The Ampex ATR 102 (or 100 series, as they are called) has long been considered to be a top of the line reel to reel deck for mastering studio recordings. It was introduced in...
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Rebuilding Teac/Tascam Reel Motors
A common recurring problem with many later model Teac and Tascam reel to reel decks that use 24V DC motors are that the reel motors go intermittent, or draw excessive current, causing all sorts...
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Teac Tape Tension/Skewing Problems – X-series, Dual Capstan Models
Several of the Teac X series of tape decks, both the 7” and 10” machines, are dual capstan drive machines, which means there’s a pinch roller and capstan shaft on either side of the...
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How To Straighten Bent Reel Table Spindles
Here’s a quick and dirty trick that works wonders for most bent reel spindles that I’ve used for years without breaking one. Tools needed: Crescent Wrench Case in point here is an Akai GX230...
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Sony Rather than break down the Sony RTR decks by model, it’s easier to break them down into single motor decks, and 3 motor decks, as the common failures differ significantly between these two...
READ MORETechnics
Technics made some excellent reel to reel decks, from about 1977 to 1985 or so. These were the high end ‘Isoloop’ decks with the unique U shaped tape path. The tape handling is excellent,...
READ MORETeac X series
The later reel to reel decks from Teac were called the X series. Both 7 and 10.5 decks were made, in single and auto reverse models. All are excellent performers, but do have common...
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While Teacs overall are reliable decks, and a similar 6 button transport was used many consumer and semi pro models that was bulletproof, they have a number of common problems outside of those listed...
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Tandberg was considered a very high end brand, manufactured in Norway, and they were great machines when they were being sold. Unfortunately now, they are problematic machines, usually with multiple problems when they come...
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