Teac Reel to Reel decks - what to look for?

[Holy Zoo]

Should I look for an early-to-mid 70s machine, or something from the 80s?

There are lots of decks on ebay from the early 70s for very decent prices, so I'm tempted. But I'd like to get some opinions. Should I splurge and pay the premium for one of the 80's X-series machines?

I don't need anything fancy in terms of features, just a great sounding machine that'll "take a licking and keep on ticking".

[Lord Hawthorne]

I would steer clear of the early 1970s models, such as the 4010. They just aren't worth the work they usually need this far into their future. Starting around 1973 come the models worth having. The four channel 3340 and subsequent models are still workhorses that may need a bit of maintenance yearly, but replacement heads are getting expensive, so make sure the heads are good on whatever you buy. The stereo models are just as good, especially the X series from the 1980s.

[Holy Zoo]

Thank you Sir Hawthorne!

[Clay]

Lord Hawthorne,

How is the Pioneer RT-1050?
1974-1978 15ips 10"
Also are you familiar with the Phase Linear 1000 RTR expander?

[Lord Hawthorne]

Originally posted by Clay
Lord Hawthorne,

How is the Pioneer RT-1050?
1974-1978 15ips 10"
Also are you familiar with the Phase Linear 1000 RTR expander?

I think I know which Pioneer that is, and if I recall correctly, I liked it. I never have used the Phase Linear, so I can't say, but others have told me good things about it.

[Phil Elliott]

I have an X-2000R: it is an awesome sounding machine; and that is even with DBX in use. If you can find one with good heads, you won't regret going for it.

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Phil Elliott
I have an X-2000R: it is an awesome sounding machine; and that is even with DBX in use. If you can find one with good heads, you won't regret going for it.

Phil,

I have an X-1000BR (Black). Certainly, I have been quite happy with it but the 2000 looks like a honey of a unit. I do not like the DBX I NR however. It adds unwanted 'color' to these 52 year old ears...

Mine has the original heads that I keep impeccably clean...still records each channel evenly on 1K test tones...

Bob:)

[Phil Elliott]

Well, the great thing about the DBX is it has a switch - Bob mode and Phil mode

;) :laugh:

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Phil Elliott
Well, the great thing about the DBX is it has a switch - Bob mode and Phil mode

;) :laugh:

So that is why it is labeled: B<---->P :laugh:

Here is a photo of Phil's machine....

Bob:)

[Phil Elliott]

Yes sir, that's my other baby.

Even looks nice from a photo, doesn't it?

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Phil Elliott
Yes sir, that's my other baby.

Even looks nice from a photo, doesn't it?

Very nice, yes!

Bob:)

[Phil Elliott]

Actually mine could use a little restoration - it's auto reverse, and the heads for reverse are in better shape than the others, so I have to record everything backwards :laugh:

Bob, I'm not that clued up on the X-1000R, though I did see one once. Is the 1000-R a half-track machine (I think that's the correct term - my analogue engineering days ended pretty much in 97 ...)

EDIT - I just looked it up; quarter track just like mine (i.e. stereo, tape can be turned over).

I've found some X-1000Rs on Ebay in silver - they look really nice aswell! I'm not seeing much difference between these two models. Is there any ?

[Phil Elliott]

Looks like replacement heads are relatively cheap aswell:

http://www.openreel.net/parts_2.html

Does this seem right to you? For a complete set of heads on the X-1000R, you are looking at $48 each. Are these brand new parts? If so, I'd say that was well worth it.

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Phil Elliott
Looks like replacement heads are relatively cheap aswell:

http://www.openreel.net/parts_2.html

Does this seem right to you? For a complete set of heads on the X-1000R, you are looking at $48 each. Are these brand new parts? If so, I'd say that was well worth it.

Nice price on heads!

