Sony TC-229SD Cassette tape Deck

The Sony TC-229SD was a high quality, heavy weight cassette deck. It was Sony top front loader upon launch on 1976 (the top Sony cassette deck was the top-loading TC-177SD with closed loop dual capstan transport and three heads) and was a serious audiophile deck despite having only two heads and a single capstan transport.

The Sony TC-229SD received a facelift and some minor improvements in 1977/78 being renamed the TC-K7 (also available in a darker finish as the TC-K7B).

The Sony TC-229SD was quite a good seller in the UK (but apparently not elsewhere) so you do see them come up on eBay UK from time to time. Like any vintage tape decks on the used market these days it will invarably not be in full working condition as belts stretch/disintegrate and idler tyres wear out. Servicing is very difficult these days as Sony Service Centres will not look at a product of this age and there are only a small number of specialists left who can service them. Even if you manage to find someone who can work on vintage tape decks then parts can often be a problem. The good news, however, with the Sony TC-229SD is that it has the Sony F&F head which never wears out!