To prevent fire or shock
hazard, do not expose the unit
to rain or moisture.
To avoid electrical ¡(hock do not open
the cabinet.
Refer ser^'tcing to qualified personnel
onlv.
FOR THE CUSTOMERS IN THE
UNITED STATES
A
This symbol is inter>ded to alert the user
to the presence of unirtsulated
"dangerous voltage" within the
proifuct's enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk
of electric shock to fvrsons.
A
ThU Symbol is intende<.( lo alert thè user
lo thè preM*nce of ini^xui.int o|.vrating^
and maintenanre (scrvit-ing) insliuctioris
in thè literature arcompanving thè
appli.iru'e.
Owner's record
The model and serial numbers are
loc.itrtt on the rear of the unit. Record
the Si'rial number in the space provided
below. Refer to lhe.se numbers whenever
yoti call ufx>n ymirStiny dealer
regarding this product-
15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency ersergy and. if
not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encourageai to try to correct the
interferertce by orw or more of the
following measures:
— Reorient or relocate the receiving
antenna.
— Irtcrease the separation between the
equipment and receiver.
— Connect the equipment into an outlet
on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
— Consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/TV technician for help.
CAUTION
You are cautioned that any changes or
modificniions not expressly approved ir
this manual could void your authority
to operate this equipment.
Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing the Sonv
Stereo Cassette Deck. Before operating
the unit, please read this manual
thoroughly and retain it for future
reference.
t he TC-KAIESA and TC-KE?liOS are
provtdeil with an FET input PB
amplifier which enables higher quality
sourni output. (For details on the FET
input PB amplifier, see "Glossary" on
page 15.)
About This Manual
The instructions in this manual are for
models TC-KAlESA and TC KE300S
All illustrations in this manual show the
TC-KE500S.
Please note the following distinguishing
features of each model:
TOKA1ESA
• Is for sale in the U.S.A. and Canada.
TC-KE500S
• Is for sale in the U.S.A.. the U.K., all
European countries. Australia, and
other amntries.
Conventions
• Instructions in this manual desi-ribe
the controls on the deck.
• llie following icon is iistsl in this
manual:
Indicalc.s visefui information or
ti(>s that make a task easier.
Page 3
Table OF CONTENTS
Getting Started
Unpacking 4
Hooking Up the System 4
Playing a Tape s
Recording on a Tape e
Advanced Playback Operations
Locating a Track (Multi-AMS/Auto Play/Memory Play) 8
Advanced Recording Operations
Adjusting Bias and Recording Level Calibration 9
Monitoring the Recorded Sound 10
Inserting a Blank Space During Recording (Record Muting) 10
This section describes ho\c to hook up the tape deck to
an ampliiier. Be sure to turn oft the power of each
component before making the connectiorts.
TC-KA1ESA/KE5<iOS
Hookups
When connecting an audio connecting C(>rit be sure to
match the color*ci*ded cord to the appn*pfiate jacks »>n
the components: Red (right) to Red and White (left) to
While. Be sure to make contu'ctions firmiv to avoid
hum and noise.
Connect the tape deck to the amplifier a.s shown
below.
Tape deckAmplifier
tSignal flow
Setting the voltage selector (only on
models supplied with a voltage selector)
Check that the voltage selector on the rear panel of the
tape deck is .set to the local power line voltage. If not,
set the selector to the correct position using a
screwdriver before connecting the AC poiver cord to
an AC outlet.
Connecting the AC power cord
Connect the AC pi>wer cord to an AC outlet.
Where do I go next?
Nine yniiVf roi.lv h* list’ vi»iir ta/N- doV.
For /•itstV opi'nitions. A' jhiv’c'S 5 to 7: for luhninTii,
ofh'nitiooy, fo tJii’ .SiVlintis sirtrfiH\’/ri>Mi S.
Page 5
Basic Operations
Playing a Tape
2
SOKY
I I-:-
Г" _ jl
c
D Ф Ф :
ji'liP' Ф Isjr''
i
3 о cfb
C
• St* pagt 4 for hookup
information.
To play a tap« rtcerded
with the Oolby NR*
system
Turn DOLBY \R hi iW
IX>(by system thi\t the tape
« as rccorUeU in—B, C. or S.
Пеа«* note ll\a( the B. C. and
S scttin|;s on bt>th sides are
idvnlica) during playback
since the MP\ tiller o^vralcs
only during recording.
You can connect the
headphones to PHONES.
