Sony TC-200 R2R Transformers

[eldarvanyar]

Hi all,

I have a Sony TC-200 R2R that I want to use the power supply and output transformers for a valve amp build.

Specifications
Track system: 4-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system

Reel size: up to 7 inch reel

Tape speeds: 3 3⁄4 7 1⁄2 ips

Wow and flutter: 0.19% (7 1⁄2 ips)

Frequency response: 50Hz to 14kHz (7 1⁄2 ips)

Signal to Noise Ratio: 46dB

Output power: 1.5 watts

Semiconductors: 2 x 2SD64, 2 x 1T22G, 1 x 1S125

Valve complement: 2 x 6267, 3 x 30M-P23

Dimensions: 404 x 380 x 227mm

Weight: 12kg

Year: 1968
People often use the TC-500.

The power supply part number is 1441-080-12

The output transformers part number is 1427-085-11
I am hoping that the opts are as good as the TC500


The speaker part number is 1502-080-12

Are the speakers the same as the TC-500 and worth using?
I was wondering about building an RH84 or Zen etc.
Has anyone used the transformers and power supply for a build?

There is further info here on hifi engine
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/sony/tc-200.shtml

Thanks

 

[ErikdeBest]

Have you seen this https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/nec-30m-p23.172750/
I am not a member, so I can't see the schematic. Do you have it?
Best regards,
Erik

 

[FlaCharlie]

I was wondering about building an RH84 or Zen etc.
Has anyone used the transformers and power supply for a build?

You could build something using the stock tubes, as described in the AK thread, but the transformers are not suitable for the designs you're considering.

The tubes used are equivalent to the 30A5. According to the data sheet, they typically run with only 100v on the plate and OTs with a 2.4k primary and produce ~2w. Typical SE EL84 / 6BQ5 designs run ~300v on the plate and OTs with a 5k primary. Also, the stock PT heats the tubes with 30v and the EL84 runs on 6.3v.

 

[eldarvanyar]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like I have bought the wrong RTR, and I bought two of them, Doh! I should have bought the Sony TC500.
If there is a flea amp worth building are there any circuits that will work with the power supply and transformers?
Is it worth trying to do something with them and build a flea amp or sell them on?

Thanks

 

[jcalvarez]

Check if the OPT has a 4 ohm tap. If it does, then you can connect an 8ohm speaker to it and get 4.8K reflected impedance on the primary winding.

 

[OldHector]

Maybe something like this simple project with PCL82s, run the heaters serially and perhaps headphones for listening. PCL82 is capable of higher B+ than 40V, so tweak the operating point for your bits out of the R2Rs.

 

[Tom Bavis]

Check if the OPT has a 4 ohm tap. If it does, then you can connect an 8ohm speaker to it and get 4.8K reflected impedance on the primary winding.

...and lose a bit more than an octave at the low frequency end.

 

[jcalvarez]

...and lose a bit more than an octave at the low frequency end.

If available, try it, measure it, listen to it, then decide.

 

[eldarvanyar]

Could I just use the output transformers and by a more suitable power supply?
if I did that would it give me more options or is it thr output transformers that are the main issues?

 

[FlaCharlie]

As I mentioned earlier, presumably the OTs are designed to work with the stock output tubes so their primary impedance should be ~2.4k since that's the load specified in the tube data sheet. You could use them with other tubes that work with a similar load.

But the OTs are also designed to be used with tubes that only put out ~2.1w max (@11% distortion) so they won't be suitable for tubes that put out much more power than the stock ones. Any alternative tube that might work will require you to use a different power transformer and will only make the project more expensive.

Your best bet is to use the tubes it's designed for as was done successfully in the link in Post #2 above. Then you can also use the stock power transformer. There's no reason why you can't build something decent using what you already have.