Technical Details
Brand: Sony
Model:TC-399
Category:Vintage
Application:Consumer
Electronics:Solid State
Equalization:NAB
Country of Manufacture:Japan
Release dates:1978 - 1983
Tracks:1/4 Rec/PB
Speeds: 1 7/8, 3 3/4, 7 1/2
Max Reel Size("): 7"
Number of heads: 3
Dimension: 16½ × 7½ × 17¼ " (415 × 190 × 435mm)
Head Composition: Ferrite
Head Configuration: Stereo
# Motors: 1
Auto Reverse?:No
Voltage(s): 110-120v
Outputs: RCA
Frequency Response:(± 3dB): 7½ ips: 30Hz - 18kHz 3¾ ips: 30Hz - 15kHz Fe Cr tape: 7½ ips: 30Hz - 25kHz 3¾ ips: 30Hz - 18kHz
Wow and Flutter:06% at 7½ ips, .09% at 3¾ ips
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:58 db with SLH tape, 55 db with standard
Sound quality rating:6 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 7/ 10
Weight: 28.5 lbs (12.9 kg)
Additional Details
Description
The TC -399 was the successor to the popular TC-377. Like its predecessor, the 399 sported three heads, a single motor and a black front panel.
But as one would expect, five years down the track, the 399’s specifications were a little better than its predecessor (0.06% wow & flutter at 7½ ips as compared to 0.09%), although the ferrite & ferrite heads gave almost an identical frequency response.
Separate concentric L & R mic and line controls allowed input mixing and bias and eq switching were provided for selecting either normal or special SLH tape.
Additional Info
Price when new (in the UK)
£245. 00 (Popular Hi Fi March 81)
Heads
three: erase, record and playback ferrite )
Motors
single
Tape speeds
7½ , 3¾ and 1 7/8 ips
Frequency response (± 3dB)
Normal tape:
7½ ips: 30Hz – 18kHz
3¾ ips: 30Hz – 15kHz
Fe Cr tape:
7½ ips: 30Hz – 25kHz
3¾ ips: 30Hz – 18kHz
Wow & flutter
less than 0.06% at 7½ ips, 0.09% at 3¾ ips and 0.12% at 1 7/8 ips
Signal to noise ratio
58 db with SLH tape, 55 db with standard
Rewind speed
approx. 120 seconds with 370 meter tape (1200ft)
Harmonic distortion
0.8%
Bias frequency 160kHz
Inputs
mic: sensitivity 0.25mV (-70dB) for low impedance microphone
line: sensitivity 77.5mV (-20dB) input impedance 100 kΩ
Rec/PB DIN: input impedance less than 10 kΩ
Outputs
line: level 0.435V (-5dB) at load impedance of 100kΩ
(PB level set to centre-detente position) 0.775V (0dB) PB level set to “10”
headphone: 8Ω (38.8mV) (PB set to centre-detente position)