Project: Restoring A Teac RX-9 DBX Unit.

Few weeks ago I have managed to get the newest part of my TEAC line, a module I was looking for some time: TEAC RX-9 DBX Unit. Like for the A-480 deck, I will keep the naming convention: “Project: Restoring…” but in this case also there is not too much to restore, only a new set of wood side panels, as the unit came without these panels.

This unit was specifically designed for use with the TEAC A-3440.

I will come back with a different post in order to present the technical details.

You can see below the unit as it originally came:

Clean and complete inside:

Now you can see below the unit with the new wood side panels:

And finally, the panels after painting:

Overall, it looks like below:

Accessories: BASF Hobby-Box Magnetic Tape Splice Kit.

I would like to present now something I was looking for some time: BASF Hobby-Box Magnetic Tape Splice Kit.

I was able to get this kit with help from a friend from Greece.

You can see below some pictures and kit content:

• Tray with splicer (levers made from non-magnetic steel) and 10m splicing tape 6.1mm wide;
• 1 demagnetized blade (I have received 5 more blades with this kit);

• Leader tape 25m each red, white, green;
• 20 switch foils 15cm each;
• 1 signing pencil;
• 3 tape clips;
• Spool labels 20 each red and green.

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

As promised in the previous post, I will present today what I did for cleaning the deck. I used for this operation a regular dust brush; few cue tips and orange cleaner.

To open the deck you have to unscrew the four mounting screws:

Now the deck looks like this:

The metal cover can be removed by hand, there are no more screws holding it, by pushing it backwards and then lifting it up:

Now you have access inside to clean the dust or rubber remains from the belts:

Next parts which needs cleaning from time to time are the buttons and knobs:

Also, the front panel and the tape cover can be cleaned for a look like “new” condition. Here it is important to use a cleaner that is not aggressive, you can easily remove the writings from the plate and the effect will be very disappointing. I asked around for a soft cleaner and I was pointed to use a natural cleaner based on extracts from orange fruit.

To remove the panel you have to remove first the cassette cover by ejecting the cassette tray and pulling the cover up and out:

Then you have to unscrew several screws to remove the front panel, as you can see below:

In the final stage you can also clean all the other parts left: VU Meters, Function and Direction buttons, tape counter, deep cleaning of pinch roller and heads:

Basically this should be all.

To assemble the unit back, you have to follow the above steps in reverse.