Sony’s first metal tape, introduced together with metal-compatible decks.
Metal Position. Released in 1979.
46 minutes - ¥1250 / 60 minutes - ¥1500 / 90 minutes - ¥2100.
Prices were changed later.
Metal-powder magnetic material delivered roughly twice JHF’s residual magnetic flux density and coercivity: exceptionally high performance that set it apart from other Sony cassettes. The package had a white base with gold lettering, while the cassette label was black with gold lettering. This also gave it a luxurious appearance distinct from other Sony cassettes. It used the same high-precision, wide-window shell as DUAD and other models, with a built-in DP mechanism.
Explanatory Note
METALLIC was Sony’s first metal tape and one of the earliest Japanese metal cassettes, released at almost the same time as TDK’s MA-R. Following the release of the world’s first metal tape, METAFINE, by 3M (Scotch) at the end of 1978, products from Japanese manufacturers had been eagerly awaited.
Metal tape used unoxidized pure iron as its magnetic material. Its strong magnetic properties dramatically improved cassette performance. However, this high performance also became a drawback: conventional decks could not record or erase it properly, so a compatible deck was required. Sony, which also made decks, therefore prepared compatible models and released them alongside this cassette.
Initially only a 46-minute version was available, but 60- and 90-minute versions appeared at the end of 1979. The 46-minute cassette initially cost as much as ¥1250, but its price was gradually reduced, eventually reaching ¥800. It remained on sale for more than five years, until its successor Metal-S was released in 1984.