RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
For sale: SONY TC-FX5 Stereo Cassette Deck
Condition: Tested and potentiometer cleaned. The Sony TC-FX5, introduced by Sony in 1981 and discontinued in 1984, features Dolby B noise reduction. Its notable features include dual heads, a mechanical 3-digit tape counter with memory stop, and manual tape type selection catering to normal, chrome, ferro-chrome, and metal tapes.
''Important note when tested: When we find there's either a small thing wrong, or not 100% working we offer our listings for parts or repair to avoid unwanted issues after purchase''
Additional Features: 4-mode tape select (bias/equalizer), auto-reverse/memory play functions, Rec Mute (insert silence), timer standby, compatibility with external remote controls, mechanical tape counter, Dolby NR (B-type standard)
Dimensions: 430 × 105 × 275 mm
Weight: Approximately 5.3 kg
Volts: 220v (in case of only 230v. in USA you will need a adapter)
Working condition: Fully working (See pictures for the cosmetic condition of this lot)
Missing or damages: Minor Usage Marks
Does come with fixed/factory power cable.
We ship worldwide.
Will ship to the USA as well. We ship DDP bases (Delivery Dutie Paid)
-Shipping in the EU up to 30 KG (max)
-Shipping outside of the EU up to 20 KG (max)
Please note: ‘'Whenever an item exceeds the weight noted above. Please ask for a shipping quote before making a purchase. The shipping costs are estimated in our shop because we do not know the shipping address.
Picking up the item is also possible. It can be picked up in Alkmaar
Delivery by us is also possible in some cases. Please reach out to us for more information about deliveries
State of listing: If a listing is listed ''for parts or not working'' returns are not accepted.
When we offer our products with the notice ''Serviced'' or ''Fully serviced'' that means the device is either lightly ''serviced'' with a new belt, and cleaned the pots, Or ''Fully serviced'' recapped, Quiescent current adjusted etc as expected from a full service
Should you pay US$263 for a for-parts deck, or does that money belong in a working machine instead? For this model family, that asking price is high for parts; comparable Sony cassette decks in working or refurbished form show up around US$35 for a rough parts unit and about US$54 for a serviced, functional one, so US$263 is ambitious unless this one has unusually strong provenance or a very clear repair path.
What makes it worth considering is that Sony’s TC-FX line is generally respected for solid build and straightforward, no-nonsense playback/recording, and a clean example can be a nice everyday vintage deck. But at this price, the real upside would have to be more than nostalgia: original packaging, documented service history, or confirmation that the “for-parts” label is overstated. If you’re buying it as a restoration project, I’d want a much lower entry point because age-related issues like belts, idlers, and transport faults are exactly what make these decks expensive to revive.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sony emerged from the ruins of post-World War II Japan, founded on May 7, 1946, by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district. Starting with radio repairs and Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the duo secured transistor licensing from Bell Labs, pioneering the TR-55 transistor radio in 1955. Renamed Sony Corporation in 1958—from the Latin "sonus" for sound—the brand symbolized Japan's ascent from cheap imitations to innovative leadership, fueled by Ibuka's engineering prowess and Morita's global marketing vision.
Sony's hi-fi legacy spans headphones, amplifiers, speakers, turntables, and DACs, alongside landmark formats like the Compact Disc in 1982 and Blu-ray. Iconic products include the Walkman for portable audio revolution and Trinitron televisions, blending consumer accessibility with cutting-edge tech. Today, offerings like the Signature Series headphones and ES amplifiers target discerning listeners seeking refined soundstaging and dynamic range.
Positioned as a mid-to-high-end powerhouse, Sony commands respect among knowledgeable buyers for blending mass-market reliability with premium performance, outpacing many pure audiophile brands in innovation and value. Far from vintage relic or niche boutique, it dominates with forward-thinking engineering, holding strong market share in headphones and streaming ecosystems.
See all Sony listings on RADAR.
