Sony TC-2200A
A high-grade stereo cassette deck from Sony with a closed-loop dual capstan system and FET-based amplification
Overview
The Sony TC-2200A is a stereo cassette deck priced at ¥46,800. It was built for high-fidelity recording and playback, with a precision transport and advanced electronics for its era. It sits in Sony's line of cassette decks aimed at serious audio enthusiasts.
Specifications
| Tape speed | 4.8cm/s |
| Available recording time | 120 minutes round trip by C-120 |
| Fast forward and rewind time | 1 min 20 sec (at C-60) |
| Track system | 4-track 2-channel stereo / mono |
| Recording bias frequency | 85kHz |
| Total S/N | 49dB |
| Overall strain rate | 2% |
| Frequency characteristic | 20 Hz ~ 18 kHz (Sony Chromicassette Used) 20 Hz ~ 16 kHz (General Tape Used) |
| Wow and flutter | 0.1% |
| Input jack | Mic jack (2 systems) : Maximum sensitivity 0.2 mv / low impedance |
| Input jack | Line input jack (2 systems) : maximum sensitivity 0.06V/100k Ω |
| Input jack | Re-connector (input side) : 2.2k Ω |
| Output jack | Line output jacks (2 systems) : Reference output 0.775 V (100k Ω at optimum load) |
| Output jack | Load impedance 10k Ω or more |
| Output jack | Stereo headphone jack (1 system) : 8 Ω |
| Output jack | Recording and re-connector (output side) : 10k Ω |
| Semiconductor used | Transistor : 16 FET : 2 Diode : 7 pcs |
| Power | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 12W |
| External dimensions | Width 400x Height 127x Depth 276 mm |
| Weight | 6kg |
Design
The TC-2200A uses a closed-loop dual capstan system for stable tape transport. A hysteresis synchronous motor with anti-vibration measures keeps the speed accurate. The heads are Sony's proprietary F & F (ferrite & ferrite) type, with a uniform black mirror finish on the head surface. An FET preamplifier handles low-noise signal processing. The deck has a full auto-stop with a mechanical shut-off, a tape selector switch for Sony Chromicassette (CrO₂), and a limiter recording method developed by Sony. The level meter lights left and right independently, driven by a dedicated 2-transistor, 2-diode amplifier. The headphone output has two-level volume switching through a special amplifier.
Market
The Sony TC-2200A was originally priced at ¥46,800, approximately in 1972.
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Related Models
- Sony TC PB5 (1970s)
- Sony ECR-500
- Sony TC-2150SD (1978)
- Sony TC-2250SD (1974)
- Sony TC-355 (1976)
- Akai CS-M40R (1983)
- Akai GX-7 (1970)
- Akai GX-8 (1975)
- Akai GX-F44R (1979)
- Akai GX-F71 (1982)