Sony Silver-stack grows! [Archive]

Scorpion8

03-25-2009, 08:46 AM

My latest two acquisitions, a Sony TC-K61 (bottom, 2-head) and TC-K-75 (top, 3-head) decks. I love this 1980-vintage lineup and the TC-K75 was TOTL in 1980. The specs are shown in the Sony brochure I posted earlier. The TC-K61 is the predecessor of my much loved TC-K65 (still hunting that one). Fredd Marrs has belt kits on their way winging toward me, but the -K75 plays sweet with nary a hint of flutter. It'll get new belts anyway. The -K61 needs belts bad. So far I haven't tried recording off either one (they're too new and I'm still in happy glow period.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p141/Scorpion008/HPIM0560.jpg

And a close up of the controls of the -K75....

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p141/Scorpion008/HPIM0563.jpg

I also have a -K71 (3 head version of the -K61) at home on the workbench t-shooting a bad recording channel. Pics of that to come soon.

Naknut

03-25-2009, 08:50 AM

Love the styling too on these Sonys. Any chance that you have or are going to try and get the matching components (amp,tuner,etc.) to this series?

Scorpion8

03-25-2009, 08:52 AM

Love the styling too on these Sonys. Any chance that you have or are going to try and get the matching components (amp,tuner,etc.) to this series?

You know, I don't even think I've ever even seen those. I concentrated on the tape decks (4 of the lineup so far) but I'd love any info about the "other side" if you had any.

BlazeES

03-25-2009, 10:09 AM

Love that TC-K75!

Great score Scorp!

MASTERTAPE

03-25-2009, 10:30 AM

You know what I like a lot of these two Sony ,is the fact that you can see the whole tape thru the window.not like those late Sony models that you even need to get a flash light to see the tape.

Scorpion8

03-25-2009, 11:09 AM

Love that TC-K75!

This is the one stuwee e-mailed me about an auction place "opportunity" that I closed on quickly. It's good to have friends in low places! *Hi5*

I love this Sony series for their consistent look, and the fact that they play all 4 tape types w/o guilt. Built like tanks.

Web Police

03-25-2009, 11:25 AM

Nice stack o Sony's. *thumbsup*

stuwee

03-25-2009, 11:28 AM

This is the one stuwee e-mailed me about an auction place "opportunity" that I closed on quickly. It's good to have friends in low places! *Hi5*

I love this Sony series for their consistent look, and the fact that they play all 4 tape types w/o guilt. Built like tanks.

It got up there safe and sound!! *bananadance**bananadance* Nice deck! I'm glad I crawled outta my 'low place' under a rock in AZ to see it and enable you! *grin*

Forever your #1 Enabler,
the stuwster -noteeth-

close652

03-25-2009, 11:42 AM

stuwee

03-25-2009, 11:48 AM

Wow, your UPS/Fedex folks deliver early on your route, I'm always at the end of the shift down here, like 6 or 7pm *headache*

Scorpion8

03-25-2009, 12:56 PM

This TC-K75 looks exactly like my TC-K81. The only difference is the power button. The Japan K75 looks exactly like mine.
http://audio-heritage.jp/SONY-ESPRIT/player/tc-k75.html
Or is it a replacement power button on yours?
I wonder what is the difference between K75 and K81.

You know, it's original as it has all the correct decal markings and such. I've seen them on other Sony decks, but none of the ones posted here (http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=3361) have this.

Wow, your UPS/Fedex folks deliver early on your route, I'm always at the end of the shift down here, like 6 or 7pm *headache*

Actually it was at the post office last night but I got there too late *fit* to pick up a package, so I had to grab it at 0600 on the way into work today. TG they open the package pickup that early in our area. But it helps, as that way the SWMBO didn't see the package in the truck .....

Mignun67

03-25-2009, 01:11 PM

Nice decks Scorp! I love the power button on the top deck!

close652

03-25-2009, 01:52 PM

Ok, I see now. I can't wait to read your further comments on them!

Nakdoc

03-25-2009, 02:26 PM

These Sonys have a 4" cast flywheel and a motor custom made by Sony that lasts a lifetime. I always was struck by the LED intensity...does anything else look the same meter-wise?
The goofy thing about the TC-K and the TC-FX decks was that they were biased for Sony tape, and really sucked with Maxell TDK or Fuji.

Scorpion8

03-25-2009, 02:44 PM

The goofy thing about the TC-K and the TC-FX decks was that they were biased for Sony tape, and really sucked with Maxell TDK or Fuji.

Oooo, I'd say "au contraire, mes amis". I had a TC-K65 in college in 1980 and recorded truckloads of TDK SA fare of the day which I'm playing right now on the TC-K75 and they sound like the day I put needle-to-vinyl. Or maybe I just like 'em that way. *dunno*

But it sure does sound good!

