Technical Details
Brand: Sony
Model:TC-440
Category:Vintage
Application:Consumer
Electronics:Solid State
Equalization:NAB
Country of Manufacture:Japan
Release dates:1971 - 1975
Original Price: $369.95
Tracks:1/4 Rec/PB
Speeds: 1 7/8, 3 3/4, 7 1/2
Max Reel Size("): 7"
Number of heads: 3
Dimension: 16.5 x 8.5 x 16.1" (420 x 215 x 410mm)
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: Stereo
# Motors: 1
Voltage(s): 110-120v, 220-240v
Outputs: RCA
Frequency Response:( 3dB): Normal tape Special tape 7½ ips: 30Hz - 20kHz 30Hz - 25kHz 3¾ ips: 20Hz - 17kHz 20Hz - 23kHz 1 ips: 30Hz - 9kHz
Wow and Flutter:less than 0.06% at 7½ ips. 0.1% at 3¾ ips. 0.2% at 1 ips
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:53dB (normal tape), better than 56dB (special tape)
Sound quality rating:5 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 5/ 10
Weight: 27.1 lbs (12.3 kg)
Additional Details
Description
For its time, this was an advanced stereo tape deck with full auto-reverse. Sony’s unique new “Roto
Bilateral” record and playback heads revolved 180 degrees to permit recording, monitoring and playback in both directions. This, in effect gave the deck a ‘6-head function’.
Auto-reverse was enabled by means of sensing foils on the tape ends.
A single AC servo controlled motor with closed-loop, dual-capstan drive gave extremely low wow and flutter figures.
Other features included:
Automatic total-mechanism shut-off, built-in sound-on-sound and echo, electrical speed change, mic/line mixing, record equalization selector switch, FET amplifier, stereo headphone jack, servo-controlled back tension, ultra-high frequency bias, two VU meters, four-digit tape counter, vertical
or horizontal operation, non-magnetizing record head, automatic tape lifters, tape/source monitor, no pressure pads. and built-in reel locks.
Additional Info
Price when new (in the UK) £172.80 – $369.95 in the USA
Heads
Four: (2 erase, one Roto Bilateral record and Roto Bilateral playback)
Motors
One, servo controlled
Tape speeds
1 7/8, 3¾ and 7½ ips
Frequency response ( 3dB)
Normal tape / Special tape
7½ ips:
30Hz – 20kHz, 30Hz – 25kHz
3¾ ips:
20Hz – 17kHz, 20Hz – 23kHz
1 7/8 ips:
30Hz – 9kHz
Wow & flutter
less than 0.06% at 7½ ips; 0.1% at 3¾ ips; 0.2% at 1 7/8 ips
Rewind speed
2 minutes 50 seconds for 1800 ft
Hum and noise
better than 53dB (normal tape), better than 56dB (special tape)
Harmonic distortion
less than 1.2% at normal recording level
Semi-conductors
27 transistors, 2 FETs. 1 IC and 11 diodes
Inputs
microphone: 600ohm 0.19mV; aux: 100kohm 0.06V
Outputs
line (100k or more) – output (0dB) 0.775V; headphone 8 ohm (30mV)