Sony TC-2810 (1975)
A portable cassette recorder from 1975 with Type IV F & F head and multi-power capability.
Overview
The Sony TC-2810 is a portable cassette recorder released in 1975. In Japan it was known as "Densuke" during the Shōwa era. It supports Type IV cassette tape and was built for both durability and high-fidelity recording. It was priced at ¥61,800 at launch. The engineering was advanced for the time, including a wear-resistant all-ferrite head and precision motor control.
Specifications
| Wow and flutter | 0.15% WRMS |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 55 dB (with dual cassette, peak level) |
| Frequency response | 30 Hz ~ 15 kHz (Dual Cassette Used) |
| External dimensions | 378 mm (W) x 108 mm (H) x 238 mm (D) |
| Weight | 5.2 kg |
Design
The TC-2810 uses a Type IV cassette mechanism with an F & F (ferrite & ferrite) head. The all-ferrite structure wears slowly and improves high-frequency response. The amplifier uses a direct coupling method with a low-noise transistor in the first stage. That removes parts like capacitors between the head and the amplifier, which keeps the signal clearer. The drive motor is a DC servo motor with FG (frequency generator) for stable tape speed. Power can come from 100 VAC, dry batteries, rechargeable batteries, or car batteries, stabilized by a built-in power supply circuit and DC-DC converter. Other features are a 3-position tape selector, a 3-position microphone attenuator, an ON/OFF Sony Limiter Recording switch, an auto shut-off mechanism, and a built-in speaker with volume and tone controls. It also has L/L + R/R mode switching, a lock-type pause lever, a line/microphone selector switch, and a built-in MPX filter.
Context
The TC-2810 was a popular portable recorder in Japan during the Shōwa era. People commonly called it "Densuke."
Market
The TC-2810 is currently listed as "Used Vintage." It is often described as rare and found in working condition. Listings confirm full functionality, including playback, recording, fast-forward, and rewind.
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