Description
Dymek Corporation 852-1 Magnetic Head Tester Rackmount Unit Made in USA
The Dymek Corporation 852-1 is a rackmount magnetic read/write head tester designed for testing and evaluating magnetic recording heads — the read and write transducers used in tape drives, disk drives, and other magnetic storage media equipment. The instrument provides a range of selectable test functions for write, erase, and readback evaluation, along with adjustable frequency, gain, and current controls, making it a specialized bench reference tool for magnetic storage head characterization and quality verification.
Specifications & What's Included
- Manufacturer: Dymek Corporation
- Model: 852-1
- Form Factor: Rackmount (standard 19-inch rack chassis)
- Country of Manufacture: United States
- Frequency Selector: DC, 125K, 250K (front panel rotary)
- WT. Function modes: ALT, ONCE, CONT
- Erase Function modes: WOTE, WTE, TE ONLY
- Write current modes: LOW, VAR (variable)
- WO Gain: front-panel rotary control
- W/O Filter switch: VM / DIRECT
- INDEX rotary selector: 20, 30, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90
- Track indicators: 00 and 16
- Head Select: HEAD-1 / HEAD-0
- Front-panel indicator LEDs: WRITE and TRACK status indicators
- Rear connectors: J10 (RMS/VM), J7 (SCOPE), J11 (MILLIAMMETER), J8 (INDEX), J9 (SYMMETRY), J4 and J5 (multi-pin)
- Rear switches: SYM ON/OFF, VARIABLE / FIXED WRITE
- AC power inlet: IEC C14 (standard 3-pin)
- Fuse: 3A (rear panel)
- Unit only — no accessories included
Applications
Magnetic head testers like the Dymek 852-1 are used in the manufacturing, repair, and quality assurance of magnetic recording heads — the transducer elements at the heart of tape drives, reel-to-reel machines, data cartridge drives, disk drives, and other magnetic storage systems. During production and repair, heads must be characterized for write current, erase performance, readback output, and alignment (index) against known reference standards. The 852-1 provides the control signals and measurement outputs needed to drive a head under test and evaluate its behavior across these parameters. This type of instrument was standard equipment in magnetic media and storage device manufacturing facilities from the 1970s through the 1990s, a period when magnetic recording dominated data storage and broadcast tape industries. The rear BNC outputs for scope, milliammeter, and index allow the instrument to be used alongside an oscilloscope or meter for detailed waveform and current analysis. Today these instruments remain sought after by vintage tape equipment restorers, data recovery specialists, and anyone servicing legacy magnetic storage hardware.
This Dymek Corporation 852-1 Magnetic Head Tester has been inspected and is in good condition. The unit shows normal wear consistent with previous use — the front panel faceplate has typical surface aging and there are handwritten label stickers on several knob positions (common on instruments used in a production or lab environment). All front-panel knobs, toggles, and indicators appear physically intact. The rear panel connectors and IEC AC inlet are present and undamaged. Please view our photo set and contact us if you have any questions.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
Dymek Corporation |
Model: |
852-1 |
MPN: |
852-1 |
SKU: |
31252 |
Type: |
Magnetic Read/Write Head Tester |
Form Factor: |
Rackmount |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Condition: |
Used – Inspected and in Good Condition |
Frequency Settings: |
DC, 125K, 250K (front panel selector) |
WT. Function Modes: |
ALT, ONCE, CONT |
Erase Function Modes: |
WOTE, WTE, TE ONLY |
Write Current Modes: |
LOW, VAR (variable) |
W/O Filter: |
VM, DIRECT |
Head Select: |
HEAD-1, HEAD-0 |
Index Range: |
20, 30, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 (rotary selector) |
Track: |
16, 00 indicators visible on front panel |
Rear Connectors: |
J10 RMS/VM, J7 Scope, J11 Milliammeter, J8 Index, J9 Symmetry, J4, J5 multi-pin, J6 IEC AC inlet |
Power Connector: |
IEC C14 (standard 3-pin AC inlet) |
Fuse Rating: |
3A (visible on rear panel) |
Rear Panel Switches: |
ON/OFF SYM, VARIABLE/FIXED WRITE |
Seller Notes: |
Unit only — no accessories included. Inspected and in good condition. |
Condition Notes: |
Dymek 852-1 Magnetic Head Tester inspected and in good condition. Normal surface wear and handwritten stickers on front panel knobs. All controls and rear connectors appear intact. Made in USA. |