ETA: yea, the meters are just mesmerizing. I can watch them forever .....

Scorpion8

03-31-2009, 01:58 PM

Just got done re-belting the lower TC-K61 with a belt kit from Fred at Marrs Communications. Sounds superb, thanks Fred!!! This unit has now rotated into my office stack in place of the Sony TC-K44 previously installed. Up next is the TC-K75!

BlazeES

03-31-2009, 02:19 PM

"ETA: yea, the meters are just mesmerizing. I can watch them forever ....."

All hobbies have their own idiosyncrasies; it's those things that bind us together in the pursuit of happiness and something that outsiders don't quite understand.

Case in point, I recently expressed similar 'pleasure' in meter watching to an outsider.

He replied with, "you know, they make a pill for that..."

Needless to say, I proceeded to punch that assclown in the nose...

*cool*

Scorpion8

03-31-2009, 06:45 PM

Needless to say, I proceeded to punch that assclown in the nose...

I wouldv'e helped! *Hi5*

Marek

03-31-2009, 06:50 PM

Battleship tough!*thumbsup*

These Sonys have a 4" cast flywheel and a motor custom made by Sony that lasts a lifetime. .

Scorpion8

04-15-2009, 08:08 AM

stuwee

04-15-2009, 08:23 AM

Can't help myself..... OCD is onset and has it's firm grip. Just received another (yes!) TC-K61 to match my first one, and am twisting Broonsbanes arm on a TC-K71 to have a second one of that model. Oh lordy! What's a TH'er to do?!?

You're a sick puppy, overcompansating for the elusive K65! Your boss is gonna turn into SWMBO'd "Jim, if you bring one more smelly old stereo into your cubicle, I swear!"

Scorpion8

05-20-2009, 08:24 AM

What was it I said about OCD? I just got in another minty TC-K71, on the top of this stack. Now ain't that just the purtiest picture of some awesome decks ever? That makes two (2) TC-K71's, two (2) TC-K61's, one (1) TC-K75, one (1) TC-K44....

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p141/Scorpion008/HPIM0618.jpg

Lord, somebody stop me before I add more .....

Scorpion8

06-30-2009, 01:26 PM

Just added a mint TC-K81 to the collection. This one appears to be perfect. Test recording on a Sony UX-Pro 60 right now to test, and pics will be added tonight. The stack grows and improves ....

Okay, here's the "new-to-me" TC-K81 and the four (4) NOS still-in-wrapper tapes that came with the machine....

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p141/Scorpion008/HPIM0629.jpg

And now 5/7ths of the silver Sony's. One TC-K61 is still under repair (just got in the 2.5mm bearing I needed) and another unit is on the desk behind me (not in pic) and the last unit is at home on the workbench....

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p141/Scorpion008/HPIM0633.jpg

Decks are from left, top TC-K71 and bottom TC-K44. Right hand side is top to bottom TC-K61 (fubar), TC-K61 works, and TC-K81 at the bottom.

Fast Forward

06-30-2009, 03:04 PM

maybe I,m nuts but Doesn,t Silver Faced Audio gear seem more Sexy Than there black counter parts

Scorpion8

06-30-2009, 06:35 PM

maybe I,m nuts but Doesn,t Silver Faced Audio gear seem more Sexy Than there black counter parts

Very much so! Agree whole-heartedly ....

Scorpion8

06-30-2009, 09:15 PM

Did a test recording on the TC-K81. It biased and set a level on a Sony UX-Pro tape to perfection. Dialed it right in. The recording sounded flawless, and like the day the deck was born. Ah, it's like true love ......

Crucie

06-30-2009, 09:35 PM

wow thats simply SSSS !!!!!! super sweet stack 'o sony :) really nice collection there scorp :)

Scorpion8

09-02-2009, 06:23 PM

Yup, me again. Just got in a 3rd TC-K61. Dang, I need to see a head shrink bad. Anyway, these are very nice 2-head decks with great sound. This one was listed as "FFWs and REV's but doesn't play". Since they are gear-drive mechanisms instead of idler tires, I'm think (w/o opening it) belts for the capstan. If not, it was cheap and I have a parts deck for my other two TC-K61's (one of which sits next to me as we type in the man-cave stack).

