Sony EL-5 Stereo Elcaset Deck

The Sony EL-5 is a stereo elcaset with Dolby B noise reduction, it was introduced by Sony in 1976 with a recommended retail price of USD $630 and discontinued 4 years later in 1980.

The main features of the Sony EL-5 elcaset are: 2 heads, analog 3 digit tape counter and memory stop, manual tape type selection with support for normal, chrome and ferro-chrome tapes with additional manual equalization selection.

Typical front loading elcaset with the cassette compartiment located on the left side of the deck. Tape eject is operated mechanically and the cassette needs to be placed with the side to be played facing forward in the cassette well.

Level meters used on the Sony EL-5 elcaset are analog needle VU reading meters. Full-logic transport controls used on the Sony EL-5 let it respond to the slightest finger contact for fast and effortless transport function selection. 9,5 cm/s faster recording/playback speed used in the EL-5 offers extended frequency response, increased dynamic range and transient response. EL-5.

The Dolby-B system reduces tape hiss on tapes recorded on the Sony EL-5 by as much as 10 dB at the highest frequencies. To further maintain recording accuracy, the EL-5 incorporates a switchable multiplex filter. When you record FM stereo broadcasts, the MPX filter of the EL-5 can be swiched on to prevent the standard 19kHz FM pilot signal from interfering with the noise reduction system.

To make live recordings this deck has 2 microphone inputs to connect microphones with a jack connector. For undisturbed listening a jack connector for a pair of stereo headphones is supplied. Connection to other audio components for plaback can be achieved by a RCA cable and recording from a source by a RCA cable. All main transport commands can be issued remotely with a wired remote control.