IV>lbe lU'iM* revluciion
m.iiml.wtuied liiiJOi licen^-e
lr«*m Ik-Jbv i .»K'r.Uones
I iceibing
■'IHB.IIY" and the douhle P
svmbol IS are trademarks of
IHdby Utbt>raU>rii*s Licensing
<’or}4»ralion,
Turn on the ampUfier and select the tape deck position.
1
2 Press TOWER, and then press & EJECT.
insert a cassette and close the cassette holder.
"TAPE" and the tape type (I, ll, or IV) appear in the display.
Do not prtss POWER or ^ EJECT while the tape deck is
operating. If you do so, the tape may be damaged.
ToPress
Stop playing
I\ni4‘
FaiU-torwnrd or rewind
Increase the tape fast-forward or rewind ►► or again dtiring fast-forwarding
speed
Take out the cassette
■
II I'AUSE. Pri’s.s iho button again to •
ri*sume v'lay.
►► or whc‘n the deck is stopped
or rewinding
iè F|ECT after stopping {.Maying
Page 6
Basic Operations
Th* Dolby HX PRO* system
automatically works during
racording
You can check how much
blank remains on the tape
1 Locate the end of the
recordetl {portion on the
ta^v.
2 Press RESET to reset the
la^v counter to "0.t)0."
3 Press ►► to iasl-ione.ird
IIm' tape to its end.
The tape otimter shmcs the
approximate amomil of
rimuinin^ titm.
g Start playing the program
To
source.
Press
Stop recording■
Pause
II PAUSE Press the button again to
resume recording.
Take out the cassette& EJECT after stopping recording
o
>9 (
cz
OOtIV NN NALANCE
1C=i3
ED ES
à
B
tape counter
t—i
To adjust the recording balance
Turn balancesothat the L (left channel) and R (right chanrtel) peak level
meters in the display are at the levels you want.
To record with the Dolby NR system
Turn DOLBY NR clockwise to the position you want (B, C. or S) before you
start recording.
If you cannot get satisfying results when recording FM broadcasts
with Dolby NR system
Turn DOLBY NR counterclockwise to the position you want (B, C, or S with
MPX FILTER) before you start recording. The filler turns on to make the
Dolbv NR system wori; more effectively. "FILl HR" appears in the display.
(For details on the MPX filter, see "Clossary” on page 15.)
HX Pro headroom extension
originak-d by Rand 4c Olutsen
and ni.>nufacliir«\l under |ia*ns<
from I»olby I atv'r.iiori»'«
I icen-iing forpoiMiinn.
TKR in.- diedooNe-Ds
llland llXPUO' antrademarks nt Dolin'
l.abor.ilories Licensing
Corporation.
ImrdelaiUoi
MV ”ClkV!s.it»
IXM.IIYMX PKCT
“ on page IS.
tnl-*ol
Page 7
Locating a Track (Multi-AMS/
Auto Play/Memory Play)
You can locate the following/previous tracks (Multi*
AMS: Automatic Music Sensor) or the beginning of a
tape quickly. You can even locate a specific point
anywhere on a tape.
MSn MIMORY
What happens during Multi-AMS operation
when Multi-AMS is operating, "PLAY” appears. And eaih
time the deck detects a blank space, the indicated number
decreases by one. After locating the beginning of the
specified (rack, the counter indication appears again and the
deck starts playing the track.
^: Beginning of track
-M[;] ►►[;) w[ai
Tg locate
the beginning of (he next
or succeeding tracks
(Multi-AMS*)
the beginning of the
current track (Multi-AMS*)
the beginning of the
preceding tracks
(Multi-AMS*)
the beginning of a tape
(Auto Play)
a particular point on a
tape (idemory Play)
You can use the Multi-AMS io locate up to the .KHh (rack
after or before the current track.
Press
►O' as Rtany limes as you
want while piayingFor example, to locate 2 tracks
ahead, press twi^.
^ once while playing
^ as many times as you
want while playing.
For example, to locate 2 tracks
behind, press three times.
MEMORY repeatedly until
"ME.MORY" disappears in the
display. Then press'^4
while holding down t>.
MEMORY repeatedly until
”MEMORY” appears in the
display.*Find the point you
want, and press RESET (o
reset the tape counter and to
memoriae the point.
To l«ate the memorized
pi>int, press while
holding down (Press
only to stop at ”0.00.'')
Previous
track
Notes
• The Multi-AMS function may not work correctly if:
— the blank space between tracks is less than 4 seconds
long.
— the signal strength of the left and right channels are
very different.
— there is a passage of low frequencies or very low
volume within a track.
• Since the counter is not a digital clock, it will differ from
the actual elapsed playback or recording time.
