Sony TC 152 SD puzzle - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

saxmaniac · 14th Sep 2012, 7:52 am

I dont know if this is a known fault, and it probably applies to other cassette recorders than just this model. A recording made on side A can be heard on playback in reverse on side B, and is still there if a new recording is made on side B. The new side B recording is now audible in reverse on side A. I hear you shouting azimuth adjustment, but I have adjusted this with commercial pre recorded tapes for perfect playback and fault remains whatever I do. Anybody got any ideas before I start swapping heads. Is there a good method for azimuth adjustment in general with basic equipment?

paolo · 14th Sep 2012, 8:19 am

Are you talking about a faint playback of the reverse side? I think the term is crosstalk. Are you adjusting only the azimuth of the playback head or also of the erase head? Could it be that recordings aren't being fully erased across the track width? Either that or perhaps there is wear on the head that is causing it to be read at a less than optimal angle?

This link may help:

http://richardhess.com/notes/2006/03...on-a-cassette/

Paul

ben · 14th Sep 2012, 11:29 am

Are the recordings made and played back on this same unit?

saxmaniac · 14th Sep 2012, 8:51 pm

Hi Folks
The problem is there if recordings are made on a blank new tape on the same machine for record and playback. The machine has not had much use from new so is very unworn. If a recording is made on side a, the erase head will completely erase that, so the erase head must be aligned ok. The reverse side will still have that unwanted backwards recording. If a new recording is made on the reverse side, an nwanted backward recording appears at a low level on the original side. (I have not touched the erase head, but I do not have a 100 percent reliable method of adjusting the record/playback head). This fault has appeared suddenly, the machine was working fine to that point. It may be that I am a bit thick and not setting the head up right, but id all seems to defy logic

Refugee · 14th Sep 2012, 9:03 pm

I have got a photo off the web in about 3 mouse clicks

The problem is most likely due to an ordinary washer being fitted under the left fixing where a thin shim can be seen.
It is a mistake that is easy to make if you take too much it it to bits all at the same time.
It would lift the head enough to cause some crosstalk on the other side of the tape.

saxmaniac · 15th Sep 2012, 4:10 pm

That's interesting, mine hasnt been apart to that degree and hasnt got a stray part in the wrong place, but if the head were not level for any reason, I reckon crosstalk would happen regardless of adjustment. I think the problem I have is really that i aint very good at adjusting head height! I cant remember it ever being such a pain in the past though

Refugee · 15th Sep 2012, 5:42 pm

On the photo i have found there are two little "ears" on the left side of the head face.
With a magnifier make sure the tape has not warn a groove in the lower one and that in playback the tape is not curling at its lower edge.
Both of these will lead to crosstalk and must be eliminated.
The head bracket must be flat as it is in the photo and the shim between it and the standoff must be thinner than the bracket itself.
There is little point in attempting anything else until these checks are completed.

14th Sep 2012, 7:52 am	#1
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Sony TC 152 SD puzzle I dont know if this is a known fault, and it probably applies to other cassette recorders than just this model. A recording made on side A can be heard on playback in reverse on side B, and is still there if a new recording is made on side B. The new side B recording is now audible in reverse on side A. I hear you shouting azimuth adjustment, but I have adjusted this with commercial pre recorded tapes for perfect playback and fault remains whatever I do. Anybody got any ideas before I start swapping heads. Is there a good method for azimuth adjustment in general with basic equipment?

14th Sep 2012, 8:19 am	#2
paolo Heptode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 615	Re: Sony TC 152 SD puzzle Are you talking about a faint playback of the reverse side? I think the term is crosstalk. Are you adjusting only the azimuth of the playback head or also of the erase head? Could it be that recordings aren't being fully erased across the track width? Either that or perhaps there is wear on the head that is causing it to be read at a less than optimal angle? This link may help: http://richardhess.com/notes/2006/03...on-a-cassette/ Paul

14th Sep 2012, 11:29 am	#3
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Sony TC 152 SD puzzle Are the recordings made and played back on this same unit? __________________ Regards, Ben.

14th Sep 2012, 8:51 pm	#4
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Re: Sony TC 152 SD puzzle Hi Folks The problem is there if recordings are made on a blank new tape on the same machine for record and playback. The machine has not had much use from new so is very unworn. If a recording is made on side a, the erase head will completely erase that, so the erase head must be aligned ok. The reverse side will still have that unwanted backwards recording. If a new recording is made on the reverse side, an nwanted backward recording appears at a low level on the original side. (I have not touched the erase head, but I do not have a 100 percent reliable method of adjusting the record/playback head). This fault has appeared suddenly, the machine was working fine to that point. It may be that I am a bit thick and not setting the head up right, but id all seems to defy logic

14th Sep 2012, 9:03 pm	#5
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,554	Re: Sony TC 152 SD puzzle I have got a photo off the web in about 3 mouse clicks The problem is most likely due to an ordinary washer being fitted under the left fixing where a thin shim can be seen. It is a mistake that is easy to make if you take too much it it to bits all at the same time. It would lift the head enough to cause some crosstalk on the other side of the tape. Attached Thumbnails

15th Sep 2012, 4:10 pm	#6
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Re: Sony TC 152 SD puzzle That's interesting, mine hasnt been apart to that degree and hasnt got a stray part in the wrong place, but if the head were not level for any reason, I reckon crosstalk would happen regardless of adjustment. I think the problem I have is really that i aint very good at adjusting head height! I cant remember it ever being such a pain in the past though

15th Sep 2012, 5:42 pm	#7
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,554	Re: Sony TC 152 SD puzzle On the photo i have found there are two little "ears" on the left side of the head face. With a magnifier make sure the tape has not warn a groove in the lower one and that in playback the tape is not curling at its lower edge. Both of these will lead to crosstalk and must be eliminated. The head bracket must be flat as it is in the photo and the shim between it and the standoff must be thinner than the bracket itself. There is little point in attempting anything else until these checks are completed.