Classic Tech - Sony TC-D5 Field Recorder

Originally an expensive tool for professionals, old cassette field recorders are a good option for people looking for a high quality compact deck.
The ebay links below will reveal if there are any TC-D5s on ebay

Sony TC-D5

Alternatively these links will look for my second recommendation - the Marantz PMD430 (US) or CP430 (UK)

I've also put together a list below of some alternative models that might be worth looking into...I'm sure there's plenty of others too.
JVC-KD2
JVC KD-1635
JVC KD-1636
Marantz/Superscope CD 330
Nakamichi 550
Teac PC-10
Technics RS-686 DS
Philips D-6920
Sony TC-D5
Uher CR-240

The cassette used in the video can be purchased from here:

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CORRECTION:
The headphone jack is 6.3mm not 6.5mm. The people who already know this know this - the ones that don't don't care.

[EposVox]

Wow, that playback into the camera sounded amazing...

[AndersEngerJensen]

Gotta say, I love the thoroughness and amount of detail you put in your videos, all the way down to the information in the description. Well worth supporting you on Patreon! Thumbs up! :)

[meandmyEV]

I worked in radio in the 80s, left in the early 90s, and when I returned in the 2000s was surprised to find that my new station was still using these recorders. These machines were incredibly dependable.

[YowLife]

Thanks for putting the model numbers and taking the time to ensure anyone who wants one knows how to get one.

[HaydenX]

You are a better man than I for not making the obvious "bias adjustment" joke about news professionals.

[rostlaur]

I still have my TC-D5M purchased in 1981. I had to replace the belts but that's it.
The 'M' model has a sendust and ferrite head that will last forever, mine after 37 years and countless hours of use still has no sign of wear.
The limiter on those units is nothing less than a professional quality unit on its own.
I used the limiter for years when recording concerts and it performed like a true professional standalone unit feeding exquisite Technics RS-1500 reel to reel recorders.
Servicing the TC-D5M is not for the faint at heart, the service manual is a must and available on the net for free.
The main circuit board is linked to many mechanical controls under it and removing it should never be done without the service manual.
Even with the manual; take pictures of what is linked to what mechanically otherwise you are in for a very difficult if not a nightmare re-assembling it.
It is on my list of the very best audio units of that period.

[СергейЩепачев-лл]

Thank You, I'm Яussian and I cry some times while watcing Your «tape videos». Nostalgy, You know...

[meandmyEV]

Really takes me back! I used these in radio news as late as 2004, even after we were otherwise all digital. As a reporter, I preferred these to the minidisc recorders that were also available at my station. We would play the tape into the computer for digital editing. In another video, you talk about the high sound quality you can achieve with cassettes and it reminded me of this machine. They sounded great when paired with a high quality mic. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane!

[KurtGrosser]

Techmoan: Come for the Content, Stay for the Muppets.

[longhairedtechie]

I bought my TC-D5M on 1986, and recorded a lot of Dead shows with it.
Awesome deck. I still have it.

If you looked at the tapers section at a typical Dead show, D5's were the predominant recorder, followed by WM-D6's, and then everything else.
Stacks of D5's were the norm, with multiple recorders daisly-chained off a single set of microphones.

One useful trick on the D5's, is that if you hold down the REC button when stopping the transport, the electronics stay active, and anyone daisy-chained downstream of you does not have their feed interrupted.

[plushifoxed]

Man, the industrial design of that thing is gorgeous... I miss when Sony had really great design on its stuff. Though of course you had to pay well for that design.

[preparationhijklmnop]

I'm pretty sure you are the only person on YouTube doing this type of thing in this depth. I watch every new video you make. Keep it going.

[chrysanth.]

I echo what other people have been saying, these videos have helped me a lot in my own presentations for college and whatnot. I think it's the thoroughness mixed with the occasional content-relevant humor which makes these videos a nice guide while also being really informative about obscure technology.

[ashknoecklein]

When you see piles of vintage sound tech at flea markets and tag sales, it's hard to tell what something is at a glance. I love how you describe exactly what all these things do!

[neilgrundy]

Top quality gear from the last century. I'm talking about the shirt. No idea about the cassette deck.

[warriordrum]

Rod's humor aside, these videos are going to prove to be historical and important. This channel rocks and I am a solid subscriber. Thanks for your video standards Techmoan!

[id]

I'm riding on my horse while listening to my walkman right now! I wear huge 80s style sunglasses and I got a Denim jacket with huge Marlboro sign on the back and I gotta tell you: I feel like a badass!

[MrMarci]

I gotta say the D5 looks astonishingly good, i love the looks of all the connectors and nobs in such a tiny space.
I adore techy looking stuffs

[ahmedrisha]

this was so amazing how these "retro" stuff where so sophisticated and well made to have amazing longevity, unfortunately most stuff these day are more commercial.
honestly this channel is just amazing and give a great idias for something didn't know it exist.

[theodoretreinen]

i've had a superscope/marantz cd320 "professional" portable cassette deck since 1979. which at that time was $150, that came with dolby, dual flywheel, servo control, mic att, tape type etc, that has worked flawlessly since i've had it.. It does take 4 d cells, but can be plugged into the wall without an adapter. Its a heavy brute but the heads are in mint condition, and it has great sound. Unfortunately, the belts went out on it. i was gonna pitch it until i saw some of your videos on bring vintage equipment back to life. i was able to find replacement belts on ebay and was able to change after cleaning off all the rubbery goo. I'm now cleaning the goo of some of the electronics. Hopefully, i will get it back together soon and be using it again. Thanks Techmoan for helping me save my cd320 from the landfill!!!