eBay

Nagra Kudelski Precision Miniature SNST

Reel-to-reel Tape Recorder Swiss Made


In excellent to near mint condition, no dings nor dents.

This is a really exceptional and beautiful set (9/10 condition).

Fully functional, everything works as it should.



You will get all the items showed in the last picture, (except the two batteries ;-)):


Nagra SNST Tape recorder;

Nagra Microphone (white cable in the picture);

Nagra Line cable to connect to DSP-1 amplifier or any line input;

Four fresh, never used tape in fully loaded red reels;

Two used tape in fully loaded green reels;

Two used tape in fully loaded blue reels;

One aluminium take-up empty reel;

Original instructions manual, in english and french language;

Original box, with laser cut and engraved specially made wood compartment;


Precision miniature tape recorder 

The Nagra SNST is a high-precision minature audio tape recorder built by Nagra-Kudelski in Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne (Switzerland) from 1970 onwards. It was based on a prototype from the early 1960s and was built to the highest possible Swiss standards. During the Cold War, the Nagra was popular at either side of the Iron Curtain: both the CIA and the Stasi loved it. 

As the device measures only 14.5 x 10 x 2.6 cm, it could easily be hidden under a person's clothing, making it the ideal companion for inconspicuous (covert) recordings. 

The audio quality that records onto narrow 3.81 mm wide tape is unparalleled. Furthermore, the quartz driven capstan drive motor is so stable, that the recorder is suitable for the film-making business. A special pilot system keeps the audio in-sync with the film.  

The body of the recorder is milled out of a solid block of light metal alloy and all components are created with the finest eye for detail. Because of its extreme stability, its superb audio quality and unrivalled mechanical reliability, the Nagra SN became the preferred recording machine for many law enforcement agencies around the world and for the intelligence community at large. It was used numerous times in the motion picture business, both on-screen and as a production tool. 

The letters 'SN' stand for Série Noir (Black Series) as the recorder was originally ordered by US President John F. Kennedy for use by the American secret services. According to the Nagra website, the SN was even taken to the moon on one of the Apollo missions in the early 1970s. 

Due to the limited size of the device, there was no mechanism to rewind the tape automatically as with later recorders. Instead, the operator had to fold-out a small crank that is located at the top center, and wind the tape back manually.

For many years, the Nagra SN was the most propular professional body wearable audio recorder in the law enforcement scene, but also in the motion picture industry (film) were it was used for recording the actor's voice when shooting a movie. 


GUARANTEE: This is a private transaction and under EU law no guarantee is stated or implied. But if the buyer feels that an item has been misdescribed, he may return it as it was sent within three days of receipt for a full refund minus shipping.

SHIPPING OUTSIDE EUROPEAN UNION: because of customs difficulties in re-importing goods from outside the European Union I regret that I am now only able to accept returns from within the EU.


POSTAGE: I will sent exclusively by registered mail, with tracking number.

Registered air mail with tracking number for Spain, France, Germany, Deutschland, Luxembourg, Italy, Netherlands: 40€

Registered air mail with tracking number for UK, Greece, Slovakia, Poland, Luxembourg, Finland, Norway, Ukraine, Denmark, Sweden,..: 50€

Other registered air mail with tracking number: please ask


Do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.

Thanks for looking!