VintageSteve

09-02-2009, 11:53 PM

Scorp, you got it bad! I love the wall of sound!! Silver Sony sure does look and sound sweet! Maybe you should join SA: Sony-holics Anonymous?*el_loco*

Scorpion8

09-03-2009, 07:51 AM

Maybe you should join SA: Sony-holics Anonymous?*el_loco*

Hello. My name is Jim, and I have a problem ..... *yes*

close652

09-03-2009, 01:15 PM

Congrats! *reelspin**reelspin*

Scorpion8

09-03-2009, 01:22 PM

Congrats! *reelspin**reelspin*

So far this one plays nice, but has an issue in REC mode. So something to play with.

Hey Istvan, you have a PM coming.

flpioneernut

09-04-2009, 07:16 AM

I just received my Sony TC-K81 the other day, complete with faux "wood" panels (big reason I got this particular one). I agree with all, that this is a nice deck. Stuck a commercial pre-recorded tape in it and it played it fine. I noticed after I took the tape out, that the pad had fallen off. Even without the pad, the cassette player played the tape as if it had the pad on. I have other cassette decks that couldn't do that, although to be fair, those that didn't, did not have the dual capstan drive that this deck has. I am impressed. I love the LED meters. And it's styling is nice. Even though the wood side panels are covered with vinyl veneer, they still add to the looks. I have yet to remove the cover and look inside.

Only flaw that bothers me so far, is that the display is too small, considering it packs so much info on it. It's not as if there wasn't more space the designers could have utilized to increase the size of the display. Oh, and too bad this deck came out before Dolby C and Dolby HX.

Scorpion8

09-04-2009, 07:43 AM

I just received my Sony TC-K81 the other day, ....

Awesome! Great decks. My #1 Recording deck, especially with some Sony UX-Pro being fed to it ....

close652

09-04-2009, 09:11 AM

"wood panels"? Pic please!
I do not miss Dolby C with my K81, it sounds fine or better without NR.

Web Police

09-04-2009, 09:51 AM

I'd like to see a picture of the deck with wood side panels also. *thumbsup*

flpioneernut

09-04-2009, 01:30 PM

Sheesh. Didn't know the faux "wood" panels would be so popular. Here are some pictures, but they don't show great detail.

Oh, and close652, you may be right about Dolby C, but you don't know what you are missing without Dolby HX. That upgrade is the ultimate. Before Dolby S.

Scorpion8

09-04-2009, 01:37 PM

Sheesh. Didn't know the faux "wood" panels would be so popular.....

Not real popular, but gives many of us an idea if we want to make real wood side panels (medium oak is my favorite!) and if the "look" justifies it. Thanks!

flpioneernut

09-04-2009, 01:56 PM

If you have the tools, and the wood, the look of wood panels, be they the faux kind like my Sony's has, or the real deal, is alway justified.

Web Police

09-04-2009, 02:49 PM

Sheesh. Didn't know the faux "wood" panels would be so popular.

For me they are usually a make or break decision why it comes to buying gear. *grin*

Scorpion8

02-26-2010, 07:58 AM

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p141/Scorpion008/SonyCassetteDeckBrochure4-801.jpg

As promised. the Sony 1980 Line-up. You've all seen my TC-K81 (also pictured above), but here's 4/5th's of the rest of the lineup.

Bottom to top, in order:

Sony TC-K44 (2 head deck)
Sony TC-K61 (2 head deck)
Sony TC-K65 (2 head deck)
Sony TC-K71 (3 head deck)

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p141/Scorpion008/HPIM0937.jpg

And Sony TC-K81

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p141/Scorpion008/HPIM0939.jpg

The only one not in my collection is the Sony TC-K22, an even more basic, budget deck than the -K44 but used needle-type VU meters instead of LED bars, and the TC-K77R (the auto-reversing deck).

Long ago I uploaded the 1980 Cassette deck line-up brochure to HiFi Engine and Njord's database if anyone wants to see (like me) a grab-back from the past!

Enjoy!

Acoustic

02-26-2010, 09:27 AM

Very nice looking collection you got there Jim! *Hi5*

Naknut

02-26-2010, 10:57 AM

I love the silver stuff, I wish they had kept silver as an option for later generation decks. Great collection!*Hi5*

Mignun67

02-26-2010, 12:33 PM

Scorpion8

02-26-2010, 01:53 PM

Cool stack Scorp! I have been prevaricating on pulling the trigger on a nice looking TC-K81 on UK eBay (Do I really need another deck etc...) so I went to take another look at it this evening and lo, and behold, there's this that has just been listed...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sony-TC-K77R-Cassette-Deck_W0QQitemZ290407514910QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CE _Cassette_RL?hash=item439da3031e

Sadly it will be UK 230V and it's a fair hike for you to collect...

Yea, like "I" need another deck too.... I passed on a TC-K22 on eBay because it's the BOTL and I just wasn't going to spend money to have one for no reason except "the collection".

But trust me, you want that TC-K81!