Sony APR-5003
   

   The Sony APR-5000 machines were one of the very few large format professional reel to reel's Sony made, thought to be the only professional analogue 2-track machines they made, though this machine would be considered to be so good, there was no reason to make any others. The recorder boasts fantastic frequency responses from the slow 7.1/2 to the fast 30 inches per second, the machine was designed to be a mastering recorder hence the ability to handle the large 12 inch reels and the fact that this is one of the few machines with a built in time code generator (Can record an accurate time line on the tape readable on other machines such as Studers).

 This machine uses a very unusual tape path system, unique to the Sony machines, designed to give better handling than the usual dual tension arm system, the machine is self contained with a built in meter bridge metering audio and time code levels, also with a built in monitor speaker. The recorder has other features such a constant tape tension, to prevent loose tape, shuttle control, varispeed control (±50%), Counter and time code display, programmable tape counter memories, time code and counter location functions, hum shields, 3 speeds, and a built in splicing block. These machines have an impressive computerised control panel to set up the levels and Bias settings for the heads, not only can you program between NAB, CCIR and AES equalization, you also have three separate memory presets per three speeds, meaning you can configure the machine to work precisely with Scotch 366, Quantagy 456 and Emtec Per528 at a press of a button and not have to perform the alignment ritual every time.

The machines overall cosmetic condition is very good, some marks on the sides and such, the heads and tape path look absolutely immaculate, the recorders hour meter shows very low hours so either this machine has had very little use or the machine has hand little use since Sony serviced it.

 

Click below to see high resolution copies of the machine, any questions, please email me.

Overall look of the Sony for sale

Demonstration of the machine with 12 inch reels (Not included)

Forward look of machine with 12 inch reels (Not included)

The head blocks are designed to be adjusted on the fly

Push button controls on meter bridge

fold down flap reveals audio ad time code cards

Hour counter shows machine has had little use or has been serviced by a Sony engineer and the machine has had little use since.

Time code head, this machine also has a time code generator

2-track erase head.

Record head in what can only be descried as new condition

Replay head in what can only be descried as new condition

Clean pinch roller and capstan

Side shot of record head shows no wear

Side shot of replay  head shows no wear

Scrape roller shows little to no wear

Another view of record head

Another view of replay head

Another angle on the hard wearing ceramic capstan shaft

Alignment control board, located under front flap

Tension arm shows no wear

Counter roller rubber looks in great shape

Left channel or channel 1 control module

Rich channel or channel 2 control module

 

Time code control module

Left hand carry handles

Internal monitor speaker

Right hand carry handles

Top tape deck in great condition, slight mark on the right hand side.

head block in great condition

main operations control panel

Rear audio and data connectors

Face on look at I/O panel

Multi voltage Power supply.
 
 

SPECIFICATIONS
SHIPPING

NOTES

  • Stereo 1/2 track wideband on 1/4 inch tape

  • Capable of handling from 5" to 12" reels

  • 20Hz - 20KHz @ 7.1/2ips  ±2dB*

  • 30Hz - 24KHz @15ips ±2dB*

  • 50Hz - 38KHz@ 30ips ±3dB*

  • -61dB To -68dB Signal to noise @ 7.1/2ips*

  • -62dB To -64dB Signal to noise @ 15ips*

  • -64dB To -64dB Signal to noise @ 30ips*

  • 4 heads, Time code, Erase, Record and replay

  • Adaptable to 1/2 inch (Capstan suitable)

  • 4 motors, 2 reel motors, Capstan motor and fan

  • 9 different tape setting memory locations for alignment, 3 speeds and three separate memory presets under them, suitable for aligning different tapes to work on the same machine.

  • Programmable counter and counter memory

  • Built in time code compatible with Studers and TLS-4000 machines

  • Low hours or low hours or low hours since last service by Sony

  • This machine comes with Nab adaptors and a mains lead, no other leads or reels are included.

 

 

 

*Using Scotch 266, new Quantity and Emtec tape will perform better

  • £55 UK

  • £110 European Union

  • 225 USA

  • £295 Asia and Far East

  • £355 world wide delivery

This item is heavy and difficult to pack hence the high shipping charge, all items must be checked upon receipt and signed for in the condition they arrive in to validate insurance, damaged goods that are not signed as such will void insurance claims.

 

Collection from Devon is more than welcome, in fact, it is preferred.

 

 A copy of the service manual and supplement updates will be supplied upon request.

This item is being sold on behalf of one of our clients.

This machine is sold in full working order, the machine has been checked over and is performing flawlessly apart from a high pitch whistle which comes out of the speaker for about 3-5 minuets when the recorder is cold, this does not appear on the recorders output or on the recorded tape. The owner will give 30 days" return to base" warranty on this machine, for full detail regarding warranty, please see the Terms and condition page

For more information regarding our terms and conditions please click here