SONY TC-K555ES (1982) | ES Series Deck

 

The TC-K555ES was the core of the Sony ES series of cassette deck. It's aim was the completeness of recording and playback of music in order to respond to the digital audio age. It uses a 3-head system in which recording, playback, and erasing heads are independent. It is equipped with a unique independently suspended laser amorphous recording and playback head that takes advantage of the 3-head system. In order to solve the problems associated with independent recording / reproducing heads and combination heads,  Sony's independently suspended recording / reproducing head has been adopted. This head is structurally independent but occupies the same space as a combination head, enabling uniform head touch and highly accurate azimuth adjustment. Closed-loop dual capstan system is adopted for the mechanism part. By utilizing the tape tension between the two capstan, a stable head touch can be obtained at all times. The capstan drive motor uses a linear BSL motor with a simple structure that eliminates uneven torque. In addition, a high-torque DC motor is independently used for the reel and the transmission structure is eliminated to improve the reliability of the mechanism. The amplifier section uses a twin mono configuration for both right and left of the recording / playback flat amplifier to suppress mutual interference, and construction along the signal flow to suppress interference at the front and rear stages. In addition, the playback head and the playback amplifier are directly coupled to prevent deterioration of sound quality caused by capacitors. The 4-stage Tape Selector, which switches the bias and equalizer simultaneously, is equipped with ± 20% variable bias volume at 3 positions of TypeI (Normal), II (CrO2), and III (Fe-Cr). Even at the same position, tuning can be performed according to slightly different tape characteristics. Equipped with a linear electronic counter, it displays the tape running amount in units of minutes and seconds. This counter keeps counting not only during recording and playback, but also during fast-forward and rewind. Moreover, it is equipped with a subtraction function that displays "-" at rewind with 0.00 as the base point. Equipped with a multi-function peak program meter that employs a double indication system that simultaneously displays the peak value for each moment and the peak hold for approximately four seconds. This meter also displays the peak setting level in conjunction with the  tape selector. Equipped with autoplay / memory play functions, Rec Mute with auto space, MPX filter switch, etc. Equipped with headphone output. Multi-functional remote control is supported : RM-80 for wireless remote control, RM-50 for wired remote control, and RM-51 for foot remote control.

Technical data:

Heads: 3

Motors: 2

Wow & Flutter: 0,04 % WRMS

Tape types: Ferro I, CrO2 II, FeCr III, Metal IV

Frequency range: 20- 19.000 Hz (EIAJ, Metal tape)

Frequency response: 25-18.000 Hz +/-3 dB (Metallic tape)

Signal-to-noise ratio: 73 % Dolby C

Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 105 x 285 mm.

Weight: 6.1 kg

Original sale price: 1'200 DM in Germany

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