General Asylum: REVIEW: Sony TCK 909 ES Tapedeck by shpickering@yahoo.ca

Model:	TCK 909 ES
Category:	Tapedeck
Suggested Retail Price:	$1200 Canadian
Description:	3 head Dual Capstan Dolby S tapedeck from 1994.
Manufacturer URL:	Sony
Manufacturer URL:	Sony

Review by shpickering@yahoo.ca ( A ) on February 11, 2006 at 21:12:00
IP Address: 216.113.201.25

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for the TCK 909 ES

I've had my deck for well over 12 years now. I bought it when it just came out in 1994. Dolby S decks started to appear from Sony at this time. I originally bought the 707ES deck, but it had problems and I decided to get the top of the line instead. I havent parted with the deck since I bought it. I rerecorded all my tape collection (from LP and CD) using Dolby S and it did make a difference. The sound quality was much better. The highs still rolled off a little on some tapes, but it was acceptable. The opennous sound was more apparent on Dolby S compared to Dolby C. Soundstaging was much better. Noise was very low. Bass quality was very good and on this deck rated to 15 HZ. Some newer models were rated at 20 HZ. The last new model was the A3 which a friend of mine has. You can no longer get a high end tape deck from Sony. After years of not recording with mine, I noticed the balance control when used wasn't passing sound through it. I had to click on direct to get sound. So my unit is showing its age. I openned it up in the past and noticed many red parts inside which I never seen in cheaper decks. I suspect Sony used better parts in these units. I think my model only lasted for 1 year before it was replaced to a different model number. I suspect its because they made the deck cheaper. Mine after a while did chew the odd tape as well, but this was somewhat rare.

Product Weakness: No remote supplied
Product Strengths: Somewhat heavy, decent build quality, good sound quality

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Rotel RB 970 II
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Rotel RC 980
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Thoren TD 147 tt
Speakers:	Paradigm Monitor 5 SE Mk2
Cables/Interconnects:	standard store cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, classical
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	No remote supplied
Product Strengths:	Somewhat heavy, decent build quality, good sound quality