Sony TC-K501R
cassettedeck
Sony TC-K501R cassettedeck
The TC-K501R is one of the rare auto-reverse cassettedecks with BIAS calibration that Sony has made. Usually a BIAS calibration is only found on 3 head cassettedecks. Three heads allow tape monitor, which makes it easy to implement a calibration feature.
Because the auto-reverse feature does not leave much room for more than two heads, a real tape monitor feature is out of the question. This means that all 'professional' 3 head cassettedecks have to do without auto-reverse. The TC-K501R tries to fill this gap by offering a BIAS calibration feature on an auto-reverse cassettedeck. There are only a few of these auto-reverse cassettedecks with BIAS calibration. Later Sony created the TC-R503ES which is very similar to the TC-K501R. The fact that that is called 'ES' indicates Sony's attempt to create a 'professional' quality auto-reverse cassettedeck. In my collection I also have the TC-RX80ES (auto-reverse, automatic BIAS calibration and a spectrum analyzer) and the magnificent Akai GX-R99. |
The TC-K501R was introduced in 1985. It has lots of heritage from some of the ES cassettedecks like the TC-K666ES. It has the same brown metal face plate and has many similar knobs and buttons. It has no resemblance with other cassettedecks introduced at the same time like the TC-FX520R. Although this provides auto-reverse and many of the same features too, its face plate is from plastic. The TC-K501R really stood out from the normal range of cassettedecks. |
The feather touch controls are fully logic offering auto play in both directions. The direction can be set to one side, reverse once or reverse contineously. It includes REC MUTE to record pauzes between songs. The TAPE OPR button allows you to select AMS / blank skip or Music scan. The linear counter provides real time information and a memory function. The 24 segments FL-display provides a real detailed VU meter with peak hold. The cassette tray contains lights that indicate the current direction.
The TC-K501R provides Dolby B and C and has a MPX filter. It has a automatic tape selector that recognizes type I, II and IV tapes. A sticker at the back mentions that the music sensor system is licensed from Staar S.A. in Belgium. At the back you'll find the normal line in and out, plus a four pin control-S in/out and a four pin SYNC for synchronzation with a record player. |