Sony TC-510-2

Data

General

Manufacturer:	Sony
Model:	TC 510-2 (in Japan listed as model TC-5550-2)
Years of manufacture:	1975 - 1979+
Manufactured in:	Japan
Colour:	dark silver-grey/silver
Remote control:	no
Power consumption:	max. 25 W
dimensions:	33.3 x 29.6 x 13.6 cm (W x D x H)
Weight:	6.8 kg (incl. batteries)
former new price:	approx. 2.200,- to 2498,- DM (up to 1.250,- EUR)

Connections

• Number of inputs:
  • 2 x MIC (jack 6.3 mm): 0.2 mV (-72 dB) low impedance, unbalanced.
  • 2 x Line (Cinch): 60 mV (-22 dB), 100 kΩ
• Number of outputs:
  • 2 x line (RCA): 0.435 V (-5 dB) at 100 kΩ

1 x headphones (jack 6.3 mm): 8 Ω

Technical Data

• max. reel diameter: 13 cm or 5" (corresponds to 45 min. recording time at 9.5 cm/s).
• Drive: 1 DC Capstan motor, servo controlled.
• Heads: 3 ferrite heads (SYM PHASE)
• Tracks: 2 (stereo)
• Tape speeds: 9.5 and 19 cm/s
• Slip: N/A.
• Synchronization fluctuations: ± 0.08 % (19 cm/s) and ± 0.12 % (9.5 cm/s) respectively.
• Pitch fluctuations according to DIN: at 19 cm/s: ± 0,05 %, at 9,5 cm/s: 0,08 %
• Overall frequency response: at 19 cm/s: 30-20000 (normal band), 30-25000 Hz (SLH), 30-27000 Hz (FeCr),
• Signal-to-noise ratio: with low-noise band: 64 dB (DIN), 61 (NAB) - with FeCr band: 60 dB (DIN), 64 (NAB)
• Total harmonic distortion (THD): 0.8 % (0 dB, 19 cm/s, FeCr)
• Equalization: NAB
• Crosstalk attenuation: n.a.
• Cancellation attenuation: n.a.
• Premagnetization and extinction frequency: 160 kHz

Note: SYM PHASE assures a vertical match of the head gap (apparently not a given for all ferrite heads at the time). This ensures a correct phase relationship between the channels even on other playback machines.

Special features

• "battery pack" with 8 size D batteries (mono cells) (standard).
• Special "accu pack" (DP-55, NiCd) adapted to the case (optional, see note).
• Special mains adapter AC-26 for stationary operation (12 V, 400 mA, replaces the battery or accu pack) (optional, see note)
• Alternatively, the TC-510-2 can also be operated with an external mains adapter (12 V=).
• Battery charger for insertion of power supply and accu pack
• DC-DC converter to stabilize operation with all power supplies
• Bias (BIAS) switchable (low-normal-high)
• EQ switchable (normal-special-FeCr)
• switchable recording limiter to avoid overloads
• separate recording and playback amplifiers. This allows for backband control
• The recording tracks can be monitored individually (L, R, L+R = mono/speaker), L+R = stereo/headphone)). The track selection has no influence on the line output.
• Speed Tuning ± 10% at 19 cm/s (one semitone)
• carrying strap or shoulder strap (standard)
• sturdy carrying bag LC-30 (blue canvas) (optional)
• ECM-99A or ECM-990 electret stereo microphone (optional).

Notes: The switching of BIAS and EQ was already done electronically and not mechanically. - Some of the equipment declared as optional here was later included in the "set".

Remarks

The TC 510-2 is outwardly not dissimilar to a Nagra IV or a Nagra E. However, Sony did not achieve the robust and studio-like quality standard of those models or a Stellavox with this unit. The mechanical drive control with a rotary knob and plastic parts remained a weak point of the machine. Too much force should not be exerted here.

• The fast rewinding always produces unclean and loose windings because of a too low tape tension.

The tape guide is imperfect. It does not prevent the tape from bouncing at the heads and the resulting phase differences between the stereo channels if the tape windings are not clean. This can be avoided by ensuring that the left side of the tape is always wound tightly and cleanly. This is achieved by rewinding the tape on a suitable other machine.

The electrical values of the machine are very good. With FeCr tape, the frequency response exceeds that of the comparative models mentioned. The dynamic range is also at the limit of what is possible. On the glass ferrite tone heads, abrasion is hard to detect. They are extremely durable. Accordingly, there is no deterioration of the measured values even after many years of intensive use.

The machine has rarity value and is very sought after by enthusiasts and collectors also because of its professional Nagra look (see below).

Other models of the same series:

The hi-fi model TC 510-2 was replaced around 1980 by the more professional model APR-2003 of the same design. It had a black "pro look", an improved synchronisation due to a quartz control, a central sync track for pilot tone or time code (with external quartz or time code generators), balanced microphone inputs with XLR connectors and phantom power. A pitch control was omitted. A switchable low-cut filter replaced the line/mic switch of the TC 510-2, but for the reasons mentioned above, the APR-2003 did not yet reach Nagra quality.

Pictures

• Excerpt from brochure: Sony TC-510-2

Reviews

Test reports:

• Funkschau 1976, issue 26, pages 57-62, title: "TC-510-2 - a portable tape recorder with special features" (detailed description of some electronic components).
• Fonoforum 1977, issue 10, title: "Nagra E vs. Sony TC 510-2" [[1] (link no longer current, new link unknown)]
• HiFi Stereophonie issue 2/77, pages 224-230.
• HiFi Stereophony Test Yearbook '77/78

Time value information:

• After a very long time, a TC 510-2 was once again offered on ebay in February 2011. It was in a very good condition, but without battery compartment and transport bag. Included was a simple electret stereo microphone (Sony F-99 A). With a starting price of only one euro, 18 interested parties with 36 bids finally reached a selling price of 735 EUR. Apparently it did not come to a sales conclusion, because the same device was offered again on 18.03.. With 18 bidders and 30 bids, it now only achieved a sales price of EUR 505. For comparison: A "UHER 4200 REPORT Monitor", which is also in very good condition and roughly corresponds to a TC 510-2, fetched only 202.55 EUR almost at the same time. Both devices are very rare.
• In October 2011, another TC 510-2 was offered and sold on ebay. Its state of preservation was far from that of the above unit (very obvious signs of use, a scratched lid without locking mechanism, no original power supply, no carrying case). A copy of the service manual was included. Nevertheless, it achieved an auction price of 595 EUR with 21 bidders and 28 bids.
• In December 2011, another TC-510-2 was offered on ebay. This machine should have been in good and working condition. About the auction result is not known.

Links

• History and pictures [[2]]
• Pictures and prices [[3]]
• Pictures [[4]]
• Bilder [[5]]
• Service documents (pdf, engl.): [[6]]
• APR-2003 pictures: [[7]]
• APR-2003 brochure (pdf, engl.): [[8]]
• APR-2003 service documents (pdf, engl.): [[9]]