SONY EL-5
¥ 128,000 (released in 1976)
Commentary
This is a standard L-cassette deck that pursues both performance and function.
It adopts a logical control system using a dedicated circuit and an electromagnetic solenoid, and the transmission mechanism that tends to be complicated in a 1-motor machine is replaced electronically to simplify it.
Also, the operation buttons are feather touch.
Mechanical tension regulator has been adopted to improve running accuracy.
It is equipped with a scrape filter that absorbs tape vibration and shortens the vibration span, and drives modulation noise out of the audible band.
The head uses a solid-core all-ferrite F & F head that uses a single non-layered ferrite plate not only for the core part but also for the guard part. As a result, the phase and frequency characteristics are improved with less possibility of offset or gap deviation.
We have also improved the S / N ratio, frequency characteristics, and distortion factor by adopting a direct coupling method that directly connects the F & F head and the reproducing amplifier using FET.
The motor is equipped with a frequency servo motor with FG.
Servocontrol is performed by directly connecting an FG (frequency-generator) to the rotating shaft of the motor and detecting the rotational speed deviation based on the generated frequency change. This structure makes it less susceptible to electrical fluctuations in the circuit. Even if the voltage fluctuates due to temperature rises, the oscillation frequency hardly changes and the rotational speed remains stable.
Equipped with Dolby NR.
Equipped with an MPX filter switch that cuts off unnecessary pilot signals during air check.
Equipped with a memory stop play mechanism that stops at rewind 999 and plays automatically.
Equipped with a 3-step switching tape selector independent of bias and equalizer.
The wired remote control (sold separately) allows remote operation and Rec-Mute.
By using the separately sold timer, continuous absence recording and alarm clock playback are possible.
Follow-up recording is possible.
The line and microphone can be mixed.
It has a front-line-in jack that takes priority over the rear panel input.
Equipped with photoelectric detection type auto shut-off mechanism.
Equipped with an independent headphone volume.
Equipped with safety lock mechanism.
Soft eject is possible.
Model Rating
| Type | El Cassette Deck |
| Track format | 4-track 2-channel |
| Tape Speed | 9.5cm/s |
| Bias frequency | 160kHz |
| Recording time | Round trip 60 minutes (by LC-60) |
| Head Used | Erase Head : 1 Recording / Reproducing F & F Head : 1 |
| Motor used | Frequency control servo motor with FG |
| Shutoff Format | Auto-shutoff mechanism |
| Fast forward and rewind time | 75 seconds (on LC-60) |
| Frequency characteristic | 25 Hz ~ 20 kHz ± 3 dB (Type-II, DUAD Tape) 15 Hz ~ 25 kHz (Type-II, DUAD Tape) |
| S/N ratio (315 Hz, peak) | 59 dB (Type-I, SLH tape) 62 dB (Type-II, DUAD tape) |
| Wow and flutter | 0.06%wrms |
| Distortion factor | 0.8% (Type-II tape) |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance | Microphone : 0.3 mv (-68dB) / LowImp Line in : 0.095 V (-18dB) / 100k Ω Line in (front) : 0.095 v (-18dB) / 10k Ω |
| Output Level / Impedance | Line out (max) : 0.775 V (at 100k Ω load) / 10k Ω or more Headphones : load 8 Ω - 32 Ω |
| Semiconductor used | Transistor : 82 FET : 2 IC : 4 Diode : 60 LED : 1 |
| AC outlet | Interlock : 2 systems, 200W Non-linked : 1 system, 300W |
| Power supply voltage | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 33W |
| External dimensions | Width 430x Height 170x Depth 320 mm |
| Weight | 10.5kg |
| Attachment | Connection code Head Cleaning Rod 1 Type Tape driver |
| Sold Separately | Wired Remote Controller RM-30 (¥ 9,800) |