Current
track
Next
track
Page 8
Adjusting Bias and Recording
Level Calibration
Since theTe*aTe many different t>'pes of c«\ssettes on the
market, the tape deck automatically sets the
appropriate equalization characteristics arvd bias
current for each tape type (ATS; Automatic Tape
Selection).
However^you can get better recording results b>'
adjusting^ bias current and recording le\ el
calibration.
CAUMUTION BUS REC LEVEL
IIMUSE «REC
1 Insert the cassette you w'ant to recordon. •
2 Press CALIBRATION.
The display for adjusting the bias current and
recording level calibration appears.
n
3 Pn>s5«RF.C.
Press II PAUSE or C> to record the test tones.
(You can't hear the test tones.)
After two or three secvwds, the meters showing
the level of the test tones appear in the displav.
Tl>en adjust, in sequence, the bias atrret\t and
recording level calibtation.
Adjust BIAS so that b*>th meters indicate equal
signal levels.
If the upper meter shows a higher level than the
lower meter, turn BIAS clockwis*.*.
If the li»wer nu’lor shim s a higher le\ rl tlun the
upy>er nwter, turo BI/\ScounUrdockwi>e.
6 Adjust REC LEVEL so that both meters reach the
recommended level.
Turn REC LEVEL ckKkwise to increase both
meters.
Turn REC LEVEL countercltKkwise to decrease
tKith meters.
Rtcommendad level
Repeat steps 5 and 6 if necessary.
7 Press ■. then press CALIBRATION to stop
recording the test tones.
The display returns to normal.
8 Rewind the tape and .start the actual recording.
V can also adjust the bias current and recording
level calibration according to your own taste
For dclaiU, see page IS.
Notes
• Because the meters use a wider amplitude during tape
calibration, they are more sen.sitive to slight changes in
signal level.
• When you use metal (tyj,M- IV) tapes, the I'ret^uencs’
respitnse to adjustments of the bias current is small.
Xheretore, adjusting the bias current with the range of this
tap*' deck (a range of abiUtl ±20".) may n«)t Iv effective.
Equal signal level
Page 9
Advanced Recording Operations
Monitoring the Recorded
Sound
• You cnn compare the quality oi the recorded sound
with the sound of the program source while recording.
ll ' l:l
CD IrìrtcrrTl
While recording, press MONITOR repeatedly until
"TAPE" appears in the disf^ay.
You can monitor the sound being recorded.
To listen to the sound of the progiam source
Press MONITOR repeatedly until "SOURCE'* appears in the
display.
,--------------1
o <D ^
A e c
)
Inserting a Blank Space During
Recording (Record Muting)
You can insert a blank space of 4 seconds between each
track. The blank spaces between tracks let you locate
the track easily with the Mu)ti*AMS function (see page
8). Also, use this function to eliminate only unwanted
portions on the tape.
I— -I
n;|
|i—^
lieAUSf ONtCMUn
1 Start recording.
2 Press O REC MUTE once when you want to
insert a blank space.
"REC" in the display starts flashing and the tape
moves on without recording any signals.
After 4 seconds, "II" lights up and the tape deck
is now ready to resume recording.
3 Press II PAUSE or to resume recording.
To insert a blank space longer than 4 seconds
Hold down O RF.C MUTE as long as you want. After 4
sei.’orkis, "REC“ flashes faster.
When you release the O REC MUTE, "II" lights up and
tlw tape deck is ready to resume recording.
Press II PAUSE or C> to resume recording.
*=» • it» /f*\
èm 9 \J
Bl Ò c±)
' To Insert a blank space of less than 4 seconds
After pressing O REC MUTE, press II PAUSE at any
time. Tlie deck changes to recording pniise. I'o resutvie
recording, press # REC instead of II PAUSE.
10
Page 10
Precautions
Onsaftty
• Do not dismemble the c<ibinet — this may resuit in an
electrical shock. Refer servicing to quaUfied personnel
only.
• should any solid obfecl or liquid iall into the cabinet,
unplug the tape deck and have it checked by qualified
personacLhefore operating it any further.
Notes on Cassette Tapes
To protect the recording
Break off the rea>rd-protect tab for side A or B.
On power sources
• Before operating the tape deck, check that the operating
voltage of the tape deck is identical with your local power
supply. The operating voltage is indicated on the
nameplate at the rear of the tape deck.
» The unit is not disconnected from the AC power source
(rnains) as long as it is connected to the wail outlet, even if
the unit itself has been turned off.
• If you are not going to use the tape deck for a long time,
be sure to disconnect the tape deck from the wall outlet.
To disconnect the AC power cord (mains lead), grasp the
plug itself; never pull the cord.
