We Are Rewind Cassette Player

SO READY TO REWIND ?

As you will have understood, this cassette player is the best of the best! The "crème de la crème" as they say in French. An object that is both cult and essential for any self-respecting music lover.

So, what is this all about ? To make it simple, we have decided to bring the cassette player back. Why ? Because the cassette tape is back !

Remember, in 1979, the very first Sony walkman, the TPS-L2, appeared. A device that sold more than 220 million units and became a cult thanks to movies like «Guardians of the Galaxy» or the phenomenon series «Stranger Things». It is this feeling of nostalgia and renewed interest for the 80’s and 90’s that made us, think about it. What if, like vinyl, the cassette player was also making a comeback?

At a time when music is going digital, when everything is accessible in a few seconds, the magnetism and romanticism of an audio cassette has remained intact. The sales of audio cassettes have been on the rise since 2012: there are signs that do not deceive... It remains now to create a cassette player worthy of the name.

We were able to count on the know-how of French engineers with more than 35 years of experience in analog (within the Thomson company in particular) by creating a partnership with the company ORA, specialized in the development of high-end audio/sound equipment. The objective is simple: to propose a high-end cassette player, with a sober and pure design inspired by the first Sony Walkman.

But in addition to the difficulty of finding the mechanical parts necessary for the (re)manufacture of cassette players (almost all factories having closed their doors more than 10 years ago), the problem of batteries to be changed regularly arose. The solution is quickly found and appears as an evidence: the player will work thanks to a rechargeable battery. More practical, more ecological and a world first. And to allow everyone to listen to their music as they wish, this 2.0 player will also be equipped with a Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. To listen to your old tapes with or without wire, that will be the question... Oh, yes, we also added a recording function so you can make your own mixed tapes… the most romantic Saint Valentine’s gift.

We Are Rewind is a crazy bet: to allow nostalgic people, music lovers, design enthusiasts and all those who think that music is also made to be touched with the finger, to live or relive an incomparable listening experience.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Perfomances:
• Compatible with compact audio cassettes, all Types I to IV

• Power source:
• Built-in Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
• Nominal voltage 3,7V
• Nominal capacity 2000mAh
• Battery life: approx. 10 to 12 hours

• Playback:
• Stereo recording via 3,5mm RCA jack
• Input level 50mVrms to 200mVrms typ.
• Frequency response: 30Hz - 10000Hz with Type I cassette
• Signal-to-noise ratio : 45dB
• Distortion : 1% typ

• Recording:
• 2-track stereo playback
• Frequency response : 30Hz - 12500Hz with Type I cassette
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 50dB
• Distortion: 0,3% typ.
• Wow & Flutter: 0,2% typ
• Headphones output power: 2x2mW into 32 ohms
• Bluetooth 5.1 (headphones and speakers compatible)
• Not compatible with earbuds

• Weight: approx. 404 g
• Dimensions : 140,8 x 88,8 x 33,5mm

WE IMPROVED

• The playback frequency response from 100Hz-5500Hz to 30Hz-12500Hz +- 3dB
• The recording circuit for automatic level control by adding a biasing oscillator for lower distortion
• The motor speed regulator
• The wow & flutter of the cassette mechanism by designing a heavier brass flywheel ( instead of a plastic wheel + metal washer) and by adding a strict quality control
• The signal to noise ratio in playback by using a shielded magnetic head and a double shielded motor
• The “anti-pop noise” for a quieter operation when pressing Play -Stop

• BLUETOOTH

We have integrated the bluetooth transmitter below the battery to reduce the background noise in the analogue preamplifier circuit. The front cabinet was made of plastic to optimize the Bluetooth antenna performance, allowing to reduce the TX power and increase the range.

• PAINT

We have reached a good colour matching between the different parts of the casing by improving the anodization of the alu parts. Also, we chose the anodization method for it’s best resistance to abrasion.

• MATERIALS

We have designed the aluminium parts in 1 to 2mm thickness for the best mechanical robustness. it results a heavy player that gives a quality feeling. NB : the heavy weight is not a problem considering that we are convinced that, like Polaroids, most people will use their player at home and then put it as a decoration on a shelf in the living room.

• DESIGN

We wanted to create a cassette player that would bring modernity to the vintage charm of this iconic device. That's why we drew our inspiration from Dieter Rams' famous "Less is more" principle. Clean design, simple lines, quality materials and careful details to create a timeless aesthetic that embodies both the past and the present.