MEGA Recorder - SONY TC 530 Stereo Reel to Reel Tape Recorder

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This video explores the SONY TC 530 vintage 7-inch stereophonic reel to reel tape recorder. It was originally sold in 1967. This tape recorder appears to have been well made, built to last (it still works after 42 years!) and is typical of SONY's 1960's excellent quality. It has very good stereo separation and for some reason, SONY labeled it on the head cover, 'sterecorder'.

The vintage reel to reel stereo tape recorder has some unique features, including a retractable pinch roller for easy tape threading, a four speaker system (two bass speakers mounted in the cabinet, two satellite speakers that make up the lid), independent left and right record controls, and a true Bass/Treble amplifier circuit. Although only a two head, single motor machine, it has three speeds, remarkably low wow and flutter (less than .10% @ 7 ½ ips amazing for a time when most machines only achieved a .25% rating) and room filling 'warm' sound that is so nostalgic in today's audio world.

The tape recorder came DOA from E-Bay (the seller was selling it for parts) and had some serious mechanical and electrical problems. The left channel amplifier was 'blown'. It was restored by John Costas of Medford Electronics (Massachusetts).

Medford Electronics will repair the electronics of a machine shipped to them for a reasonable cost.

Contact Medford Electronics at: http://www.medfordtvandelectronics.com if you have a machine in need of some help!

Thanks to John, and the mechanical reconstruction I performed on the SONY TC 530 stereo reel to reel tape recorder, it is now in almost perfect condition, and the sound is extremely 'present' and a pleasure to hear. This tape recorder was built when SONY was making remarkably fine tape recorders and it is a tribute to SONY engineering that this reel to reel tape recorder has lasted this long, and still works so well.

We hope you enjoy this video exploring this vintage reel to reel tape recorder that is now part of the ClydeSight Collection!

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Copyright Disclaimer:

This is an educational video, a critique, and report on an historic piece of vintage audio electronic equipment that is no longer manufactured or sold in stores. It is covered by the Fair Use Section of U.S. Copyright Law:

"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

The opening and closing music featured in this video is a performance of a fanfare produced as a part of a demo tape for the SONY TC 530 tape recorder and the vintage recording came with the machine. It is used for demonstration purposes ONLY.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• clydesight
• vintage
• reel
• to
• tape
• recorder
• SONY
• TC
• 530
• stereo
• sterecorder
• Abundance
• Genie

[chipshot4455]

Great vid! I have my parents and it works except the further it gets along a tape it gets slower and slower. Starts fine then gets "weak" and finally stops. Easy fix? Perhaps I'll contact Medford. Thanks!

[clydesight]

@chipshot4455 Thanks for your comment on the SONY TC 530. If the machine is slowing down at the end of the tape there are two possibilities I can think of right away. 1. The main drive idler has lost its "tack". You can get some of that back by removing it and soaking it for 5 minutes in CLR, then washing it off with dish washing soap and a good rinse. 2. The pinch roller carry arm is gummed up with the grease they used so it doesn't make strong contact with the capstan, (more...)

[clydesight]

@clydesight (more...) This is a major fix because you have to take the whole assembly apart and free them and re-grease them. Mefford doesn't do this type of work, but send me a PM, Perhaps I can help you out. The TC530 is a fantastic machine and worth keeping in great shape.

[reelfanobsession]

wonderfull presentation. thank you for sharing this lovely machine i have a sony 540, i believe its the same spec as this on you have but the trim is slightly different. brushed silver aluminium finish and the speakers that form the lid are silver fronted too. very good sound and build quality. good old sony.

[clydesight]

@reelfanobsession Thanks for your kind comment about my Sony TC 530 recorder! This was a very successful design for SONY, so they made several models based on it with different numbers, to appeal to different visual tastes. When SONY hit a home run, like this, they knocked the ball out of the park!

[jasonmit]

I just picked one up at our local Goodwill for $15. It came with two microphones, all the accessories and it's is good condition and in good working order. It has bit of a hum though...don't know if that's normal or not. Just wish I had tape so I can play around with it. Great video. Very informing.

[clydesight]

@jasonmit Thanks for your comment. It seems that there are lots of these machines still around and working! There should be no hum from the amplifier except a very slight one if you crank the volume all the way up.

You can get old vintage music tapes on E-Bay sometimes for very reasonable prices. Just search for 7" reel tape. Or pre-recorded reel tape. You can also get empty reels on E-Bay.

Good luck.

[reelfanobsession]

sure did, excellant products.

[93smittyson]

good video! so say I wanted to record my guitar into this machine. Would i just put the microphone, which would be hooked up to the reel to reel, up to my amp press record and play?

[clydesight]

@grumblepus Cool! You are very welcome!