Opinions on good open reel decks

[Bob Track]

I'm interested in buying an open reel deck for strictly playing pre-recorded tapes. I had one years ago and I'm sorry i got rid of it. I need some suggestions on some good ones and price is not an issue because I know the ones I've seen on E-Bay and Audiogon are not that expensive.
Please some suggestions
Thanks

[Clay]

I had and have a Sony TC-250 and it worked and works well for that purpose.
I think the Pioneer RT 707 looks really cool.

Back when I was selling stereos we liked the Akai decks since they had a great glass (GX?) head.

[Lord Hawthorne]

Of all the reel decks I've worked and played with, I'd say that the Teac "X" series of the 1980s are the best consumer models. Seek out the X-5 or X-7. Of course, the Teac A 3340 or A 3440 can't be beat for four channel work, although they don't play at 3.75 ips.

[Bob Lovely]

Bob,

Welcome to the Forum. If you can find one, a TEAC X-1000R is a pretty nice Reel machine. I still use mine to master tapes recorded from CD's.

Good luck!

Bob:)

[Bob Track]

Is there any other places to look for a good deck besides E-bay and Audiogon?

[RetroSmith]

Sure, any high end Audio Store!!!! Folks traded in alot of those decks, especially after Ampex got out of the tape business.

[MMM]

My father once had a Tandberg from sometime around 1966 or so that I'm dying to know what the model is. He swore by this deck and is sorry that he sold it, especially knowing how much I would appreciate it. He only kept it a couple of years because he didn't use it that much. It was a tube deck that played at 15, 7 1/2, and 3 3/4 ips and could accomodate large reels. Supposedly it was the best one they made back then and he seems to remember it being commonly available in the US. A friend of his in the military stationed in Germany got it at a PX and my father bought it from him. I wish I had it.

[-=Rudy=-]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely
If you can find one, a TEAC X-1000R is a pretty nice Reel machine. I still use mine to master tapes recorded from CD's.


Bob--does yours do 15ips and/or have any noise reduction built in? Just curious. I've thought of stepping up a bit from mine.

I'm fond of my older Teac, which I think is a 3300-S. I also have a Sony TC-580, but it has been a problematic beast. I'm looking to unload it, but only to someone who would be mechanically inclined to give it a good tune-up (it needs some adjustments and probably some new rubber inside), or knows a good shop that could bring it up to where it should be. My Teac just seems a much simpler, much sturdier machine.

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Rudy@A&MCorner


Bob--does yours do 15ips and/or have any noise reduction built in? Just curious. I've thought of stepping up a bit from mine.

I'm fond of my older Teac, which I think is a 3300-S. I also have a Sony TC-580, but it has been a problematic beast. I'm looking to unload it, but only to someone who would be mechanically inclined to give it a good tune-up (it needs some adjustments and probably some new rubber inside), or knows a good shop that could bring it up to where it should be. My Teac just seems a much simpler, much sturdier machine.

Rudy,

Unfortunately, no! My machine records at 7.5 and 3.75ips. I only use the 7.5ips. I wish it had 15ips in the worst way. The Teac X-1000R has built-in DBX I that I never use. I purchased my unit new and it has been a reliable servant. I have replaced the Rubber pinch rollers twice, had it in for tune-ups twice and I had the machine biased for EMTEC 900. Considering the age of the unit and the mileage (over 250 10.5" reel masters), it still produces good-sounding tapes. I love the Analog warmth it gives to tracks taken from CD's. One of these days, it will die and then I'll go into Reel tape withdrawl!:laugh:

Bob:)

[-=Rudy=-]

I'm curious to know if the dbx in that reel deck works better than the dbx II used for cassettes. I have a dbx 228 outboard unit. What I found odd was that there were some gain issues when recording onto cassette, but it works wonderfully with LPs. I would think that reel tape would be a lot more stable than cassette, and may be more friendly to the dbx system.

I'm afraid any 15ips decks I've seen are out of my price range. But I also don't know which models have that speed.

[Phil Elliott]

Originally posted by MMM
My father once had a Tandberg from sometime around 1966 or so that I'm dying to know what the model is.

Was it a 72B or a 74B by any chance? A teacher at my primary school had a 74B, which I fell in love with (and that was the start of all my problems :laugh: )


Here's one:

http://hem.passagen.se/sjrobols/taperecorders/tandberg/74b.htm

Originally posted by Bob Lovely
Bob,

Welcome to the Forum. If you can find one, a TEAC X-1000R is a pretty nice Reel machine. I still use mine to master tapes recorded from CD's.

Good luck!

Bob:)

I'll second that - I've got a 2000R, which is an autoreverse model (how vain is that? Great for parties!). Terrific sound ...

If you do pick one of these up, watch out though - these machines are really designed for use with heavier 10" reels - be very careful if loading a 7" or 5" plastic spool onto one of these, those motors really bite!

[Phil Elliott]

Originally posted by Rudy@A&MCorner
I'm curious to know if the dbx in that reel deck works better than the dbx II used for cassettes. I have a dbx 228 outboard unit. What I found odd was that there were some gain issues when recording onto cassette, but it works wonderfully with LPs. I would think that reel tape would be a lot more stable than cassette, and may be more friendly to the dbx system.


I used the dbx in my 2000R - I found it to be very nice. I ended up using it for recording some radio plays for BBC Radio York on it once, served me really well.

[MMM]

I don't think that's it Phil, but I'll have him take a look at that picture later. That doesn't look like it takes 10 1/2" reels or plays at 15 ips. Thanks for the picture - I'll let you know later.

[Phil Elliott]

Sorry Martin; I misread your post.

:sigh:

[MMM]

That's OK Phil :). I appreciate the help. I had him look at the picture, and that wasn't it.