Project: Restoring a Reel-To-Reel Tape Player/Recorder: TEAC A-3440 - New set of plastic feet installed on the unit.

You can see in the previous post some pictures of the unit, and you can see that it is missing its feet. You can also see the picture below to understand the problem:

There was also missing the feet from the back panel:

I would like to show you below some of the side effects of not using the factory feet, beside stability issues:

The wood panels are scratched and chipped at the bottom.

With help form a friend from United States that is supporting me with parts or equipment hard to find in my area, I was able to find a complete set of feet, you can see below:

At the end my Teac A-3440 looks like below:

One of my next tasks will be to repair the power cord strain relief, the present one doesn't look to good, and I will do it as soon as I will be able to find the original.

Teac A-480: Data Information And Technical Characteristics.

Specifications:

• Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo;
• 2 Heads: Erase and Record/Playback;
• Type of Tape: Cassette Tape, C-60 and C-90 (Philips Type);
• Tape Speed: 4.8cm/s (1-7/8ips);
• Inputs (level and impedance):
• Microphones: Min. Input Level: -70dβ (224μV/10kΩ or more);
• Line:
• Specified Input Level: -8dβ (308mV/97kΩ);
• Min. Input Level: -22.5dβ (58mV);
• DIN: Min. Input Level: -35dβ (13.7mV);
• Outputs (level and impedance):
• Line Out:
• Max. Output Level: +1dβ (0.869V into 50kΩ);
• Specified Output Level: -5dβ (435mV);
• Headphones:: Specified Output Level: -16dβ (122mV/8Ω);
• Equalization:
• EQ: CrO2: 3.180μs + 70μs (for CrO2 tape);
• EQ: Normal: 3.180μs + 120μs (for NORMAL tape);
• Head Confihuration:
• 1/2-track, 1-channel Erase Head;
• 1/4-track, 2-channel Record/Playback Head;
• Motor: DC Servo Motor (FG Type);
• Bias Frequency: 100kHz;
• Operating Position: Horizontal;
• Power Requirement:
• 100/117/220/240VAC, 50/60Hz (General Export Models);
• 117VAC, 60Hz (USA, Canada Models);
• 220/240VAC, 50Hz (Europe Models);
• 240VAC, 50Hz (Australia Model);
• Power Consumption: 11.5W;
• Weight: 11kg (241/4lbs) net;
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 481 x 178 x 330mm.

Project: Restoring a Teac A-480 Stereo Cassette Deck.

This month was a good one for me, beside the Teac A-3440 Reel-To-Reel Tape Player/Recorder, with help from someone closer to the western border of the country, I was able to find a new item for my collection: a Teac A-480 Stereo Cassette Deck.
I will use the same naming convention: " Project: Restoring...", but for this one... there is nothing to restore, it works as it should be. It was very well kept and used. All I did was to clean the Deck and to remove some dust inside; I will post in the next few days some information about the cleaning operation, with pictures.
I am also waiting to receive the Service Manual and Parts List I found on ebay. I will also look for some technical specifications and I will post the information here.
Until then, imagine how Eric Clapton - Unplugged sounds on this machine... unbelievable.

Project: Restoring a Reel-To-Reel Tape Player/Recorder: TEAC A-3440.

There is a while since my last post; there is not so much time available as it used to be last year. But I was still looking for some new items to add to my collection. At some moment, when I received help for my Rostov 105 project I saw for the first time a different reel-to-reel tape player/recorder, a TEAC A-3340S.

Ever since, I was looking constantly for such a similar model. Now I have a TEAC A-3440. I just took it few days ago; I was doing some tests with the previous owner, and generally speaking it works just fine. It needs some cleaning inside, especially some contacts for the electronics modules, and some lubrication. So far I was able to lubricate the pinch roller, the capstan - by removing the dust cap, and the left side guide roller. It plays very nice, I did not test the recording function yet, and it is moving the tape fast forward and rewind, as it should be. It also brakes quickly, and generally speaking it is functioning quietly.

You can see below some pictures of it and one movie:

Project: Restoring a Remote Control Unit For a Reel-To-Reel Tape Player/Recorder: OLIMP DU-005 - Remote Control Unit.

I would like to kindly ask for help from my blogg visitors: I am looking to buy a remote control unit for OLIMP DU-005.

Please leave a comment here if you can help me.

Thank You for your help.

Accessories: Pinch Roller Professional Cleaner And Revitalizer.

I would like to introduce a new section, or new label, to my blog: Accessories. In this section I will post my experience with different products that I am using to "maintain" my devices in good condition or to "enhance" my analogical music experience.

Today I will present a product for pinch roller cleaning. I did some readings on the Internet related to pinch roller cleaning and the general idea is that it is not good to use cleaning solutions based on alcohol or having solvents based on soap. So, until now I was using baby wet wipes to clean the pinch rollers from my both RTR's.
I don't know if those wipes were good or bad, but in parallel I was looking for a specialized solution. I have found this product on the Internet, on a Romanian "e-Bay" like web site: Okazii.ro .

I used one cotton bud to clean my OLIMP RTR pinch roller and also the two rubber rollers on the transport system.
I can see below the dirt removed after 10 hours of use:

I will see if in time the rollers will stay soft and will keep the tape grip.

ONKYO SC-380: Data Information And Technical Characteristics.

I will prepare in the next few weeks a new set of movies with the new equipment I have recently added to my collection.

Before doing that, I have one more presentation to make: my set of speakers – ONKYO SC-380.

I have these speakers from the same reliable source from where I have bought the turntable.

Technical characteristics: 

• Maximum power input: 100W;
• Impedance: 6Ω;
• 3 way system;
• Frequency response: 45Hz – 33 KHz;
• Sensitivity: 90dβ.

Before making new movies, I have one more problem to fix: my camera. The sound recording of my camera is horrible; I will try to use a different one.