A very good acquaintance gave me some recorders recently. Among them was this beauty: The AEG Magnetophon AW-2.
As you can see, this recorder is from 1951 and is more than 65 years old! This particular device that I have was used in cinemas for sound reproduction. It sits in a suitcase for easy carrying around. It is quite heavy though. It uses platters and pancakes.
aufname und wiedergabe switch
on/off-volume and play/rewind switch
It is in a very reasonable condition. So far nothing seems to be broken beyond repair. My goal is to try to restore it so that it plays tapes again. I have not turned it on yet, it first needs a lot of TLC.
It appears that when used with ‘modern’ tape, this unit will nowadays produce stunning results that would exceed what would have been achieved back then.
For instance, there are three very heavy duty belts in this one motor machine. And with belt I mean like belt from a car engine. They are not in a condition to be used again, so these will have to be replaced. Also some of the electronic components, like capacitors and rectifiers are way beyond their normal operating life so they will have to go too. And then everything else that I will run into. Hopefully the tubes, there are a few, still work.
I have started to open the device up and clean it.
Immense belt
fltr: erase, r/w head capstan and pinchroller
the heads:
somewhere in this shell is the head
erase head before cleaning
oil’s well!
There are of course a lot of electrical components as well that need to be replaced. The first and foremost candidates are the capacitors, as there are certain types that don’t last for so long.
The device contains some paper-oil capacitors, like this one:
This will certainly have to be replaced before I can switch it on. I am told that ones like this will probably be ok:
The device is really beautifully made. When I ventured inside I fell in love with it more and more. But there are a few ‘minor’ issues to be resolved, like: where is this supposed to be connected?
I was told that this rectifier could go up in (probably very nasty) smoke:
So I will need to figure out how to replace it.
Fortunately I have got the electrical diagram:
Nice finds! Do you have any spare parts for the N4520 tapemachines? Mine has a broken pinch roller shaft and a broken reel table and it seems almost impossible to find those parts here in Sweden.
I think the N4520 is by far the best tape deck I have owned. Fsx heads, the bias adjustment, three speeds makes it very useful and I think it has been very relable until totay 🙂
Hello Jonas,
They do sound very, very good when they are in good shape.
Unfortunately I do not have the spare parts you require. I hope you find them, you might get lucky on ebay one day.
(It is almost worth the extra money to buy a spare deck for the parts 😀 )
Regards,
Philip.
just a question here, do you know the details of the VU lamps, I have one that is broken? where I might get one or the details of the lamp to get a different one, maybe a LED that would be suitable?
Ian Staley
ianfpstaley@btinternet.com
thanks
Sorry, can’t find the specs of the bulb in the SM.
Now I have another problem my VU meters have decided to die. Any idea how to get some more two would be nice.
Met ronnie van essen heb een philips N4520 . Heb een voorfront nodig
Hi,
I’m also a N4520 owner. Mine has worn out heads — at least, they look awful. Do you have any idea whether replacement heads can be found?
Maybe the electronics in one of the recording channels has a problem too, should be fixable.
Regards, Hans
Congratulations! This deck, when in perfect condition, is capable of producing awesome results and should sound great!
Unfortunately, I do not know of any replacement heads. They need to come from a donor machine I’m afraid.
Hello sir
I have bought a N4520 recently. But one VU-meter is broken down. Do you have this meter for selling?
No. But can’t you repair it?
Sorry for the long wait for the reply. No I haven’t.
hello there I have the change of buying a Philips n 4522 here in Argentina,only 2 issues the power button does not hold,and the play stops after a little while,i have been told is something to replace on the play button,should I get it anyway if the price is okay. I ve read is an excellent sounding machine,but no replacement parts,it will be my first reel to reel deck,hanks in advance for your help
Hello Oscar,
Please realise that the 4522 is a 2-track machine, not a 4 track. The Power button is just nuisance, not a show stopper. You can plug/unplug the machine.
It’s difficult to say what is the problem that the playing stops. Maybe it will need some fixing. Depends on whether you are handy if you can fix it yourself. 🙂
However, if you are serious about tapedecks, this IS a highly sought-after model, even by audiophiles, that sounds just incredible when it is in top condition.
Good luck!
I can replace the switch on the Philips N4520 series. I have spare parts and have made that fix several times. I am located in Buenos Aires. Please contact me at wilki@hgprods.com.ar
Daar readers,
Happy of anyone can tell me how to remove the mid part of the front cover of my N4522 to replace the “power button”.
Thanks!
I think you missed the screws that are under the head protector maybe?
don’t forget to remove the pinch-roller
looking for the name badge across the front of the N4520 the aluminium strip, any ideas as to a source please. Ian Staley
Hi Ian,
That is unfortunate. That part is mostly unobtainable. You may find one somewhere like ebay when you are very, very patient, and then expect to pay a lot.
An option is to have a transparent sticker made, that looks good. This guy sells them:
https://www.marktplaats.nl/a/audio-tv-en-foto/bandrecorders/m1669829608-n4520-n4522-stickers-opdruk-voorpanelen-philips-bandrecorder.html?previousPage=lr
Good luck!
-Philip
Hi Philip, I have a Philips N 4520 and for some reason is not working ,over night , just like that , all commands doesn’t work anymore. I push play, Fast-forward ,rewind ,pause, looks like the pinch roller doesn’t engage on capstan for playing tape. To be more precisely the vu meter are on everything looks ok just the reel doesn’t move at all. I will much appreciated if you can give me a suggestion or advice if possible. Maybe should be a transistor or capacitor , I just asking for help .This is my email address relucarp@hotmail.com or you can txt me on my cell 1778-238-0161 . My name is Relu I’m from Vancouver
British Columbia/Canada. Thanks
Hi Philip, I just found the problem of my N 4520 . The tape control tape board had a crack down in the middle and need to be fix or replace. Do you have something like that ? I just looking around on ebay for parts but with no chance. My question is if somebody can fix this problem ? Is fixable ? Thanks for your response . This is my email address relucarp@hotmail.com
Relu
Hi Relu, glad that you found the source of your problem. Unfortunately I do not have that part as a spare. I suggest you keep looking on ebay, but you will need patience. Make it a search that ebay notifies you for.
-Philip.
P.S. I found a new audio board for my N4520 after more than 4 years of searching.
Hi Philip, Enjoyed reading your experiences with the N4520/22. I own one of each as well, I was wondering if you noticed the odd setting Philips specify for 0DB Peak for the N4522 – it calls for a 1.1v RMS output at 0 DB Peak, and a 250nwb/m calibration tape should be adjusted to output 0.780v RMS. This means a G320 alignment tape shows -1db Peak on the meters., which doesn’t appear to follow any standards to me.
Cheers, Vic