Panasonic RQ-P35

The RQ-P35 (also known as RQ-P35-K) was a stereo cassette player manufactured in China by Matsushita Audio Xiamen (China) in approximately 1997.

• Extra Bass System (XBS) with switch
• Auto-Stop Mechanism
• Fast Forward and Rewind Controls
• Metal Tape Capability with switch
• Dimensions: 86.7 mm × 113.1 mm × 31.3 mm
• Mass: 130 g (without batteries)

Review

This is a very basic all plastic stereo cassette player by the Panasonic Corporation with the main feature being the XBS sound. The electronic engineering in this design uses a BA3528FP integrated circuit (IC) manufactured by the ROHM Corporation. This is an unusual single-chip IC solution in as much as I have not seen it in many cassette players. It allows the use of direct coupled preamplifier inputs, and the power output can also be capacitor-less. There is also an internal governor circuit to control a DC motor. The motor governor circuit uses the principle of the resistance bridge to maintain uniform speed regardless of changes in the supply voltage.

The tape transport mechanism (TTM) is on a plastic chassis with mostly plastic cogwheels and components. The pushbutton assembly is plastic too and gives a satisfying click feel and sound when pressing the tape control buttons. The most interesting feature of the TTM is that it uses a pair of drive belts. These belts are easily accessible and would be fairly simple for an experienced engineer or hobbyist to change. You can see more photographs including the inside engineering views in the following pages of this multi-page article.

Price/eBay

This is a very basic early stereo cassette player that would have been mass manufactured in China. They sound very nice if you can find a unit without a worn out head. A broken one without the original headphones and requiring new drive belts would be worth approximately five to ten pounds depending upon condition. Of course, a unit in mint condition together with its original XBS headphones and box would be worth much more and collectable.

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