporated in conven-
tional cassette decks provide good per-
formance, the use of combination heads
to record and reproduce tapes impose a
limitation in terms of frequency re-
sponse and dynamic range.
The most important factor that deter-
mines recording and playback response
is the gap width of the head. For
example, the gap width of a playback
head is a critical factor in determining
the high-frequency capability of cassette
decks. A signal recorded on tape may be
thought of as having a wavelength which
is inversely proportional to its frequen-
cy. As the signal frequency increases, its
wavelength becomes shorter and
shorter. When the wavelength to be
recorded approaches the width of the
playback head gap in length, the play-
back head can no longer produce an
output, and response falls off drastically
at that point.
Ordinary Rec./P.B. Head (Wide Gap Width)
The Kenwood dual combination
record/playback head
Frequency Responseof Rec. Head Using
Various Gap Widths
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Gap WIdth 0 llf Reco~ tOad
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Output vsDistortion of Rec. Head Using
Different Gap Widths
A Precision Die-Cast Zinc Alloy
Flywheel With A Mass Of 150
Grams Provides Greater Inertia And
More Accurate Tape Motion
/ ShO< wavelength rnaqnetic field
~~==
Gap width
KX-1030 Playback Head (Narrow Gap Width)
___ -Playback head
"Short wavelength magnetic field
.L.
---H~
<, Magnetic tape
Gap width
.In order to extend the frequency range,
the gap width of the playback head used
in the KX-1030 is held to less than 1.5
microns (a micron is equal to 0.00004
Another aspect of the extraordinary
performance of the new KX-1030 arises
from its ability to provide accurate,
constant rotation of the tape capstan
shaft - the most important element in
driving the tape. Kenwood engineers
recognized that the tape-drive motor
alone cannot absorb speed variations in
the tape drive system. Accordingly, they
incorporated a massive flywheel (with a
weight of 150 grams) to increase kinetic
energy of rotation to a high 5,460

SPECIFICATIONS
Type ..... Built-in Features . Three Ferrite Heads,Dolby Noise
Reduction System with Indicator,
Three Position BiasSelector (Normal-
Chrome-Reserve),
Three Position Equalization Selector
(Norrnal-Chroms-Reserve},
Fine BiasAdjustment Controls with
Oscillator,
Full Auto Shut-Off Mechanism in All
Modes,
Mic/Line Mixing,
Memory Rewind,
LED Peakand Recording Indicator,
Tape Monitor,
Three Digit Tape Counter,
Two LargeSize Illuminated VU Meters,
Two Microphone Jacks, Headphone
Jack,
DIN Rec/ Play Connector
AC 120V, 60 Hz - USA & CanadaModel
AC 220V, 50 Hz - Australia Model
AC 240V, 50 Hz - U.K. Model
AC 120V/220V (Switchable},
50/60 Hz - Other Countries
13.0 watts
W16-15/16" (430mm)
H6-9/16" (167mm)
013-1/16" (332mm)
7.5 kg (16.5 lbsl
Stereo Connection Cord x 2
Head Cleaning Kit x 1
Normal; TDK SD-C90
Chrome; TDK SA-C60
Reserve; SONY DUAD C-60
Track System
Recording System.
ErasingSystem
Tape Speeds.
Heads .
Motor.. . .
FastWinding Time ..
Frequency Response
Normal Tape.
Cr02 Tape..
Ferri-Cr Os Tape.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
*Dolby ON (Over 5 kHz)
DOlby OFF ..
Harmonic Distortion.
Wow & Flutter .
Input Sensitivity /1mpedance
LINE x 2 .
DIN xl .....
Microphones x 2
Output Level/Load Impedance
LlNEx2.
DIN xl .....
Headphonesxl.
Front Loading Stereo CassetteDeck
with Dolby' System
4-Track 2-Channel Stereo/Mono
Recording/Playback
AC BiasSystem (Bias Frequency:
85 kHz)
AC System
4.76 cm/sec. (1-7/8 ips)
Three Ferrite Heads
Recording and Playback Dual Combination
Headx 1
ErasingHead x 1
Electronically Controlled DC Motor
Approx 80 Secondswith C-60 Tape
25 Hz to 17,000 Hz,
(35 Hz to 15,000 Hz ±3 dB)
25 Hz to 20;000 Hz,
(35 Hz to 18,000 Hz ±3 dB)
25 Hz to 19,000 Hz,
(35 Hz to 17,000 Hz ±3 dB)
65 dB (Normal Tape), 67 dB (Cr02)
55 dB (Normal Tape), 57 dB (Cr02)
Lessthan 1.3%
(at 1 kHz, OVU with Normal Tape)
0.06% (WRMS)
77.5 mV/56 k ohms
0.1 mV/1.0 k ohms-
Europe & Scandinaviamodel
10.9 mV/l.5 k ohms-
Other Countries model
0.19 mV/l0 k ohms
775 mV (OVU)/2.0 k ohms
775 mV (OVU)/2.0 k ohms
48.9 mV/8 ohms to 16 ohms
Walnut veneer finish side panels B-lO (optional)
Power Rquirements .
Power Consumption
Dimensions .....
Weight. . .
Supplied Accessories.
ReferenceTape* ...
Kenwood follows a policy of continuous advancementsin development.
For this reasonspecifications may be changedwithout notice.
*NOTE: Dolby is trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
Carrying handles D-IO (optional)
$ KENWOOD
KENWOOD ELECTRONICS, INC.
1315 E. Watsoncenter Rd, Carson, California 90745;
75 Seaview Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094,
In Canada: Magnasonic Canada, Ltd.
C-714-K 7n233SA Printed in Japan