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Sony DTC-75es

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drchris78

New Member
Greetings one and all. I picked up a Sony DTC-75ES and it would not play or record. I replaced the rotary gear and now it attempts to play and record. I say ATTEMPTS because it goes through the motions of playing or recording.

At first I got no sound on playback. Then I cleaned the heads and I get some sound on and off now. It sounds somewhat distorted then it is clean audio then silent and so on.

So I am wondering if it is the tape that I am using. It is not a true DAT tape. It is a Imation DAT72 data cartridge tape. I have seen someone use these tapes on youtube on this exact same deck with no problems.

I also heard from another source that the data storage tapes are a thinner tape.

So do you think this is a tape issue or something with the head itself on the deck, seeing as how I started hearing distorted audio after cleaning head?

Many thanks

Christopher
 
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Hi,

With that particular model:
- The S1, T1 and the slanted guides are probably loose and falling out causing misalignment
- The SMD electrolytic caps in the RF amp are definitely leaking - causing dropouts, errors. The electrolyte is slowly but surely eating the traces away.
- T1, S1 guides may not extend fully due to dried grease on the guide track + in the loading gear assembly.

Have you adjusted the rotary encoder to specs as per the SM?

I would strongly recommend a full disassembly and relube especially at the loading ring assembly. Due to the hardened grease, the two gears driving it will be broken soon as well.

To play a DDS tape, you want your tape path clean like below: (you can see the epoxy as well on the bottom of the S1, T1 guides)
You also want your torques within spec. (Brake pads are often fell off their places and need reattaching)
Gg5lzlZh.jpg


As for cleaning, I only recommend manual cleaning (careful at the heads).

In short, this is the bare minimum if you are planning long term.

Hope it helps

Cheers,
Julius
 
Last edited:
Thank you for all of your detailed information. Upon inspection of the guides, I notice one screw appears to be loose. I have attached photos. Could this be issue and what sort of screwdriver would best to tighten screw?

I did adjust the rotary encoder as per SM instructions.

5F4XsZZ

BjQM9zp

FWrKgTC

nwN4XF4



Juliuswws said:
Hi,

With that particular model:
- The S1, T1 and the slanted guides are probably loose and falling out causing misalignment
- The SMD electrolytic caps in the RF amp are definitely leaking - causing dropouts, errors. The electrolyte is slowly but surely eating the traces away.
- T1, S1 guides may not extend fully due to dried grease on the guide track + in the loading gear assembly.

Have you adjusted the rotary encoder to specs as per the SM?

I would strongly recommend a full disassembly and relube especially at the loading ring assembly. Due to the hardened grease, the two gears driving it will be broken soon as well.

To play a DDS tape, you want your tape path clean like below: (you can see the epoxy as well on the bottom of the S1, T1 guides)
You also want your torques within spec. (Brake pads are often fell off their places and need reattaching)
Gg5lzlZh.jpg


As for cleaning, I only recommend manual cleaning (careful at the heads).

In short, this is the bare minimum if you are planning long term.

Hope it helps

Cheers,
Julius
Click to expand...
Juliuswws said:
Hi,

With that particular model:
- The S1, T1 and the slanted guides are probably loose and falling out causing misalignment
- The SMD electrolytic caps in the RF amp are definitely leaking - causing dropouts, errors. The electrolyte is slowly but surely eating the traces away.
- T1, S1 guides may not extend fully due to dried grease on the guide track + in the loading gear assembly.

Have you adjusted the rotary encoder to specs as per the SM?

I would strongly recommend a full disassembly and relube especially at the loading ring assembly. Due to the hardened grease, the two gears driving it will be broken soon as well.

To play a DDS tape, you want your tape path clean like below: (you can see the epoxy as well on the bottom of the S1, T1 guides)
You also want your torques within spec. (Brake pads are often fell off their places and need reattaching)
Gg5lzlZh.jpg


As for cleaning, I only recommend manual cleaning (careful at the heads).

In short, this is the bare minimum if you are planning long term.

Hope it helps

Cheers,
Julius
Click to expand...
Juliuswws said:
Hi,

With that particular model:
- The S1, T1 and the slanted guides are probably loose and falling out causing misalignment
- The SMD electrolytic caps in the RF amp are definitely leaking - causing dropouts, errors. The electrolyte is slowly but surely eating the traces away.
- T1, S1 guides may not extend fully due to dried grease on the guide track + in the loading gear assembly.

Have you adjusted the rotary encoder to specs as per the SM?

I would strongly recommend a full disassembly and relube especially at the loading ring assembly. Due to the hardened grease, the two gears driving it will be broken soon as well.

To play a DDS tape, you want your tape path clean like below: (you can see the epoxy as well on the bottom of the S1, T1 guides)
You also want your torques within spec. (Brake pads are often fell off their places and need reattaching)
Gg5lzlZh.jpg


As for cleaning, I only recommend manual cleaning (careful at the heads).

In short, this is the bare minimum if you are planning long term.

Hope it helps

Cheers,
Julius
Click to expand...
 

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First, I would clean the heads again, using IPA soaked paper bands hold against the drum while rotating with a finger.

Then, I would check that F guide freely moves.

This screw is supposed to secure guide height setting. If it is loose, someone have probably messed with the setting. Memorize the actual height setting and try to rotate the guide about 1/8 turn in both direction.
 
You are welcome!
The phillips screws are called setscrews. These should be somewhat tight as they lock the whole guide from spinning on its own, thus misaligning itself due to vibration.
TmLmjYph.jpg


On the 4th picture, I suspect that the brass insert is somewhat turned judging from the location of the setscrew. Actually it looks like it's not seated properly. (The brass into the aluminum base)
Check if you can push it back in with your finger.
On the same picture I also see grease on the top. Is it dry?

If your guides are loose, you might be able to get the machine playing by properly inserting back.
If the setscrews were loose and the guide spun out of alignment, you will need an alignment...

Cheers
 
I think I am just going to sell the unit for parts. I think the caps need to be replaced and I am not equipped to handle that! Thanks to all for input.
 
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