Sony TC-788-4 Vintage 4 track Reel to Reel Recorder Dual Capstan

 SONY TC-788-4 VINTAGE REEL TO REEL TAPE DECK AND RECORDER, RARE!

Rare Sony TC-788-44-channel Reel to Reel tape deck in good condition. Everything appears to work properly when turned on including lamps, meters, and capstans. Original Sony AC power cord included.  Selling "as is" given due to my inexperience with this particular unit.

There are some minor scuffs on edges of wood panels and slight wear/weathering on front surface.

I am including 2 used AKAI1100M Low-Noise, High-Output Tapes, in their original boxes.  

This is a very unique reel to reel unit that produces beautiful sound! Hoping to unite it with its perfect home where it can be used in production to capture the clarity and joy of music once more!

Details:

At around $US 1595, the TC-788-4 Quadradial was one of the most expensive tape decks Sony ever produced.  It offered two speeds – 15 and 7½ , three heads, 10½ ” reel capacity, four- track four-channel recording, playback operation, and an AC servo controlled capstan drive motor which provided constant speed regardless of voltage and load changes.
A closed loop dual capstan tape drive system assured positive tape to head contact and helped to isolated external vibration.  Logic controlled function buttons gave feather touch direct transport switching from any mode to another mode without having to stop the tape first.
A synchro track facility allowed synchronized recording of new tracks with previously recorded tracks and there was provisions for timer controlled recording or playback.  Separate tape equalization and bias selector switches were provided to optimize the characteristics of any tape and a PAN POT facility enabled back to front channel mixing, especially useful for multi mic stereo recordings.

ADDITIONAL INFO

Price when new (in the USA) $1595
Track system
4 track 4 channel stereo recording and playback, 4 track 2 channel stereo, 4track mono
Heads
Three; erase, record and playback
Motors
AC servo-controlled capstan motor, two 8 pole induction reel motors
Maximum reel size
10½ ”
Tape speeds
15 & 7½ ips
Frequency response (3dB)
15 ips: 30Hz – 22kHz (standard tape); 30Hz – 28 kHz (SLH tape)
7½ ips: 30Hz – 17kHz (standard tape); 30Hz – 23 kHz (SLH tape)
Wow & flutter
0.04% at 15ip, 0.06% at 7½ ips
Signal to noise ratio
56db (SLH tape), 53dB (standard tape)
Rewind speed
150 sec with 2,400ft tape
Harmonic distortion
1.2%
Bias frequency
160kHz
Inputs
4 each 0.06 V at 100 kohms (line), -72 dB (lo-Z microphone)
Outputs
4 each 0.775 V at 10 kohms (max p/b level), 8 ohm headphones
Dimensions
22 x 17½ x 8¾ ” (559 x 444.5 x 222 mm)
Weight
58 lbs (26.4 Kg)

Product Description:

Sony TC-788-4

General

·       Manufacturer:

·       Model: TC-788-4 (designation in Japan for the identical )

·       Type: 4-channel belt machine

·       Year of construction: 1974 - 1978

·       Made in: Japan

·       Color: Silver, wood side panels

·       Power consumption: 70 watts

·       Dimensions: 448 x 558 x 227 mm (WxHxD)

·       Weight: 26.5 kg

·       Original price approx.: 3'500 DM

Connections

·       Number of inputs:

·       4x Microphone: 0.2mV / -72dB

·       4x Line: 60mV / -22dB / 100kOhm

·       Number of outputs:

·       4x Line: 0.43 V / -5dB / < 10kOhm

·       Headphones front, rear: 8 ohms

Specifications

·       4-track, 4-channel, quadrophony tape deck, also stereo playable

·       coil diameter: max. 26 cm

·       Drive: 3 motors

·       1x AC Servo (Dual Capstan)

·       2x 8-pole DC servo (coils)

·       Heads F&F: 3

·       1x recording

·       1x Playback

·       1x Delete

·       Tracks: 4

·       Belt speeds: 19 cm/s, 38 cm/s

·       Synchronous fluctuations:

·       ± 0.04 % (38cm/s)

·       ± 0.06 % (19cm/s)

·       Wow and flutter:

·       0.02% WRMS (38cm/s)

·       0.03% WRMS (19cm/s)

·       ± 0.03% DIN (38cm/s)

·       ± 0.04% DIN (19cm/s)

·       Total frequency response:

·       20Hz - 35kHz (38cm/s, ± 2dB, SLH)

·       30Hz - 28kHz (19cm/s, ± 2dB, SLH)

·       20Hz - 30kHz (38cm/s, ± 2dB, standard)

·       20Hz - 23kHhz (19cm/s, ± 2dB, standard)

·       Noise voltage ratio according to NAB:

·       53 dB at low noise band

·       56 dB for ferro-chrome band

·       Harmonic distortion: 1.2 %

·       Equalization: NAB Equalizer

·       Crosstalk attenuation at 1 kHz in stereo mode: 55 dB

·       Extinguishing attenuation:

·       Pre-magnetization and extinguishing frequency: AC 85 kHz

·       VU meter:

·       Response: 30Hz - 30Khz

·       Range: -40dB - +15dB

·       Rise time: 1 ms

·       Extinguishing attenuation at 19 cm/sec:

·       Pre-magnetization and extinguishing frequency: 160 kHz

Special equipment

·       Double Capstan Direct Drive

·       Adjustable belt tension for 18 and 26 coils

·       Full logic button circuit

·       Two-stage pre-magnetization

·       Three-stage equalization for normal,low-noise and SONY FeCr double-layer tape