Sony TC-FX7

June
1 9 8 0 june 1980
1 9 8 2 1982

Knowing Sony's previous engineering feats in the tape-recorder field (from the TC-D5, to the TCM-100, pro RtR or... video), the TC-FX7 wasn't all that impressive, even if... impressive.

Slim as can be, only a centimeter and some hairs taller than a cassette itself, thanks to its miniature S&F head fixed directly onto the REC/PB circuit board.

The motor is Sony's staple Quartz-locked BSL (brushless, slotless linear torque) centered on two samarium-cobalt magnets and mounted directly on the Quartz-locked drive capstan.
Feather-touch pads and a digital counter with memory add convenience and precision ; the B Dolby noise-reduction is done through Sony's own Dolby chips - of course.

Adding Dolby C and a third head would probably have made, then, the TC-FX7 more palatable to high-enders :-) But an optional RM-80 IR remote or RM-50 / RM-65 combo could make up for some of that - discretion and convenience !

The FX7 was built at the Sony Tsukuba factory (Sony TB).

I have the pleasure of owning a TC-FX7 which I use in alternance with my TC-K88B. And a TC-FX1010. And a TC-20F. And a TC-100A.

Sony TC-FX7, image 1 Sony TC-FX7, image 2 Sony TC-FX7, image 3
Sony TC-FX7 specifications
Title Value
Heads : 2x S&F
Motors : 1x BSL direct-drive for capstan
1x Servo high-torque reel spooling
Wow & flutter : 0,05% (WRMS)
± 0,12% (DIN-45507)
FF time : 80s (C60)
Frequency response : 30Hz...17Khz (Type IV ; ±3dB ; -20dB ref level)
30Hz...17Khz (Type III ; ±3dB ; -20dB ref level)
30Hz...16Khz (Type II ; ±3dB ; -20dB ref level)
30Hz...15Khz (Type I ; ±3dB ; -20dB ref level)
30Hz...13Khz (Type IV ; ±3dB ; -0dB ref level)
S/N ratio : 59dB (Type IV ; 3% THD ; Dolby off, peak weighted)
59dB (Type III ; 3% THD ; Dolby off, peak weighted)
57dB (Type II ; 3% THD ; Dolby off, peak weighted)
THD : 0,9% 59dB (Type IV ; 1Khz ; 0dB ref level)
0,9% 59dB (Type III ; 1Khz ; 0dB ref level)
Crosstalk : 60dB (1Khz)
Stereo separation : 35dB (1Khz)
Inputs : 2x line (-20dB / 77,5mV / 50kOhm)
2x MIC (-70dB / 0,25mV)
Outputs : 2x line (-5dB / 435mV / 10kOhm)
1x headphones (-26dB / 38mV / 8 Ohm)
PC : 35W
Dimensions : 43 x 8 x 34cm
Weight : 6,5kg.
Listprice : 79,800¥ (1980)
page online since : may 2006
page updated : march 2011
page type : LGT / KNB
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