A high-end stereo cassette deck from Sony’s late-1970s lineup, notable for its pioneering LCD peak program meter and precision tape handling.
Overview
Marketed as the first newly developed cassette deck in Sony's lineup at the time, it was engineered for high fidelity and advanced user control. It supports Normal, Chrome, and Ferro tapes with a 3-stage switching tape selector that operates independently of bias and equalizer settings. The deck features a front line-in jack, line and microphone mixing capability, and independent volume controls for lineout and headphone outputs.
Specifications
| Track system | 4-track 2-channel stereo |
| Bias frequency | 105kHz |
| Fast-forward and rewind time | Approximately 70 seconds (at C-60) |
| Total S/N | 60 dB (Fe-Cr, peak level, Dolby NR off) |
| Total S/N | 56 dB (CrO2, peak level, Dolby NR off) |
| Dolby NR on improvement | 5 dB improvement (at 1 kHz), 10 dB improvement (5 kHz or more) |
| Overall strain rate | 1.3% |
| Frequency characteristic (Dolby NR off) | 20 Hz ~ 18kHz/30Hz ~ 16 kHz ± 3 dB (Fe-Cr) |
| Frequency characteristic (Dolby NR off) | 20 Hz ~ 17.7kHz/30Hz ~ 15 kHz ± 3 dB (CrO2) |
| Frequency characteristic (Dolby NR off) | 20 Hz to 15 kHz (Normal) |
| Wow and flutter | 0.045%(WRMS) |
| Input terminal Mic | 0.2 mV (-72dB) / for Low Impedance Microphone |
| Input terminal Line | 0.06 V (-22dB) / 100k Ω |
| Output terminal Line | 0.775 V (at 0 dB, 100k Ω load) |
| Output terminal Headphone | 8 Ω ~ 32 Ω |
| Meter indication range | -40dB to + 5 dB |
| Attack time | Indication when a sine wave of 0 dB is applied for 10 msec : -1dB ± 0.5 dB |
| Attack time | Indication when a sine wave of 0 dB is applied for 3 msec : -4dB + / - 1 dB |
| Recovery time | Time to return from 0 dB to -20dB : 750 msec. |
| Visible Elements | L/R channel, each 64 elements |
| Remote control jack | 11-pin connector |
| Semiconductor used | Transistor : 93 Diode : 94 units FET : 1 IC : 22 |
| Power outlet | Unswitched : 1 system, 300W |
| Power | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 26W |
| External dimensions | Width 430x Height 170x Depth 310 mm |
| Weight | 10.8kg |
Design
The TC-K8B features a multi-functional double-indication LCD peak program meter capable of simultaneous level check and peak hold, with manual and auto reset modes (the latter resetting every ~1.7 seconds). It uses an F & F head for recording and playback, and the reproducing amplifier employs direct coupling to eliminate capacitor-induced sound degradation. A green FG servo motor drives the capstan, while a high-torque motor enables fast winding. The deck includes a Sony Limiter, Rec Mute for one-touch silent recording, and a memory stop/play function for repeated playback. An auto shut-off mechanism is included, along with an MPX filter to remove FM pilot signals. The speed control circuit is built around a specialized Sony IC, and remote operation is supported via the separately sold RM-30 wired remote. A program timer enables unattended recording and alarm playback.
Market
The Sony TC-K8B was originally priced at ¥128,000 around 1976. It came with a connection code and head cleaning rod; the RM-30 wired remote controller was sold separately. Forum discussions note that the deck can develop play issues, often tied to the specialized Sony IC in the speed control circuit.
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