Sony TC-252W Reel-To-Reel Stereo Tape Recorder Japan 1968

A beautiful and compact Sony reel-to-reel tape recorder with built in amplifier and portable speakers. The Sony TC-252 is a four-track stereophonic / monophonic tape recorder for accurate recording and playback, featuring built-in amplifiers and lid-integrated stereo speakers produced in the late 1960s. The "W" designation denotes a unit featuring a premium wooden cabinet rather than the standard vinyl-style casing. 

The TC-252/TC-252W series was marketed as a compact, high-quality, and cost-effective home audio system. It gained popularity because the built-in amplifiers and speakers meant users could enjoy it straight out of the box without needing an external stereo receiver. Special features include a vibration-free motor, all-silicon transistor for exceptional low noise and distortion, scrape flutter filter which eliminates undesirable tape modulation distortion, automatic sentinel shut-off and retractable pinch roller. The sound-on-sound facility of the TC-252 permits composite recording from left channel to right channel and vice versa with its selector switch. Sound-with-sound and public address are also featured.

This is a completely restored item, clean and tested. It has a very stabile playback and extraordinary recording feature as you can see on the video. The recorder has all the original mechanical and electrical parts. One idler tire was changed for stabile and silent operation. All rubber parts are cleaned. The heads are cleaned and adjusted.
The built-in amplifier amplifier also works. One of the external speakers has a cable issue but I didn’t changed the cable neither the plug to keep them original. This recorder has a fantastic clear and worm sound that better to enjoy connected to an amplifier. If someone would like to use it with the external speakers, changing the speaker cable is not an issue.

Key Features & Specifications
- Tracks & Channels: 4-track, 2-channel stereo / monophonic
- Tape Speeds: 3 speeds: 7 1/2, 3 3/4, 1 7/8 ips (inches per second)
- Frequency Response: 30 Hz - 18 kHz 7 1/2 ips
- Wow and flutter: 0.12% at  7 1/2 ips
- Speakers: Twin hi-fi 5-inch speakers integrated into the detachable lid for standalone playback
- Power Output: 4 watts per channel
- Circuits: All-silicon transistor circuitry for low noise and minimal distortion
- Notable Functions: Sound-on-sound recording, scrape flutter filter, dual VU meters, and automatic tape lifters

Specifications
Manufacturer: Sony
Model: TC-252 W (Sony TC-252 with amplifier and speaker)
Type: Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder
Serial No: 14400 
Years of manufacture: 1968 - 1972
Made in: Japan
Color: Silver / Black, wooden cabinet
Dimensions: 408 x 256 x 380mm
Weight: 13.5kg

Technical data
Track system: 4-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system
Heads: 1 x record/playback, 1 x erase
Reel size: up to 7 inch reel
Tape speeds: 1 7⁄8  3 3⁄4  7 1⁄2 ips
Wow and flutter: 0.12% (7 1⁄2 ips)
Frequency response: 30Hz to 18kHz (7 1⁄2 ips)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 50dB
Input: 60mV (line), 0.19mV (mic)
Output: 0.39V (line)
Output power: 4 watts
Speakers: 2 x 130mm dynamic speakers
Semiconductors: 20 x transistors, 3 x diodes

Special features
Horizontal and vertical adjustable

International shipping in a hard cardboard box, carefully and safely lined. 

Tags: Sony, SonyTC252, ReelToReel, Tape Recorder, Japan, 70s HiFi, Vintage HiFi