SONY TC-K555ES

Commentary

This cassette deck is the core of the ES series, which aims at 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.
The amorphous state of a laser amorphous head is essentially an amorphous state that does not have a specific crystal structure. By making a magnetic material into an amorphous state, it is possible to take advantage of the magnetic properties of the material atoms, so that a magnetic alloy with high magnetic flux density and excellent magnetic linearity can be obtained.
By using this amorphous magnetic alloy in the core of the magnetic head and applying laser processing technology, we are developing a laser amorphous recording and playback head.

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.
The tape is held between two pairs of capstan and pinch rollers positioned at the center of the head to stabilize the movement of the tape in the vicinity of the head. The vibration of the tape transmitted from the reel and improves wow and flutter characteristics. The distance for suppressing the tape is shortened to suppress the vibration of the tape and eliminate modulation. By utilizing the tape tension between the two capstan, a stable head touch can be obtained at all times. In addition, the specification characteristics are improved and the modulation noise harmful to the hearing sense is greatly reduced.

The capstan drive motor uses a linear BSL motor with a simple structure that eliminates the slot and brush that cause 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.

Equipped with Dolby NF C type that reduces hissing.
Compared to the conventional B-type, it achieves a noise reduction effect of 20 dB, which is approximately three times higher in the high frequency band of 5 kHz, and reduces the hissing to 1/10 of that in the OFF state.
It also has a Dolby B type and can be used for recorded tapes.

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. At the same time, it uses a DC amplifier configuration.
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.

Continuous absence recording and alarm clock playback are possible by using the separately sold timer.

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.

By using RM-65 (sold separately), it is possible to play synchronized recording with Sony's player with remote control terminal and playback deck PB5.

Model Rating

Type	Stereo cassette deck
Heads	Playhead : 1 Laser Amorphous Head Recording Head : 1 Laser Amorphous Head Erase Head : 1 F & F Head
Motor	For Capstan : 1 Linear BSL Motor For Reel : 1 DC Motor
Signal-to-noise ratio	Dolby off : 56 dB (EIAJ, peak level, metal tape) Dolby C:73dB
Frequency characteristic	25 Hz ~ 18 kHz ± 3 dB (EIAJ, Metal Tape)
Frequency range	20 Hz ~ 19 kHz (EIAJ, metal tape)
Wow & flutter (EIAJ)	± 0.06% Wpeak 0.04%WRMS
Distortion factor	0.5% (EIAJ, DUAD cassette)
Input terminal	Line in, remote control
Output terminal	Line out, headphones
Power supply voltage	100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz
Power consumption	22W
External dimensions	Width 430x Height 105x Depth 285 mm
Weight	6.1kg
Attachment	2 stereo connection code Head cleaning rod
Sold Separately	Wireless Remote Control RM-80 (¥ 18,000) Wired Remote Controller RM-50 (¥ 6,000) Foot Remote Controller RM-51 (¥ 8,800) Synchro Remote Control Unit RM-65 (¥ 3,000)