LINEAR STEREO

Linear stereo is recorded by a stationary dual audio head. It appeared early in Betas career. It was found in professional recorders as two sound tracks for source material as well as or for stereo. These were recorded at the early, faster Bx1 speed and the audio was respectable. The first consumer units that were offered was in stereo were in Japan. Because of the early high demand for these Betas linear stereo was deemed as popular and included along with their Betahi-fi models. Marantz decided to bring stereo to the states and offered one model made for them by Sanyo. It was very high end and one of Betas proudest moments. It was included in their Gold Standard of Audio line of equipment they were marketing. It sold in limited numbers and Marantz didn't join in when Betahi-fi hit the market a year later.