REEL SPOOLS FOR NAGRA SN SERIES MINI RECORDERS
Small in scale. Monumental in analogue history.
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The Nagra SN series represents one of the most remarkable achievements in miniature reel-to-reel engineering. Compact, mechanically sophisticated and unmistakably Nagra, these legendary recorders continue to fascinate sound professionals, collectors and analogue enthusiasts worldwide.
Now these precision miniature reel spools bring a fresh visual character to the Nagra SN while respecting its classic professional heritage.
Available in five striking metallic finishes:
🔴 Ruby Red
🔵 Cobalt Blue
🟡 Champagne Gold
⚫ Satin Black
🟢 Deep Forest Green
Whether displayed as part of a treasured collection or fitted to a working Nagra SN recorder, each colour gives this extraordinary miniature machine a distinctive personality.
Which combination would you choose for your Nagra SN - matching colours or a contrasting pair?
Share photographs of your Nagra miniature recorder in the comments. We would love to see these remarkable machines still being preserved, displayed and used.
PRECISION • PERFORMANCE • ANALOG HERITAGE
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The NAGRA SN is one of the most remarkable miniature professional reel-to-reel tape recorders ever produced - an exceptionally compact, precision-built analogue machine designed by Kudelski in Switzerland.
Introduced commercially in the early 1970s, the SN - often interpreted as Série Noire or “Black Series” - was developed for discreet professional recording. Its miniature construction, mechanical sophistication and exceptionally low noise made it valuable for covert surveillance, intelligence work, law enforcement, film production and specialist field recording.
Despite being small enough to carry discreetly, the NAGRA SN is a genuine reel-to-reel recorder. It uses narrow ⅛-inch magnetic tape on miniature open reels and was available in several versions, including:
- NAGRA SN — the original full-track mono recorder.
- NAGRA SNS — a half-track mono version offering longer recording time.
- NAGRA SNST — a two-track stereo model designed for specialist professional applications.
- NAGRA SNST-R — a later stereo version with additional refinements.
Depending on configuration, machines commonly operated at 3¾ ips and 1⅞ ips, with some variants offering other specialised speeds. The recorder was battery-powered and engineered for stable tape transport, dependable performance and excellent intelligibility under difficult field conditions.
Its appeal today goes far beyond its original covert purpose. The Nagra SN is admired as an icon of Swiss engineering: beautifully machined metalwork, miniature precision mechanics and a tape path condensed into an extraordinarily compact body. Complete examples with original reels, microphone, power supply, leather case and accessories are especially desirable among collectors.
Because its miniature spools and accessories are highly specialised, correct reel dimensions, hub design, tape thickness and machine compatibility must always be confirmed before use. A poorly fitted spool or unsuitable tape can compromise transport performance or damage a valuable machine.
The NAGRA SN is not merely a miniature recorder - it is a masterpiece of analogue engineering, created when professional sound recording demanded absolute reliability, discretion and mechanical precision.
Long Live Analogue. Long Live NAGRA.
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