Channel Master 6546 and Micro-Pack (1961)

Channel Master 6546 and Micro-Pack

The Channel Master 6546, released around 1961, is a fascinating relic from the transitional era of portable audio, predating the global dominance of the Philips Compact Cassette. While Channel Master was primarily known for its television antennas, they entered the burgeoning transistor electronics market by rebadging high-quality Japanese hardware. The 6546 was actually a version of the Sanyo Micro-Pack 35, a "pocket" cartridge recorder that featured a rugged, all-metal chassis and an elegant leather carrying case. It utilized a proprietary cartridge system with two stacked reels—a design intended to make field recording as simple and durable as possible for journalists and hobbyists alike.

Despite its high build quality and early adoption by networks like CBS for field work, the 6546 and its Micro-Pack format faced a significant technical hurdle: speed stability. Because the device's capstan drove the reel itself rather than the tape directly, the playback speed would often fluctuate as the tape tension changed. By the mid-1960s, this proprietary format was quickly overshadowed by the more reliable and standardized Compact Cassette and the 8-track player. Today, the 6546 is highly prized by vintage electronics collectors not only for its "Space Age" aesthetic and heavy-duty construction but as a symbol of the creative, experimental period of mobile recording history before the industry reached a universal standard.

Sourced from: Elephants Trunk Flea Market