Sony EL-5 Elcaset rare large format 3 head cassette deck SERVICED!

We are one of the only facilities in the Pacific NorthWest that buys, sells and restores reel to reel tape decks. We have over 35 years experience working on these units, and have the tools and test equipment to properly align and bring these decks to life.
We use MRL calibration tapes, and are dealers for ATR tape. We work on everything from mono tube machines to 2" 24 track studio decks.
We stock many types of ATR tape from 7" reels to 2", in several formulations. We have about 300 decks in stock at all times.

This is the semi rare Sony EL-7 Elcaset, a short lived cartridge format that Sony came out with in 1976, but discontinued by 1980. It offered the larger 1/4" tape format, in a cassette type cartridge, offering far better fidelity than cassette decks that were available in 1976. Wider tape means lower noise, and a better frequency response, and less problems with tape flaws.

We've had a few Elcasets in our stock over the last couple of years, and to take a break from reel to reel decks, we decided to dive into this one. The EL-7 was the top of the line offering from Sony, better than the EL-3, EL-4 and EL-5, and to the best of our knowledge, the only 3 head model that Sony made, offering instantaneous monitoring off the tape as it's being recorded.

These Elcaset decks (as well as Sony RTRs and regular cassette decks) are full of white lithium grease that hardens over time, and since almost all of these decks have sat around in closets for decades, it's quite the job to free everything up. A bunch of parts had to get removed from the transport to get rid of that old grease, and then the transport slowly came to life. We replaced all the rubber with the exception of the pinch roller that's in great shape, so that was 3 belts and the FF/REW idler.
We changed out the two bulbs behind the cassette window, as they were burned out, and relined the brakes on the deck as well.

Electronically, the deck was in decent shape. All functions worked, but of course the controls and switches were very dirty, and a good shot of DeOxIt brought all those back to life.

Cosmetically, the deck is excellent as shown. This deck didn't come in with the wood side panels, so these may have been an option for this deck? Overall there are minor marks on the top cover, but nothing outside of orginary wear and tear. The front panel is also excellent as shown.

We ran the deck for about 10 hours, recording and playing back on our one Elcaset that we have, and as you can see by frequency response, the deck has uniform response on both channels.

The deck is flat to 22Khz with FeCr tape. An awesome response for an Elcaset!

We did note that our two FeCr cassettes that we have to test the odd Elcaset that comes in are shedding badly at both ends of the tape. If you're playing old tape, beware that they may now be shedding, and if you have any valuable recordings on Elcaset, now is the time to transfer them to digital.

Due to the age of this unit, and the fact that there are few replacement parts available for it, we are selling this Elcaset 'as described'

We know how to ship these decks, and we will box it in a 20 x 20 X 12 oversize box, with styro sheets and bubble wrap. Shipping to the East and South will run the quoted rate, however shipping in the West and down the West Coast will be somewhat less, and any difference will be refunded upon shipping.
IMPORTANT: All of our items are located in Vancouver Canada, and will need to be customs cleared into the US. Our listed price includes all tariffs and customs broker charges (totalling just over 20%), however it is now mandatory to include an EIN (business number) or your SSN on the customs paperwork. No exceptions. This changed as of Aug 29, 2025 we didn't need it prior to the new regulations. Just google this for verification, every customs broker website has this new information on it now:

CBP requires documentation that includes shipment details, such as the identification of the ultimate consignee. An ultimate consignee is a person, party, or designee in the United States who will receive the shipment. The ultimate consignee is usually the buyer of the goods. CBP uses either a EIN or SSN, issued by the IRS, to identify the ultimate consignee:

Buyers in Canada see this as a domestic shipment, with no tax or duty.

• Employer Identification Number (EIN): Issued to business entities
• Social Security Number (SSN): Issued to individuals

Without an IRS number, CBP cannot identify the ultimate consignee and will not allow the shipment into the US.

We greatly value all of our clients in the US, Canada, and worldwide!