Stenography recorders

[madkatb]

So I just scooped two Stenocord D recorders and a Phillips EL4581 recorder. The Stenocords are ef86 into 12au7 with half the 12au7 as an output (Siemens tubes). Tape is a 6" wide loop that runs in the back of the machine...think tape version of an oilcan. The Phillips is a DC coupled 12ax7 into an el95 (Phillips tubes). Quarter inch tape.
So two at a half watt and one at around two watts. Or tape loops/delays. Or tube preamps (probably lofi). Or...anyone got any ideas....
(All for twenty bucks.)