Sony 630 (circa 1969–1970)
"Sony 630" is the name that shows up in period advertising for what is more fully called the Sony TC-630. It is a compact stereo tape deck with a built-in amplifier and speakers. Not much documentation survives, but contemporary magazine ads and a short specification in Studio Sound give a reasonable picture of the machine.
The TC-630 was marketed as a "complete stereo sound control centre." It did four-track stereo/mono recording and playback at three speeds. It had three heads, dual VU meters, a retractable pinch roller, a noise suppressor and a scrape filter. Unusually for a consumer deck of the period, it also had built-in echo and sound-on-sound recording at the flick of a switch. The built-in stereo amplifier put out 15 watts per channel, and two speakers were built into the lid of the transportable unit.
Sony's advertising ran in High Fidelity throughout 1969-1970 (e.g., May 1970, p.105). It called the 630 a "complete stereo control center" - a preamplifier and 40-watt dynamic-power stereo amplifier in one chassis. The ad copy stressed versatility. Connect a tuner, turntable, or another tape deck, and flip the selector switch.
In the UK, Studio Sound (April 1970, p.6) listed the recommended retail price at £199:15:0. That was a significant sum at the time. No production years beyond the 1969-1970 ad run are known, and no independent lab test or user reviews from the period have surfaced in the archive.
Known Specs (from period sources)
- Recording system: 4-track stereo/mono
- Heads: 3
- Built-in stereo amplifier: 15 W per channel (rated output)
- Lid-integrated speakers
- Dual VU meters, retractable pinch roller, noise suppressor, scrape filter
- Echo and sound-on-sound switching
- UK retail price: £199 15s 0d (1970)
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