Scheduled for release in summer 2020, the M 002 P is a playback-only machine and is priced at around the £10k mark. It doesn’t include any internal reproduction electronics, being intended for use with external tape amplifiers – such as those made by Bottlehead, Doshi and Merrell, and which will set you back anything from £1,000 to £10,000.The design is closely related to the TM 1600, which Ballfinger’s Roland Schneider has been developing for Swiss hi-fi brand Thorens. The Thorens deck, which is a variant of Ballfinger’s M 002 P, is also due for launch in summer 2020 with a limited production of 100 units and an estimated price of around €12,000.Selected features of the new M 002 P include:A super flat (60mm) and compact design for horizontal and vertical operation.External DC power supply.Belt drive capstan motor and direct drive reel motors.Takes reels of up to 30cm.¼“ stereo with 2mm or 2.75mm track width (straight or butterfly heads).2 switchable speeds: 7.5ips and 15ips.High-resolution digital counter.Playback tape head direct to balanced XLR output.Housing available in wood or black.