Digital Processor Reviews

Sony DTC-1000ES R-DAT recorder & Sony PCM-1630 A/D converter Sony DTC-1000 Specifications

Sidebar 3: Sony DTC-1000 Specifications

Description: Two-channel, rotary-head, self-contained digital tape recorder (does not require a separate tape transport). Sampling frequency: 48kHz (will also record/replay at 32kHz and replay at 44.1kHz). Quantization: 16-bit linear. Data transmission rate: 2.46Mbits/s. Subcode capacity: 273.1kbits/s. Modulation system: 8–10 conversion. Error correction: Dual Reed-Solomon. Frequency range: 2Hz–22kHz. Dynamic range: greater than 96dB. THD at 0dB: 0.005%. Wow and flutter: <0.01% (weighted peak). Tape speed: 8.15mm/s. Writing speed: 3.133m/s. Head-drum diameter: 30mm. Head-drum rotation speed: 2000rpm. Tape head-drum wrap: 90°. Head azimuth angle: &$60;20 degrees. Recording time: 2 hours. Tape type: metal powder. Tape thickness: 13µm. Tape width: 3.81mm. Cassette size: 73mm W × 54mm D × 10.5mm H.
Price: to be announced (1987); no longer available (2021).
Manufacturer: Sony Consumer Products, Sony Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656 (1987); Sony Electronics Inc., 16530 Via Esprillo, San Diego, CA 92127. Tel: (858) 942-2400. Web: sony.com (2021). Product not yet released in the USA (1987); review sample bought in Tokyo.

COMPANY INFO
Sony Consumer Products
Sony Drive
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
Product not yet released in the USA (1987)
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Axiom05's picture
Submitted by Axiom05 on May 6, 2021 - 12:27pm

Maybe this is a dumb question but why do we see no pre-ringing from the anti-aliasing filter?

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on May 6, 2021 - 2:04pm
Axiom05 wrote:
why do we see no pre-ringing from the anti-aliasing filter?

It's a minimum-phase filter, presumably operating in the analog domain.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

bdiament's picture
Submitted by bdiament on May 16, 2021 - 5:21am

We sure have come a long way from the 1630 and DAT, thank goodness!
While Apogee's retrofit filters provided an appreciable increase in 1630 performance, the limitations of the 16-bit system, particularly at low levels, could not be overcome.

And though DAT certainly seemed convenient, I found the shelf life to be rather limited. After a few months, many tapes developed sections that played back sounding much like a fax transmission! I wouldn't want to archive to such a format.

Happily, we now have systems that can deliver a superbly clean 24-bit capture at 192 kHz.
When I first heard digital back in early 1983, my feeling was that it took vinyl 100 years to get to where it was, and that in another 100 years, digital will have arrived too. ;-}
I feel most fortunate that we didn't have to wait anywhere near that long.

Best regards,
Barry
www.soundkeeperrecordings.com

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