WM-DC2C, a line out!

WML ID #170

Manufacturer: Sony

Model: WM-DC2

Nick: C, a line out!

Series: DD

Gang: Dolby C

Year: 1984

Made in: Japan

Initial price: 35000 ¥Today 416 $

Technical details, specifications

Battery: 2AA

Colors: black

Dimensions: 79*109*29 mm (250 cm³)3D size

Weight: 305 gr

Window: yes

Frame: plastic

Case: metal

Carry: pouch

Expandable: no

External compartment: no

Head: Laser Amorphous

Drive: DiscDrive

Tape selector: Manual switch

Waterproof: no

Speaker: no

Frequency range: 40-15000@4 Hz

FMax output: 2x20 mW

Functions

DC in: yes

Record by input: no

Record by int mic: no

Hotline mode: no

Cue: no

Balance (L/R): no

Phone type: 1

Equalizer: no

Auto volume no

Auto reverse: no

Anti rolling: yes

AMS no

Blank skip no

Logic control: no

Hold lock: no

Noise reduction: Dolby BC NR

Radio: no

Remote control: no

Wireless headphone: no

Indicator: led

Description

Essentially a WM-DDII with quartz lock and Dolby C noise reduction, using the same ICs as the D6C (released in the same year).

The WM-DC2 was the final step in the path which led from the world’s smallest personal stereo (the WM-2) to this latest version: the world’s best personal stereo. Building on the already excellent WM-DD2, there was little left to add, though the designers hit upon an area to improve and in so doing elevated the WM-DC2 above all others.

The key addition was that of Dolby C NR. This new system promised even greater dynamic range than had been achievable with the previous arrangement and raised cassette performance in line with the expectations that Compact Disc had brought. To implement Dolby C in a personal stereo required special integrated circuits that were not commercially available, so Sony made their own. As most pre-recorded tapes were encoded in Dolby B, this option was included too. The switches for Dolby and tape type were fitted with yellow indicators that were visible from the front of the case, just as with the WM-D6.

To complete the package, the WM-DC2 was also fitted with a special “laser amorphous head”. This component was unique to the model and was of top quality as well as being unusually wear resistant.

These changes made what had already been an expensive model into a very expensive model. From the outset, it was decided to offer the WM-DC2 as a “professional” model alongside the WM-D6C and the TC-D3. The idea of a professional playback-only personal stereo is not an easy one to grasp, though reasonable sales were recorded throughout a long production run. To aid the “professional” user, one of the headphone sockets was turned into a genuine line-out socket, for connection to an amplifier or a tape recorder.Via Walkman Central (edited)