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Best Home Domestic Reel to Reel

Digiverse

Digiverse

Active Member
Hi Guys, I am in the market for a domestic reel to reel player, I wish to record onto said machine from my vinyl collection, so hi fidelity is desired. I have very marginal experience in using reel to reel, I have here a small short list of what I have found so far that are for sale, Teac A2300S, Teac A 4020 Bi-Directional, Teac A2300SX, Akai GX620, Revox A77 Mark IV, Akai M8, Otari MX5050 and Akai 1710 W, I am leaning towards the Teac A2300S, what do you guys think ? also, I intend to do some home recording of myself live. Thanks. Groovetube.
 
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Here is my short list of recommended home machines:

ReVox A 77 Mk III and Mk IV
ReVox B 77
Teac A series (X series are better to avoid, the DC capstan motors and motor switches less robust)
Pioneer RT 707
Pioneer RT 1020 and relatives are superb machines, I recommend those a great deal to anyone.
3 motor/3 head better Sony machines if in top condition only
Crown 700 and 800 series

Otari is mainly geared to 1/2 track Stereo recording. The MX 5050 B II does play back 1/4 track tapes and can be used on slow speeds. But more professional/broadcast oriented so consider that. If you want a 1/2 track machine, I recommend them highly. I assume being home that you want 1/4 track and slow speeds a la 3 3/4 IPS/ 7 1/2 IPS. I do not recommend Akais in the USA due to parts supplies very unobtainable, especially non relappable, unobtainable heads, many of which do not meet spec. In Europe, Akais are more recommendable due to the Akai agents having kept parts stock in good supply. Rank represented Akai in most of Europe and did the best job of being Akai agents. In the USA, Akai didn't have anything as good in the USA behind them. Regardless, I do not recommend the GX 77 at all. Very weak motors.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Here is my short list of recommended home machines:

ReVox A 77 Mk III and Mk IV
ReVox B 77
Teac A series (X series are better to avoid, the DC capstan motors and motor switches less robust)
Pioneer RT 707
Pioneer RT 1020 and relatives are superb machines, I recommend those a great deal to anyone.
3 motor/3 head better Sony machines if in top condition only
Crown 700 and 800 series

Otari is mainly geared to 1/2 track Stereo recording. The MX 5050 B II does play back 1/4 track tapes and can be used on slow speeds. But more professional/broadcast oriented so consider that. If you want a 1/2 track machine, I recommend them highly. I assume being home that you want 1/4 track and slow speeds a la 3 3/4 IPS/ 7 1/2 IPS. I do not recommend Akais in the USA due to parts supplies very unobtainable, especially non relappable, unobtainable heads, many of which do not meet spec. In Europe, Akais are more recommendable due to the Akai agents having kept parts stock in good supply. Rank represented Akai in most of Europe and did the best job of being Akai agents. In the USA, Akai didn't have anything as good in the USA behind them. Regardless, I do not recommend the GX 77 at all. Very weak motors.
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Why not the RT-909?
 
groovetube said:
I am leaning towards the Teac A2300S, what do you guys think ?
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If you're thinking TEAC A-2300 go for the SX version. It has improved electronics, bigger brighter meters that are easier to read, a cue / review lever and other improvements. Great machine, but be prepared to do a little work (this goes for any machine) to get it up to snuff. They typically have sticking pinch roller mechanisms but it's not very hard to repair.
 
Pioneer RT 909 excellent, but has the same weak capstan motor as the Teac X series does. If mint and low hours a fine machine, but overpriced to my mind.
 
I bought two used teac"s one is a2300sx and the other is the a3300sx. they are good solid machines. Had them both serviced at a reasonable price. They work very well and are built like tanks. Just make sure if you lean towards one of these that the heads are in good condition.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Pioneer RT 909 excellent, but has the same weak capstan motor as the Teac X series does. If mint and low hours a fine machine, but overpriced to my mind.
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I know what you mean. I restored a 909 and didn't get why the capstan motor was so much smaller than the reel motors, especially considering it's a dual capstan drive.
 
Hi, Thanks for the input guys, just for the record, I live in Australia, so how was akai represented here ? I do like the Akai M8, I have also come across a Tandberg 9100X, The Teac 2300S is actually half the price of the Teac 2300SX, money talks, so I am leaning towards that Teac 2300S for that reason, any more thoughts on these machines. Thanks. Groovetube.
 
Hi, I have not come across that one, I am only asking about the ones that I have listed here as I can buy these machines now, also, what about the akai 1880 L ? Thanks. Groovetube.
 
The Tandberg 9100x could easily be the best sounding machine on that short list, but it'll also be the most challenging for repair/maintenance if for no other reason than the dwindling supply of spare parts.

John
 
I have a Tandberg 9200XD, and it's a wonderful-sounding machine, but as jdurbin noted, that series can be an epic pain to repair if something goes pear-shaped.

I personally wouldn't mess around with an Akai made prior to the introduction of the GX heads.

Sansui also made some excellent machines, but parts could also be an issue there.

TEAC is probably the best bet for a home-use 7" machine that can be kept running with a minimum of hassle and will sound good.
 
Of those you listed I'd choose the TEAC "A" series, much easier to work on and keep running, very robustly built to last for many trouble-free years and a very decent performer. As mentioned earlier check closely for head wear, and of course be prepared to do some work to get it running again if it's been sitting unused for a long time.
 
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I think the best home domestic machine is a Technics RS-1500 or 1506.

You get it all: 3 speeds, 3 eq and bias settings, playback for both consumer and pro tapes, and one of the best transports out there for the money. On top of everything else, you can simply unplug and swap the head block IF you ever needed to convert the machine's track format.

I know teac's are tanks, but the Technics is the best combination of features and usability in one machine. The Technics will likely need some work, but it is so well built and engineered that once up to snuff it should run another 30 years.
 
Hi, I really appreciate everyone's input here, with all of your help and insights I am narrowing my choice down, so, what about teac a2300s vs teac a4020 bi directional, which is the better one ? I will be playing pre recorded tapes as well as ones I will make myself, also any thoughts on the akai m8 ? Thanks. Groovetube.
 
The M8 is a great amp donor. For some rather perverse reason, Akai decided to give each chunk of that design its own power supply and chassis, rather than using one large transformer to drive everything.
 
groovetube said:
Hi, I really appreciate everyone's input here, with all of your help and insights I am narrowing my choice down, so, what about teac a2300s vs teac a4020 bi directional, which is the better one ? I will be playing pre recorded tapes as well as ones I will make myself, also any thoughts on the akai m8 ? Thanks. Groovetube.
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I would skip the A-4020, that's a very old portable unit that is probably going to need a lot of work and even then it may not perform as well as a more modern deck like the A-2300S (or better yet SX). If you need auto reverse look for an A-4300SX or A-4010GSL.
 
The Akai M8 is single motor. And also not suited for modern tape types. And has the dreaded pot metal cam issues (many crack easily, no easy replacements). The Teacs both are excellent machines which can handle modern tape formulas. An A 4300SX is an excellent candidate. As is the A 2300S.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
The Akai M8 is single motor. And also not suited for modern tape types. And has the dreaded pot metal cam issues (many crack easily, no easy replacements). The Teacs both are excellent machines which can handle modern tape formulas. An A 4300SX is an excellent candidate. As is the A 2300S.
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I agree about the A-4300SX (or A-4300). Own both the 4300SX gets played daily.
 
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