Hifi at its very best Mega Rare opportunity to own the greatest Technics reel to reel, the RS-1700 but this is Xtra special as its The McIntosh Tribute completely Restored the only one in the country 17k to buy

This is Not only the greatest Technics unit ever but this is fully professionally restored from scratch
These are $20.000 from one of the World's greatest hifi Stores

Normal stock units selling for 10k and above in excellent condition
This is over €17000 to buy without tax and shipping


But this is another level, built and restored in collaboration
With Technics and McIntosh to the highest level of build quality by Jcorder and Skyfi Audio in California

This also comes with Maybac 10" Reels


This is a collectors dream and a center piece for any hifi system

These are 17000 to buy from the Dealer without tax and shipping


I am only Testing the water and in no hurry to sell

No Swaps

■■■■No Offers■■■■

■■■■■No Time Wasters or Dreamers or Test pilots please ■■■■■



RS-1700 is widely celebrated by vintage audio enthusiasts on platforms like Reel-to-Reel.com as one of the finest auto-reverse open-reel tape decks ever engineered. Released in 1980, it serves as the ultimate consumer/prosumer model in Technics' legendary isolated-loop lineup.

Key Design & Mechanism Features

Isolated Loop Technology: Utilizes a single, massive 34mm quartz-locked capstan with two independent pinch rollers. This creates a highly stable, short tape path that dramatically reduces wow, flutter, and modulation noise.

6-Head System: Features two erase heads, two record heads, and two playback heads tucked closely together. This allows full recording and playback capabilities in both forward and reverse directions without manually flipping the tape reels.

3-Motor Direct Drive: Driven by a quartz-locked direct-drive capstan motor paired with two tension-controlled DC brushless direct-drive reel motors. [1]

Continuous Auto-Reverse: Offers three distinct transport modes ("non-rev", single "rev" cycle, and continuous "cont" loop playback) paired with infrared photoelectric tape-end detection. [1]

Core Technical Specifications

Track System: 4-track, 2-channel auto-reverse stereo system.

Reel Compatibility: Accommodates tape reels up to 10.5 inches using standard NAB hub adapters.

Tape Speeds: Operates at three speeds: 3¾ ips (9.5 cm/s), 7½ ips (19 cm/s), and 15 ips (38 cm/s).

Frequency Response: 30 Hz to 30,000 Hz (±3 dB) when recording at the maximum 15 ips speed.

Wow & Flutter: An incredibly low 0.018% WRMS at 15 ips.

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 66 dB.

Weight: Weighs approximately 25.7 kg (roughly 56.6 lbs), boasting a robust, studio-grade chassis. [1, 2, 4]

Performance & Modern Collectibility

According to historical summaries on Preservation Sound, the RS-1700 offers incredibly gentle tape handling due to its electronic tension-roller system. However, because the tape tension applied against the heads is relatively low, it may struggle slightly to maintain ideal head contact if you feed it heavily warped or poorly stored vintage tapes.

Today, it is a highly prized collector's item that commands premium prices on the used market. Because of its complex electrical and mechanical architecture, fully restored units on audiophile venues like SkyFi Audio undergo extensive servicing, which usually involves replacing aged electrolytic capacitors, replacing worn pinch rollers, adjusting the brakes, and performing precise tape-path head alignments.

The phrase "Technics 1700 Reel to Reel McIntosh Tribute" refers to a highly sought-after, premium aftermarket modification. It blends the mechanical excellence of Technics vintage tape decks with the iconic aesthetic of McIntosh Laboratory audio equipment.

Because McIntosh never manufactured a reel-to-reel tape deck, specialized high-end restoration shops custom-build these "tribute" machines for audiophiles who want a deck that visually matches their McIntosh systems.

The Aesthetic: McIntosh Tribute Upgrades

A standard Technics RS-1700 features a sleek, futuristic, industrial silver or dark grey aluminum finish. The McIntosh Tribute conversion completely overhaul the exterior


Glossy Black Faceplate: The original faceplate is replaced or layered with a deep, polished black glass or acrylic panel to mirror iconic McIntosh preamps.

Signature Blue Meters: The backlighting for the VU meters is swapped from standard warm white/amber to the unmistakable McIntosh ocean blue. [1]

Glow-in-the-Dark Green Accents: Text, logos, or select indicator lights are modified to glow in the signature McIntosh green. [1, 2]

Custom Cabinetry: The unit is often housed in a premium walnut or gloss-black wood side-panel enclosure. [1]

The Foundation: Technics RS-1700 Performance

Underneath the stunning cosmetic makeover sits one of the finest consumer tape decks ever engineered. The Technics RS-1700 is famous in the analog world for its elite performance specs: [1, 2, 3]

Isolated Loop Design: The unique "u-shape" tape path minimizes wow and flutter to an incredibly low 0.018%.

Auto-Reverse System: Features a 6-head configuration allowing full recording and playback in both directions without flipping the reels.

3-Speed Versatility: It operates at 3.75, 7.5, and professional-grade 15 inches per second (ips).

Direct Drive Motors: Quartz-locked brushless DC motors provide highly accurate, ultra-stable tape tension and speed.

Who Makes Them?

These are not factory-made units. They are rare, bespoke creations crafted by luxury audio restorers: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

J-Corder Luxury Audio: Famously known for building custom, show-stopping Technics RS-1500 and RS-1700 McIntosh-style decks.

SkyFi Audio: Frequently restores and sells bespoke vintage Technics decks with custom McIntosh tribute finishes.