Sony ES-22T

The Sony ES-22T reel-to-reel tape machine is a rare and highly specialized piece of professional audio equipment from the late 1960s, predating the portable "Newscaster" series (EM-1, EM-2, EM-3). The "ES" designation stands for Elevated Standard, which Sony used for its high-quality, often professional-grade, component audio equipment.

The ES-22T was not intended for the consumer market; it was a dedicated tool for broadcast, recording studios, or high-end institutional use, often drawing comparisons to early Ampex or professional Magnecord machines of the era.

• Construction: The unit likely featured a robust, modular design with individual amplifier cards (circuit boards) for the record and playback electronics, which was common in professional gear to facilitate easy servicing and replacement.

• Speed: While specific speeds are not consistently listed, professional 2-track machines of this vintage typically operated at 7½, ips and/or 15$ ips (inches per second) to achieve maximum fidelity.

• Rarity: The ES-22T is considered a rare, one-of-a-kind machine as it may have been a specialized broadcast model or a precursor to Sony's later, more widespread studio decks.

In summary, the Sony ES-22T is a vintage, professional-grade studio recorder from the mid-to-late 1960s, defined by its 2-track/ 1/4 inch format, transformer-balanced I/O, and its use of all solid-state germanium amplifier technology, positioning it as a significant, though rare, piece of Sony's professional audio heritage.