Audiochrome: Cassette tape measurements: TDK SA-X, SA-XS

Maxell XLII 90 (1994) (my calibration reference)

Relative bias: (reference)
Relative sensitivity: (reference)
THD @ Dolby level: 0.62%
MOL400(THD=1%) : +1.8dB
MOL400(THD=3%): +5.3dB
MOL1k(THD=3%): +5.5dB
SOL10k: -3.4dB
Bias noise: -54.8dB, -59.2dB(A)
Dynamic range: 64.5dB

The type II position of my Nakamichi BX-300 was calibrated for Maxell XLII 1994. All following results take this as a reference.

TDK SA-X (1979-1981)

Relative bias: -2
Relative sensitivity: +2.0dB
THD at Dolby Level: 0.77%
MOL400(1%): +1.0dB
MOL400(3%): +4.9dB
MOL1k(3%): +3.8dB
SOL10k:(no stable reading)
Bias noise: -51.0dB, -54.9dB(A)
Dynamic range: 59.8dB

SA-X was a premium type, but one has to wonder what then exactly this premium was supposed to be, compared with the early SA.

TDK SA-X (1982-1984)

Relative bias: +0.5
Relative sensitivity: +2.4dB
THD at Dolby Level: 0.56%
MOL400(1%): +2.4dB
MOL400(3%): +6.4dB
MOL1k(3%): +5.9dB
SOL10k: -2.0dB
Bias noise: -51.5dB, -55.1dB(A)
Dynamic range: 61.5dB

Despite some heavy railroading this tape still performed well, on both sides. Excellent MOL and SOL, but still not really better than SA of the same period.

TDK SA-X (1984-1985)

Relative bias: -1.5
Relative sensitivity: +1.6dB
THD at Dolby Level: 0.66%
MOL400(1%): +1.8dB
MOL400(3%): +5.5dB
MOL1k(3%): +4.7dB
SOL10k: -3.5dB
Bias noise: -54.6dB, -59.2dB(A)
Dynamic range: 64.7dB

Clearly the 1986 tape in an old-style shell. Probably near the end of the production run.

TDK SA-X (1986-1988)

Relative bias: -1.5
Relative sensitivity: +1.4dB
THD at Dolby Level: 0.65%
MOL400(1%): +1.8dB
MOL400(3%): +5.3dB
MOL1k(3%): +4.7dB
SOL10k: -4.3dB
Bias noise: -54.8dB, -59.2dB(A)
Dynamic range: 64.5dB

TDK SA-X (1988-1990)

Relative bias: 0
Relative sensitivity: +1.7dB
THD at Dolby Level: 0.40%
MOL400(1%): +3.9dB
MOL400(3%): +7.0dB
MOL1k(3%): +5.8dB
SOL10k: -3.0dB
Bias noise: -54.6dB, -59.1dB(A)
Dynamic range: 66.1dB

TDK SA-X (1990-1992)

Relative bias: +1.5
Relative sensitivity: +1.6dB
THD at Dolby Level: 0.34%
MOL400(1%): +4.7dB
MOL400(3%): >7.1dB
MOL1k(3%): +6.5dB
SOL10k: -2.5dB
Bias noise: -54.6dB, -58.9dB(A)
Dynamic range: >66.0dB

TDK SA-X (1992-1995)

Relative bias: +1.5
Relative sensitivity: +1.3dB
THD at Dolby Level: 0.45%
MOL400(1%): +3.7dB
MOL400(3%): +7.1dB
MOL1k(3%): +6.5dB
SOL10k: -2.5dB
Bias noise: -54.4dB, -58.4dB(A)
Dynamic range: 65.5dB

Almost as good as the 1990 version.

TDK SA-X (1995-1998)

Relative bias: -1.5
Relative sensitivity: +1.6dB
THD at Dolby Level: 0.54%
MOL400(1%): +2.3dB
MOL400(3%): +6.0dB
MOL1k(3%): +5.9dB
SOL10k: -3.0dB
Bias noise: -55.0dB, -59.5dB(A)
Dynamic range: 65.5dB

Bias flipped around, again, while MOLs and noise dropped.

TDK SA-X (1997-2001)

Relative bias: -1
Relative sensitivity: +1.6dB
THD at Dolby Level: 0.46%
MOL400(1%): +3.0dB
MOL400(3%): +6.5dB
MOL1k(3%): +6.3dB
SOL10k: -1.7dB
Bias noise: -54.5dB, -59.0dB(A)
Dynamic range: 65.5dB

TDK SA-XS (1992-1994)

Relative bias: +1
Relative sensitivity: +1.5dB
THD at Dolby Level: 0.52%
MOL400(1%): +3.2dB
MOL400(3%): +6.9dB
MOL1k(3%): +5.5dB
SOL10k: -2.4dB
Bias noise: -55.4dB, -59.8dB(A)
Dynamic range: 66.7dB

INDEX OF ALL CASSETTES

04 December 2020

Cassette tape measurements: TDK SA-X, SA-XS