The 'BR' is just the Black version of the 'R' - no other differences. My heads are in remarkable condition considering I have recorded over 250 Reels of tape on the machine and I have played back who knows how many Reels. I only record in one direction: left--->right. No reason - just habit, I guess!

I attached a photo of my machine below...

Bob:)

[Holy Zoo]

I just wanted to say - thanks for all the help, guys! I think I'm on my way towards a particular model. :)

Also - I found a great resource, a yahoo group dedicated to just R2R - including lots of info on maintanance and repair:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reeltoreel

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Holy Zoo
I just wanted to say - thanks for all the help, guys! I think I'm on my way towards a particular model. :)

Also - I found a great resource, a yahoo group dedicated to just R2R - including lots of info on maintanance and repair:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reeltoreel

Jeff,

I joined this group late yesterday...

Bob:)

[Phil Elliott]

I've signed up aswell :thumbsup:

Can I ask which model you've gone for Jeff? Don't keep us in suspense :goodie:

[Holy Zoo]

Heya Phil!

I'm looking for a Technics RS1500 (or one of it's siblings). I like that it is 2 track for record, 4 for playback, and runs at 15ips, 7 1/2, and 3 3/4 ips. I lusted after one of these when I was a teenager, so I guess there's some nostalgia going on as well. :)

I'll be able to do my own stuff at 15ips, but also be able to play back the 4 track tapes my dad made in the 60s/70s at 3 3/4. :righton:

[Phil Elliott]

Cool - so it's a professional format mastering recorder and a multitrack/domestic format playback machine? Never heard of a machine like that ... does the 2 track head do repro aswell? Whichever way, sounds very useful :thumbsup:

[Holy Zoo]

It seems to be referred to as a "prosumer" model in the literature I've read. It's not a multitrack in the sense of "4 tracks one direction", but rather your "regular" 1/4 consumer model is 4 tracks, stereo in one direction, then stereo in the other.

From my understanding, the 1500 can *record* 2 track using the full width of the tape, but can *playback* at "4 track" stereo tapes as well. So - the 2 track is for recording and playback, the 4 track head is for playback only.

Now, to make matters more confusing, there's also a RS-1506 model, which has the inverse capabilities: it can record/playback 4 track, and playback (only) 2 track.

Confused yet? ;)

jeff

[Steve Hoffman]

The 1500 is the one.

Record two-track, (no reverse). BUT you can playback those old 4 track reel to reel tapes; they are the ones that turn over to play the other side.

NOT to be confused with 4 track all going in the same direction for multi-channel recording. You would need a Sony TC-788 or "Sel Sync" Teac for that. They record ok, but are not for those who want to "remaster" their own stuff...

[Phil Elliott]

Gotcha.

I must get my machine back (the studio where I worked still has it) and start faffing round with blocks and blades again...

[-=Rudy=-]

Originally posted by Holy Zoo
Heya Phil!

I'm looking for a Technics RS1500 (or one of it's siblings). I like that it is 2 track for record, 4 for playback, and runs at 15ips, 7 1/2, and 3 3/4 ips. I lusted after one of these when I was a teenager, so I guess there's some nostalgia going on as well. :)

I'll be able to do my own stuff at 15ips, but also be able to play back the 4 track tapes my dad made in the 60s/70s at 3 3/4. :righton:

Wow...I've been looking for a deck that does 15, 7.5 and 3.75 inches per second. Does it also handle the 10-1/2" reels on NAB hubs? I'm not exactly stuck on Technics, but other than this lousy Sony TC-580 I have, all the other decks I've seen have only two speeds.

[Holy Zoo]

Yep, it's 10.5 w/NAB.

There's actually a bunch on ebay right now for a song, but they probably need some work (callibration at the least):

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=whathour&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50

[David P. Hill]

I have a Teac X-1000R silver and it is having engaging problems.
When you push start direction button, the mechanism clicks, but the rollers don't go upward towards the tape when the tape suppose to start rolling. Anyone speculate what might be the problem?