Sony PCM-3402 digital recorder
   

   This is an unusual reel to reel which was built at the beginning of the digital era, these large format reel to reels are an adaptation from the famous Sony APR-5000 series analogue machines. These recorders were extremely expensive when they came out, well into the 5 figure numbers. Sony first adapted a U-matic video recorder into a digital audio recorder, the machine was not very popular as classical lovers criticised its ability to record the complete harmonics, the Sony DASH recorder was the first machine accepted as being suitable to master classical music.

 These recorders do not follow the same tape format as the U-matic or DAT recorder, instead of a rotary head drum, the heads are stationary, the name DASH stands for Digital Audio Stationary Heads, this is to help the original editors with their editing tasks which they would have been use to with an analogue tape recorder, the tape can be spliced and the digital heads would not cause a audio drop out. The recorder has 10 in total digital heads, 8 audio ones, a control one and an AUX one, the recorders CRC circuit (Cyclonic redundancy check) allows the machine to continue playing a tape even if 4 of the 8 tracks do not work meaning this recorder can handle a high percentage of error.

 Though this is from the digital era, I have been hunting for a second machine but have not yet found one anywhere! though I do not think these recorders are rare, I would have thought the ones around have either found homes in studios or in personal connections.

These recorder record up to 48KHz at 7.1/2 ips, the recorders only reason for being able to record at 15 ips is to make the editors life easier, there is no compression involved ,  the recording format of this machine is suppose to surpass the DAT machine which surpasses the CD.

 

 

 

 

 

To the left and right are pictures of the recorder running in spool mode, the recorder has not been used for some time though was used allot when I  did use it, this recorder was not given a hard life as can be seen from the pictures of the heads.

Under the recorder, the main cards, all working correctly

The Sony logo on the front of the recorder

Main audio bridge

He head block

Main controls

Recorder spooling

Pinch roller

Without reels

Another shot of the meter bridge

Left NAB adaptor

 Included in this auction are the two NAB adaptors, one reel of Ampex tape and one empty reel, both 10.5" diameter. Also a PDF of the service manual will be supplied.

Right NAB adaptor

Analogue heads, erase and record/play

Shuttle control

Transport control

Digital monitor head

 Digital record and replay head

Digital sync head

Video files of the machine working
This recorder has been in my collection for about 3 years, many repairs have been done to the recorder as it was very faulty when I got it. I have replaced approximately 15 transistors, 3 sensors, over 40 capacitors (as precaution) and have had the recorder running perfectly for some time. Recently though, the recorder does not appear to rewind correctly which has been identified to a dual op amp going faulty, the signals are going in but nothing out, these parts are readily available and have been placed on order.
 

A bit of history of the recorder

  

Comparing it to the Studer C37 valve recorder

  

Thought to be a fault, just a design flaw, a demonstration of the AUX chanle.
The recorder is almost perfectly working, this video to the right shows the recorder replaying and fast forwarding, it also shows the fault what happens when the machine is put into rewind or archive rewind. The fault has been identified as a dead JFET Dual op amp, its PN is TL0821P and I have placed the part on order, once the part is replaced, the recorder should function again as before.  
 
 

Specifications
Shipping

Other notes

  • 1/4" stereo digital DASH reel to reel

  • Runs at 7.1/2 or 15 ips (No effect on sound quality)

  • Records at 48, 44.1 and 44.056KHz despite speeds

  • Takes 5" to 12" reels

  • 2 AUX analogue tracks

  • XLR inputs and outputs

  • Over head meter bridge

  • Controllable via RS232 (Computers)

  • has no leg stands

  • Comes with one 10.5" reel of Ampex digital tape

  • Comes with one empty 10.5" reel

  • Comes with NAB adaptors

Sorry, collection only on this one

 This recorder is currently undergoing repairs, it has had a chip identified as being faulty and is being replaced, all IC's replaced on this recorder have DIL sockets fitted under them for easy extraction and refit in case of failure in the future and to protect damage to the fragile tracks on the circuit board.