SONY TC-K666ES (1982) | 3 Motor Direct Drive

 

When introduced, the K666ES was the flagship model of the "ES" series, and features three motors, three independent heads, and an extremely high-precision, anti-vibration design that sets a new standard for cassette decks. Sony's unique independently suspended 3-head system using laser amorphous heads. It is the same size as a combination head, and uses an independently suspended three-head system that provides uniform head touch and high azimuth accuracy for both the recording and playback heads. Moreover, the heads are equipped with laser amorphous heads that use an amorphous magnetic alloy for the core material, which has an excellent signal-to-noise ratio and is resistant to magnetic saturation. By maximizing the benefits of the three-head system, we have achieved wide frequency characteristics and dynamic range suitable for the digital age. Quartz lock D.D.3 motor system. The capstan drive uses the rotating shaft of a linear BSLD.D. motor, which has excellent characteristics for audio equipment, as the capstan, and is further servoed by a quartz lock to achieve high-precision driving characteristics as a quartz-locked direct drive system. In addition, to improve the operating precision and durability of the entire driving mechanism, a three-motor system is used in which a linear BSLD.D. motor is also used for the take-up reel and the supply reel. Moreover, an electronic back tension servo is used, which detects the supply reel's rotation speed and applies the optimum back tension, preventing discrepancy in tape speed between the start and end of winding. Achieving stable tape running using Closed loop dual capstan system. This is a system that stabilizes tape running by sandwiching the tape between two sets of capstans and pinch rollers arranged around the head. The advantages are: 1) It cuts off the tape vibration transmitted from the reel, improving wow and flutter characteristics; 2) It shortens the tape vibration span, and can expel modulation noise outside the audible range; 3) It uses the tension between the two capstans to always obtain a stable head touch, etc. This mechanism, which has a proven track record in open reel decks, achieves extremely high tape running accuracy. The amplifier section is a DC twin mono configuration. Sony's technological capabilities are fully utilized in the amplifier section, which is often overlooked in decks. The playback flat amplifier has a full L/R twin mono structure, and is configured as a DC amplifier with a circuit layout that follows the signal flow. Furthermore, the head and playback amplifier are directly coupled to eliminate capacitors, and a dual FET differential two-stage SEPP circuit is used to eliminate signal modulation factors as much as possible, ensuring simple and straight transmission. During recording and playback, the motor rotation speed is kept low at approximately 6 rotations per second for the capstan and approximately 0.3 to 0.7 rotations per second for the reel to minimize mechanical vibration. In addition, a zinc die-cast mechanism block is used, which minimizes harmful resonance in terms of both material and structure, and other features provide a thorough vibration-proof design. The ICs that make up the Dolby NR, B, and C circuits use a symmetrical Dolby IC with left and right channel symmetry. This makes the wiring patterns of the peripheral parts symmetrical, resulting in clearer sound image positioning. The high-speed two-speed fast-forward/rewind function cuts tape winding time by more than half (compared to previous models) and also protects the tape at the beginning and end of winding. Cueing is also possible by pressing the pause button and the fast-forward or rewind button simultaneously. Bias/recording level calibration allows precise adjustment of the appropriate bias and tape sensitivity for each tape used.

Specifications:

Heads: 1 erase, 1 record, 1 playback 

Motor: 3 linear BSLD.D. motors 

Signal to noise ratio: 56dB, 73dB (Dolby NR-C type) 

Frequency characteristics: 25 to 19,000Hz ±3dB (METAL cassette)

Frequency range: 20 to 20,000Hz (METAL cassette)

Wow and flutter: ±0.04% WPeak, 0.025% WRMS

Dimensions: 430 (width) x 105 (height) x 285 (depth) mm 

Weight: 6.5kg

Original sale price in Germany 1550 DM

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