The Sony NT-2 Digital Micro Recorder

​Meet the Tiny Tech Marvel
​with the World's Smallest Audio Cassette Tape (NTC) Ever Made

The Sony NT-2 is a beautiful piece of engineering. It offers 12-bit non-linear 32 kHz digital recording, utilizing the LDM-2 modulation system. The tape itself is no bigger than a stamp! One of its standout features is the Non-Tracking (NT) system, which allows for autoreverse recording on both sides of the tape without any muting of sound. Remarkably, each tape contains two pinch rollers—one for each side! Both reels and the capstan are actuated by the head drum, an innovative design at the time.

​Due to its limited production and unique design, the Sony NT-2 has become a highly sought-after collectible among vintage audio enthusiasts and collectors of Sony's niche products.🥰

These units usually develop an issue where they stop during REW(Rewind) or FF(Fast-Forward) . This problem is commonly caused by the use of 120-minute tapes, which tend to wear out the clutch mechanism. 

​Restoring this recorder is quite a project. Unless you have extensive experience with miniature mechanisms, this is not for the faint of heart. Notably, the service manual does not cover the mechanism section, likely because Sony assumed it would be replaced as a whole. Nonetheless, we'll bring this beauty back to its former glory! 

Here's the unit on the bench:

Main specifications:​

• Format: NT format digital stereo tape recorder.
• Recording system: Helical scan 2 heads, digital recording.
• Sampling frequency: 32kHz.
• Quantization bits: 12-bit non-linear.
• Frequency response: 10- 15,000Hz (+1-3dB).
• Overall recording/playback dynamic range: 80dB or more.
• Playback dynamic range: 86dB or more.
• Total harmonic distortion: Less than 0.08%.
• Inputs: Mic. input jack (stereo minijack, plug-in power type) x 1, line input jack (stereo minijack) x 1.
• Outputs: headphones (stereo minijack) x 1, line (stereo minijack) x 1.
• Power: Alkaline battery (size AA) x 1, attached external AC power adapter (standard DC 1.5V), AC100-240V 50/60Hz.
• Power consumption: approx. 0.3W DC.
• Battery powered operation time: approx. 6 hrs continuous recording, 4.5 hrs. continuous playback (when using size AA (R6) alkaline battery).
• Recording/Playback time: Max. 120 mins (when using NTC-120).
• Max. external dimensions: 22 x 112.8 x 63mm (width/height/depth/including projecting parts).
• Weight: approx. 155g (main unit only), approx. 210g (with remote control equipped headphones, one size AA alkaline battery and NTC-60).
• Accessories included: NT cassette tape x 1, AC power adaptor x 1, stereo microphone x 1, stereo headphones with remote controller x 1, line cable x 1, Lithium batteries x 1, size AA alkaline batteries x 1, cleaning cassette x 1, cleaning case x 1. Operating instructions: English, French, Spanish, German (with simplified texts in Japanese & Korean).

RRP: 128000 ¥ (JPY) (Exc. TAX)

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