Sony TC-2120 (c. 1969)

The first Sony cassette deck, released around 1969 with transistorized circuitry and automatic level control.

Overview

The Sony TC-2120 is the company's first cassette deck. Sony came into the cassette format with it around 1969. It's a portable unit that records and plays back, using a 4-track, 2-channel tape configuration. It has a microphone input, a headphone jack, and a built-in noise suppressor switch to improve recording clarity. Recording uses Sony-O-Matic, which adjusts input levels automatically to prevent distortion.

Specifications

Product type	Cassette deck
Track format	4-track 2-channel
Tape speed	4.8cm/s
Wow and flutter	Not more than 0.2%
Distortion factor	2.5% (OVERALL)
Frequency characteristic	50 Hz to 10 kHz
S/N	45dB
Input terminal	Microphone : 600 Ω, minimum input level -72dBs (0.2 V); Auxiliary Input : 100k Ω, Minimum Input Level -22dBs (0.06 V)
Output terminal	Line : 100k Ω, Reference output 0 dBs (0.775 V); For Headphones : 8 Ω
Recording and reconnector	DIN Standard
Semiconductor used	Transistor : 18; Diode : 6 pcs
Power	100 VAC 50Hz/60Hz
Power consumption	17W
External dimensions	Width 329 x Height 86 x Depth 187 mm
Weight	3.4kg
Original price	¥25,800 (around 1969)
Attachment	Recording and Recoding (RC-2); Demo Tape (C-30)

Design

The TC-2120 is an all-silicon transistor design with 18 transistors and 6 diodes. Speed is regulated by frequency generator/frequency discriminator servo control. The front panel has a noise suppressor switch, a sentinel lamp that blinks during tape operation, and a 3-digit tape counter. Sony-O-Matic sets the recording volume for you, and the deck has both a microphone input and a headphone jack.

Context

The TC-2120 was the first cassette deck Sony produced. It showed the company committing early to the compact cassette format, shortly after Philips introduced it.

Market

Replacement belts and rollers are commonly available, which tells you they are typical wear items. A service manual covering the TC-2120 exists, and it is shared with the TC-125. Listings vary in price, including one unit offered at $69 and another at $9.17, depending on condition and region.

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