Sony TC K500R
A feature-rich stereo cassette deck from Sony with advanced tape automation and high-fidelity recording capabilities.
Overview
The Sony TC K500R is a stereo cassette deck manufactured by Sony, designed for high-quality analog tape recording and playback. Priced at ¥54,800 around 1989, it integrates a range of automated functions to optimize recording settings and improve user convenience. The deck supports Metal-S cassettes and includes comprehensive signal processing for enhanced audio fidelity.
Specifications
| Power consumption | 15W |
| External dimensions | Width 430x Height 125x Depth 350 mm |
| Weight | 5.5kg |
| Heads | Recording / Re-head : 1 Erase Head : 1 |
| Motor | DC servo motor : 1 DC Motor : 1 |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 56 dB (EIAJ, Dolby off, peak level, Metal-S cassette) 72 dB (Dolby NRC, peak level, Metal-S cassette) |
| Frequency characteristic | 30 Hz ~ 20 kHz ± 3 dB (EIAJ, Metal-S Cassette) |
| Frequency range | 20 Hz ~ 21 kHz (EIAJ, Metal-S Cassette) |
| Wow and flutter (EIAJ) | ± 0.07% Wpeak 0.05%WRMS |
| Distortion factor | 0.5% (EIAJ, Metal-S Cassette) |
| Input / output terminals | gold-plated input / output terminals |
| Power cable | φ 7.5 cap-tire OFC power cord with polarity indication |
| Attachment | Wireless Remote Control RM-J500 |
Design
The TC K500R uses an LC-OFC wound laser amorphous head, combining amorphous magnetic alloys with linear crystalline oxygen-free copper windings to reduce capacitive distortion and signal loss in mid and high frequencies. It features Dolby HX-PRO and Dolby NR B-C type noise reduction, along with Super-bias and bias fine tuning for optimized recording. The deck includes a sound auto-focus function that automatically analyzes tape type, source level, and frequency content to set ideal recording levels. Vibration control material is applied to the chassis and joints to suppress unwanted resonance. Gold-plated terminals ensure low contact resistance, and the unit includes an FL tube linear electronic counter with minute/second subtraction, a wide-range peak program meter (-40dB to +8dB) with peak hold, and a display ON/OFF switch with three modes. Additional features include pre-end winker, auto-fader, quick reverse with minimal sound cut (quick Oatley birth), AMS (Automatic Music Sensor), auto tape selector for Type I/II/IV tapes, autoplay after rewind, memory play from counter 0, timer recording and alarm playback with a separate timer, and a Rec Mute function with 4-second auto-space. The included wireless remote control RM-J500 enables sync recording without a physical sync cord.
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