The Sony DTC-500ES is a high-grade DAT deck released in 1988. Designed as part of Sony’s ES series, it was developed to deliver the sound quality of the DAT format while also offering advanced tape operation, digital editing, search and display functions.
The Sony DTC-500ES uses a 2 fs A/D converter combined with a 2 fs digital filter. By doubling the sampling frequency, this design reduces the load placed on the low-pass filter, allowing a filter with gentler attenuation characteristics to be used. This was intended to improve group delay and phase characteristics, supporting A/D conversion that more closely retained the original waveform.
For D/A conversion, the deck uses a 16-bit D/A converter with a 4 fs digital filter, the same configuration used in Sony’s DTC-1000ES reference unit. The D/A converter itself is independent for the left and right channels, helping eliminate phase shift between channels.
The transport uses a 2 D.D. + 1 BSL motor mechanism. Two direct drive motors are used for capstan and head drum rotation, mounted on a high-hardness aluminium alloy base unit designed for processing accuracy and resistance to ageing. A separate BSL motor handles the take-up and supply reel functions, supporting accurate tape running while maintaining the deck’s mechanical precision.
The Sony DTC-500ES includes a digital peak margin display that shows, in dB, how much recording level remains during recording. It also has a wide-range digital peak meter covering -60dB to 0dB, with 24 segments for each channel. A display off function is provided to reduce minute noise generated by the FL display tube.
The deck makes extensive use of DAT subcode functions. It can record absolute time from the beginning of the tape and supports time search using absolute time. Start ID and Skip ID recording are included, along with a rehearsal function for fine adjustment when writing ID markers. Programme number functions are also provided, including renumbering from the beginning of the tape, individual erasing of Start ID, Skip ID and programme numbers, repeat operation and a shift number function that resets all Start IDs in 0.3 second increments.
Tape navigation functions include a four-mode linear counter, with counter display, remaining time display, programme time display and absolute time display. Cue and review are available at approximately 2 times and 16 times speed. Blank search automatically locates unrecorded sections, while autoplay begins playback immediately after rewinding. Memory play allows the deck to rewind and play from the 0:00 counter position.
The Sony DTC-500ES is equipped with both optical and coaxial digital input and output terminals, along with analogue line input and output via pin jacks. A variable headphone output is provided on the front panel. RMS playback can be operated by remote control, and the deck was supplied with the RM-N500 wireless remote control.
Features
- 2 fs A/D converter with 2 fs digital filter
- 16-bit D/A converter with 4 fs digital filter
- Left and right independent D/A converters
- 2 D.D. + 1 BSL motor mechanism
- Direct drive motors for capstan and head drum rotation
- High-hardness aluminium alloy base unit
- Wide-range digital peak meter from -60dB to 0dB
- 24-segment peak meter for each channel
- Absolute time recording from the beginning of the tape
- Time search using absolute time
- Start ID and Skip ID recording
- Rehearsal function for fine adjustment when writing ID markers
- Programme number function
- Renumbering from the beginning of the tape
- Individual erasing of Start ID, Skip ID and programme numbers
- Shift number function with 0.3 second increments
- RMS playback using the supplied remote control
- Optical and coaxial digital input and output terminals
- Separated digital, analogue and display sections
- Reinforced internal construction with sub-chassis
- Cue and review at approximately 2 times and 16 times speed
- Autoplay after rewinding
- Memory play from the 0:00 counter position
- Timer recording and timer playback when used with a separately sold timer