• AC power cord must be changed only at the qualified
service shop.
On operation
• Because of a safety mechanism, the function buttons u'ill
not cerate if the cassette holder is not completely closed,
if there is no cassette in the cassette holder, or if a cassette
has been irKorrecily inserted into the cassette hedder.
• Be sure to slop the tape before turning olf the tape deck.
Otherwise, the tape may be damaged.
On plactment
• place the tape deck in a location with adequate ventilation
to prevent heat build-up in the tape deck. «
• Do not place the tape deck;
— on a soft surface such as a rug that might bU>ck the
ventilation holes on the bottom.
— in a location near heat sources.
in a place subject to direct sunlight.
— in an inclined position.
in a place subject to excessive dust or mechanical shock.
On deaning th« tape deck
Oean the cabinet, panel and controls with a Si>ft cloth
slightly moistened with a mild detergent solution. Do not
use any type of abrasive pad. scouring (x>wder or stilvent
sui*h as alcohol or ben/ino.
If you have any questions or problems conceriting vt*ur
t.ipe deck, please con.sult ytntr m*aix*sl St*nv dealer.
Tab for side B
To record on a tape having a broken tab
Cover the record-protect lab hole For side A or B with
adhesive (ape.
When you are using a type II or type IV ta^ie, K* careful not
to cover the detector slots that the deck uses to determine
the type.
Typo IITypalV
Tab for side A
I oc—ae \ j e»c=ie \
Datector slots Detector slots
On tapes longer than 90 minutes
We do not recommend the use of longer than W
minutes except for a long continuous recording or phiyb.uk.
They are very thin and temi to bo stretched easily.
On handling cassettes
• To prevent the Iwads and tap»* path from getting dirty,
avoid touching the tape surface of a c.issette.
• Place cassettes away from equipment with magnets, suih
as speakers and amplifiers; it may cause tape distortion or
erase the recordings.
• Oo not expose cassettes to direct sunlight, exlawely cold
temperature or nuiislure.
for the customers in the U.S.A.
For detailed safety precautions, see the leaflet
“IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS.“
.11
Page 11
Additional Information
Cleaning
(nsMt of tht casMttt holdor
Capsu
nr-
r
1
Recording
hoad_. ,
Erasin
nayint
ghoad Mm
Cleaning the heads gnd tape path
Dean the beads and tape path of the tape deck after
every 10 hours of operation to guard against:
• a decrease in sound level
• excessive wow or flutter
• sound dropout
• incompleteerasure
To ensure better recording, we rea>mmend th<nt you
clean the heads and tape path before e\’cry recording.
1 Press & E|ECT to open the cassette holder.
2 With the tape dock turned t'ff, wipi’ the heads, the
pinch roller, and the capstan with a cotton swab
slightly moistened with alcohol or a commercially
available cleaning fluid for tape decks.
Do not insert a cassette until the cicanevi areas are
completely dry.
Demagnetizing the heads
After 20 to 30 hours of use. or when you notice a
hissing sound or loss of high frequencies. demagneti7e
the hccvls with commerciallv available demagnetizer
for ta^x' dc*cks. Please refer fo the instructions i»f the
*iet«agneti/er.
1 head
* roller-^
1
12
Page 12
Troubleshooting
expt»rii’nci*d dn\’ i»i the following
while u$ing>#he lope deck, use this troubleshi>oting
guide to help vv»u remedy the problem. Should arry
problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer.
The functjpn buttons do not work.
^ The tope deck has just Iven turned on and does
not operate tor about 3 seconiis. Wait until “II”
stop's Hashing.
Check that the cassette is inserted correctly and
the cassette holder is closed completely.
The tape stops before the tape has been fully rewound.
^ The tape is slack. Take up the tape stack.
If "ME.VIORY" is shown in the display, press
MEMORY repeatedly until the indication
disappears.
The cassette shell is bent. Use anotlier cassette.
The tape deck does not play or record.
^ Tlw tape has reeled to the et>d.
The tape is slack. Take up the lafS* sla4*k.”
The record-pn'tect tab ha* Invn removed fri»m
the cassette. Cov er the slot with tape (page 11).
Clean the heads and tape path and
demagnetize the heads (puge 12).
Che^'k that the tape deck j* properly connected
(page 4».
^ Make sure the ainp'lifier is correctly set.
There is excessive wow, flutter, or a sound dropout.
^ The cap>stans and pin« h rollers arc dirty Clean
thennss*e page 12|.
Additional Information
The MuKhAMS fuiKtion does not work properly.
^ One of the tracks contains a long pause, a
passage of lo«v frequencies or ver\' low volume,
or a gradual increase or decreace in %'olumc.
