Abstract: A rotatable magnetic-head unit comprises a cylindrical drum with at least one magnetic head for recording and/or reproducing signals on/from a magnetic tape. This magnetic tape is wrapped around a part of the circumference of the drum and is moved past that part of the drum circumference. in order to obtain a stable bearing arrangement for the magnetic-head unit the magnetic head is fixedly connected to the drum, whose wall is supported by means of spiral-groove bearings in the direct proximity of the magnetic heads in a stationary cylindrical housing. The drum can rotate inside the housing. The housing is formed with an opening in which the magnetic tape moves.

Abstract: A magnetic head has a contact face (2) for a magnetic tape which can be moved in a direction (V) along the face (2). A transfer gap (3) lies in a region (6) of the contact face (2), which is curved into a concave shape in the direction of movement (V). On either side of this region (6) there are located regions (7, 8) curved into a convex shape in the direction of movement (V). The contact face (2) is curved into a convex shape transverse to the direction of movement (V). Due to the shape of the contact face (2), an information carrier exerts only a low pressure on and near the transfer gap (3), as a result of which the degree of wear is low at this area and the life of the magnetic head is long.