Found a very clean little Sony TC-255 at the junk store today- anybody have any experience with these? I am RTR-ignorant.


:no:

Single motor, three head, mechanical (belts and pulleys) tape drive IIRC. A pretty good machine in its day, quite simple looking and easy to operate. Fore-runner of the TC-366, another breakthrough model for Sony.

What's to know? Does it work OK? I think this one has SOS (sound on sound) capability. Could be fun to sing harmony with yourself and practise for American Idol. :D

The Sony 255 is a basic single motor reel to reel deck. I had the earlier 250 and one of these. Wore the heads out but I ran em like a radio. Would like to latch on to one. Single motor,easy to work on and sound decent. Fixed up a couple for two guys at work. Both sounded good for being over 30 years plus. Got hooked on reel to reels again a few years ago. I make CDs at Christmas time from LPS putting it on tape first to get the sound levels right.

Seems to me it is a two head deck like a the lower cost cassette decks and my Teac 450. Sold off a TEAC 2300 last spring. Missed it so much I got an earlier 1230 shown in my Avatar. She was really sad out of the box. Dirty and damaged. Cleaned up nice though. All for $37 buck off the BAY. Three motor three head and better tape heads with very little wear. Used her yesterday and put two mid 80's Lionel Ritchie LPs on tape. Great sound. Going on a cassette and CD.

As a collector, I would like to get a Sony 255. If the heads are good its a keeper. The idlers and belts are an easy fix if needed. Decent sound too :thmbsp: Good luck. If you need a tape to try her drop me a line. Got some extra take up reels around here to. The price is right-----free.

Eric

Seems to me it is a two head deck like a the lower cost cassette decks and my Teac 450.
Eric

You're probably right. Was there a TC-355? There was a 3 head model before the famous slant-front TC-366...

Congratulations to your Sony. :)
It was made 1966, not a 3-head unit, combined play-rec head.
Most of these has severe wear on the heads because the "tape-pressure pads" never got cleaned or replaced.
Look at the rec/playback head, if it has a wide flat spot.
You can replace the head cost: $ 80.00
The 255 was similar to 250, but I prefer the 255 with better transport control.
If you need any help get it running, let me know.
New belts can be found, and the 2 idler-wheels inside can be re-done with fresh rubber. :thmbsp:

Thanks to all for the replies.....VintageTX- no doubt I'll have some questions before it's over with. I have a buddy looking for some tapes at the flea market today for me, since it only came with one empty reel. I'd post a pic, but I left my camera's cable in Las Vegas..........it's very clean, and powers up, and that's about all I know right now..........

Was there a TC-355?

Yup... two of them in the basement :-)

Also a TC-352 and TC-353. Got a TC-353D in the basement, too! Indeed, the first R2R I ever owned was a TC-353D bought used when I was in college. That one is in my Father's basement... in pieces.

[QUOTE=stereofisher]As a collector, I would like to get a Sony 255. If the heads are good its a keeper. The idlers and belts are an easy fix if needed. Decent sound too :thmbsp: Good luck. If you need a tape to try her drop me a line. Got some extra take up reels around here to. The price is right-----free.

I've had my Sony 255 for something like 15 years already. (Bought it second hand with some tapes.) Still in excellent condition, even for recording. My biggest problem is that one of the belts broke, and I can't find a replacement here in South Africa. (Or as far as I could find out, even from Sony!!) Any guidance as to where to obtain one will be appreciated. I think I can have an O-ring manufactured but don't think it will be the same?? :worried:

Audio Novice: http://www.vintage-electronics.cc/sonybelts.html

Damn no tape to test!!Very clean no flat spotted heads,powers up!Came with orig.clear cover and manual to boot.I'm going record guitar practice on it.etc Hope I did'nt get burned I paid 15. bucks for it,HEHE http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-2/958068/CamPic11.jpg :banana: :banana: :banana:

Great deal for $ 15.00 ! :thmbsp:

I just came across your website ,If I need anything I'll let ya know.

Yes, the cyberspace is not so big. :D
If you need any help let me know.

I know this is a very old thread, but are any of the members still around? I recently picked up a Sony TC-255 and it powers on, but I am having some trouble past that.

Thanks.

Yes, several of us is still here, what are you having problem with ? :)

I will try to explain the best I can...

Once powered on you can hear the belt turning on the inside, but the tape does not move. I removed silver face to see if some belts were broke, but they are all intact.

If I barely turn the FF/RW knob towards rewind then the tape will rewind, but if I turn it all the way all the belts cutoff. When I turn the knob to fast-forward the unit just stops, doesn't power off, but quits spinning.

I know that this is a very poor description of what is happening, but I am very unfamiliar with reel-to-reel units so I don't know the correct terms to use.

I know the Sony TC 250 had idler wheels. If memory serves the TC 255 has them too and belts. If the wheels are glazed or slick FF and REW wont work correctly. Is the capstan in play engaging allowing tape to move forward. Also do the idler wheels spin freely? There are a lot of levers that engage the wheels and belts that have grease on them that may have dried, keeping them from engaging properly and maybe why its not FF properly.

Just a few pointers. Had both the TC 250 and TC 255 in the early 70s. Once you get the speed issues solved check the heads. They tend to be a little soft and both mine showed lots of wear. But hey, I ran them constantly. Everyday. Could not afford a TEAC.

Good luck Eric:music:

So, the more I work with it the more I am starting to think that it is an electrical issue. I may try to dig a little deeper this weekend.

Could be the motor run-cap is weak or automatic tunr-off switch isn't working propely.