The Al 80 cassette deck from the manufacturer Alpage dates from 1981 and was one of the first Tapedecks with Dolby C noise reduction. But also the device offers a few interesting features. These include, for example, the optical recording level indicators, which display the audio levels via a special mirror optic with two luminous strokes. At the time, a behind-tape-control was not the standard equipment of cassette decks as well as the bias fine adjustment. Of course, all these equipment features had their price at the time, which at that time was not favorable with about 1300 DM.

Here is a closer look at the control panel. Of course this device also has an electronic drive control and a controllable headphone output. The digital tape counter unfortunately does not work properly in this device. It shows the digits only very weakly.

A look inside the device. On the right side of the picture is the white housing for the optics of the recording level instruments. The electronics is expensive according to the functions of the device, which one can also see.

In this picture, the meters are slightly better to see.

The Alpage AL 80 is a very interesting and high-quality cassette deck and certainly represents an enrichment of every collection.