Sony TC-4300SD (1975)

A component-style stereo cassette deck with an upright, see-through design, released by Sony in 1975.

Overview

The Sony TC-4300SD is a stereo cassette deck introduced in 1975 as part of Sony's first upright see-through deck series. It was designed for component audio systems. The cassette loads vertically, and a backlit window lets you see how much tape is left. It was originally priced at ¥72,800 in Japan and built with a focus on durability and precise recording control.

Specifications

Tape speed	4.8 cm/s
Track system	4-track 2-channel stereo
Recording time	120 minutes round trip (when using C-120)
Signal-to-noise ratio (at peak level)	59 dB (Fe-Cr, Dolby off), 55 dB (CrO2, Dolby off), 53 dB (Normal, Dolby off)
Dolby on improvement	5 dB improvement (1 kHz), 10 dB improvement (5 kHz or more)
Overall strain rate	1.7% (Fe-Cr)
Frequency characteristic	20 Hz ~ 16 kHz / 30 Hz ~ 15 kHz ± 3 dB (Fe-Cr)
Frequency characteristic	20 Hz ~ 16 kHz / 30 Hz ~ 15 kHz ± 3 dB (CrO2)
Frequency characteristic	20 Hz to 14 kHz (Normal)
Wow and flutter	0.08% wrms
Input terminal	Microphone (2 standard jacks), Minimum input level: 0.2 mV, Low Impedance
Input terminal	Line-in jacks (2 pin-jacks, 1 binaural), Minimum input level: 0.06 V, Input impedance: 100 kΩ
Output terminal	Line-out jack (2 pin-jacks), Specified Output: 0.775 V (at 100k Ω load), Load impedance: 10k Ω or more
Output terminal	One stereo headphone jack, Load impedance: 8 Ω
Recording and reconnector	Input impedance: 10k Ω or less, Output impedance: 10k Ω or less
Semiconductor used	Transistor: 24, IC: 3, Diode: 13 pcs
Power supply voltage	100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz
Power consumption	6.5W
External dimensions	Width 430 x Height 168 x Depth 310 mm
Weight	7.5 kg
Attachment	2 x connection code (RK-74H), Head Cleaning Rod 1 Set

Design

The TC-4300SD uses an upright tape transport. Cassettes go in vertically, which saves space and suits a component stack. A backlit window on the cassette back shows the remaining tape. The head is an F & F (ferrite & ferrite) type with all-ferrite construction. It resists abrasion about 200 times better than permalloy and has strong high-frequency response. The soft eject system uses an air damper. During timer standby, the pinch roller disengages from the capstan to reduce mechanical wear. There is a Dolby NR system, a limiter ON/OFF switch, and a 3-position tape selector for bias and equalizer settings. Up front you get stereo line inputs, level controls for both line and microphone inputs, a large VU meter, and a peak level indicator. An MPX filter, a frequency-controlled servo motor with FG, and an auto shut-off mechanism are also built in.

Context

The TC-4300SD was released as Sony's first upright see-through cassette deck, marking a distinctive design direction in their component audio lineup.

Market

Current listings show the TC-4300SD selling for around $69 (tax included). Used units turn up with descriptions that mention analog VU meters and repair status.

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