^ The space before a track is less than 4 seconds
long. Insert a blank space of 4 seconds using O
RECMUTE button.
The signal strength of the left and right
channels are very different.
There is noise in the space before a track.
You pressed ►► button immediately before the
next track, or ^ button immediately after the
beginning of the current track.
There is a decrease in sound level or a sound dropouti
The tape does not erase completely.fNoise increases.
^ The iveads and tapv path are dirty. Clean them
(.4*0 page 12)
■Ф The Iwads are magiwtized. IVmagnetize llwm
(see page 12).
There is hum or noise.
^ The lapx* deck is placed near a TV or VCR.
Place th*‘ tape divk awav fr«>m the ТЛ' or VCR.
^ 1 he lapx* di4'k is р1а«чч1 «>n or under the
.implitier I'l.we ;!\e t.ipx- d«« к .ov.iv Irom the
.implith-r
There is an unbalanced tone.
Cbi4-k ih.U the IXH.BY \R control is >ct to the
;x»silion where the tape was record«4l.
^ The tapx* deck is placed near .> TV or \'CR.
Пасе the tape deck awav fri'in the T\' «’r VCR.
13
Page 13
Glossary
ATS
Autumatic Selection. The tape deck aulomAticallv iVts
the appropriate equ.'tlization characteristics and bias current
according to the tape type inserted in the deck.
Bias calibration
Adivtstmcntlor optimum recording. You can get belter
Tecordirtg results with minimum distortion and tlM
frequency response by adjusting the bias current to the
appreciate level. Lowering the bias current can boost high-
frequency response, but also cause higher distortion. On the
other hand, raising the bias current con minimize distortion,
but also reduce high-frequency response. To balance both
the bias current and high-frequency response, it is necessary
to adjust the bias current appropriately.
Howet'er, to suit your taste, you can also adjust the bias
current as vou want.
Dolby HX PRO system
DistM’tirm and noise reduction system. The Dolby MX PRO
system reduces distortion and noise in high-frequency
respoase while recording. A tape recorded with this system
brings the some high-quality M>und even when you play the
tape on the other tape decks.
Dolby NR Inoise reduction) system
.Voisv ri\iuctii>n system for eliminating hissing noise. The
Dolby N'R system boosts the liuv-levcl .signals in high
fre^juency during reconting and restores them during T
playback.
Tho'e ate 4 types* in the Dolby \R system; A. R, C and S
A-type is for professional use (not available tm this tape
decki, and B. C and S-tvpes are for consumer ctse. S-lype has
the nuiximum noist.' retluction capiibilitv. folttm(*d bv C an*t
Additional Information
MPX filter
Multiplex niter. A Alter for eliminating the ]9-kHz stereo
carrier and the 38-kHz sub-carrier signals that may impair
the Dolby NR system. Usually the tuner has an MPX filter.
If you cannot gel a satisfying result when recording FM
broadcasts with Dolby NR system, your tuner does not have
a hlter or the filter is rtot working. In this case, turn the
DOLBY NR switch countercoickwise to the position you
want (B. C, or S with .MPX FILTER).
Multi-AMS
Multi-Automatic Music Sensor is a function that locates the
beginning of up to 30 tracks before or after the current track
by detecting a blank spare (of over 4 seconds) between
tracks.
Recording level calibration
Adjustment for optimum recording. Even when you have
adjusted the recording le\'el correctly, the playing level
might turn out to be low depending on the tape used. By
.idju.«ling the recording level calibration, you can
compensate for the low recording level. When you record
on a tape with the Dolby NR system, this function works
rhore effectively.
Output
level
FET input PB amplifier
Ibe FI- r input PB amplifier is a l ircuit that is }H*silioned
beuetvn the playing he.nl and the op«'rational amplifier.
Unlike conventional amplifier circuits, which requite a low
noise, mi-ilium-quality o|vr.iiionai amplifier becau.se of il.s
dinvt link with the playing head, the noise-free .signal that
the I- FI input PR amplifier provid«*s eruibles the u.st* of a
lujUter quality iqs-TAtivMv^l amplifier, .uvl more natural
Nt>undiiig out pot.
Tape counter
A display element that shows the elapsed recording or
playing lime as a digital readout. Since the counter is mu .t
digital ckH-k, the displayed value will differ slightly from
the actual elapsed recording or playing lime. The counter
v.ilue also includi-s the lengtli *U the leader tape.
Test tones
l.^-kHz, t-kHz ami 400-Hz signals produc»\l by the tape
deck when you do the bias and recording level calibration.