Sony - TC-K 81 / RM 50 Cassette recorder-player

Sony cassette deck set TC K 81 / RM 50 with accessories , remote control and original packaging
Exclusively on CATAWIKI
In excellent condition, almost like new.

Specifications
Type: 3-head, single compact cassette deck
Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
Tape Speed: 4.8 cm/s
Heads: 1 × combination record/playback, 1 × erase
Tape Type: type I, FeCr, CrO2, Metal
Noise Reduction: B
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz (Metal tape)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 65dB (dolby B)
Wow and Flutter: 0.04%
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.8%
77.5 mV (line), 0.25 mV (mic)
Output: 0.435V (line)
Dimensions: 430 x 130 x 290mm
Weight: 7 kg
Year: 1980

In 1979, Sony radically refreshed its range. The flagship of this new range was the TC-K81, whose aesthetics were radically different from those of the brand's previous high-end models.
So here is a new, more compact product, measuring 430 x 130 x 290 mm and weighing 7 kg, featuring three heads, a dual-capstan drive, and a sophisticated LED VU meter with peak-hold function – and much more…
At the heart of the TC-K81 lay a miniature version of Sony's direct-drive motor (BSL - Brushless and SlotLess), driving the flywheel by a rubber flat belt. A high-quality component, delivering remarkable smoothness and quietness. The TC-K81 was also equipped with Sony's new Sendust & Ferrite heads, completely independent for recording and playback, yet aligned with each other to avoid azimuth errors.
The excellent tape-calibration system, activated by the 'Cal' button, worked in concert with the LED level indicators for precise adjustment of the recording level and bias.
Another major plus: compatibility with metal tapes. This model had arrived barely a year before the launch of Sony's tape recorder; it was therefore a preliminary version, but of flawless design. The new Sendust and ferrite heads of the TC-K81 allowed recording at higher levels than the ferrite heads fitted to previous models, while resisting the increased abrasion inherent to this new tape formulation. Thanks to a Sendust core integrated into a ferrite protective block, the recording/playback heads of my unit work as well today as when they left the factory forty years ago.

An astute eye could notice the exceptional recording quality of this machine, simply by observing the meter readings. At that time, most Japanese manufacturers set the Dolby reference level—an absolute signal level referenced to a calibrated reference tape—at around +3 dB. Sony, by contrast, had set it to -2 dB on the TC-K81, thereby proving that the tape recorder possessed a dynamic range far greater than that of most cassette decks. Capable of recording at a level well above the Dolby reference level without distortion, this impressive technical feat ensured recordings of remarkable quality.
For its era, its performance was outstanding: few turntables could do better, regardless of price. The advertised frequency response was 20 Hz to 20 kHz with a type IV (metal) band; with a type I (ferric) band, it reached a very respectable 20 Hz to 16 kHz. The signal-to-noise ratio was 65 dB (with Dolby B enabled) and wow and flutter were rated at 0.04%.


Bonus included with:
A mini HQ headset with a 3M extension, a cleaning cassette, accessories, and documentation.
View photos

The utmost care is taken with the oversized packaging of the set to ensure safe international shipping.
An additional insurance is subscribed to during shipment, with detailed tracking.