TEAC A-380 Tape Deck- Anyone know anything about it?

[mageworlder]

Hello all.
I picked up an old TEAC A-380 cassette deck cheap from a local GW. I was wondering if anyone knew the spec's on this vintage audio gear, such as the year produced, belt sizes used, frequency response, sales value, etc. It seems to work pretty well, making quality recordings, but I would like more info.

Thanks,
Mageworlder

 

[mageworlder]

*bump* please

I mainly am curious as to year made. Anyone know?

Mageworlder

 

[outlawmws]

I used to have a Teac A400 deck before it was ripped off 27 years ago. I still have the owners manual if you think that info would help?

 

[Tony75]

I am assuming that this is a top loading deck. I know the TEAC A250, A350 and A450 which were all top loading decks were around from 1973 to 1975 (in this country), the A400 was around 1976 at the earliest.
That said your deck is probably around 1974.
Belt size. I just measure.
Value, if it is a top loader then the value would be quite low on the general market, people just don't have the space above things, they want to stack them.
Tony

 

[outlawmws]

The A400 was a front loader. Perhaps the x50 series were top loading and others were front? Just speculating.

 

[mageworlder]

Thanks for your responses, fellow AK'ers. I wish I had a digital camera. The TEAC A-380 is a silver-faced front-loading deck with Dolby (B, i presume), pretty lighted analog VU meters, switches to select tape type (chromium dioxide, normal or FerriChrome) and mic inputs, fairly typical of the '70s. If you have a pdf of the service manual for the A400, I would be greatly obliged if you would email it to me, or maybe just the highlights if you have the time. I was wondering what you know about the long-term quality and reliability of this model deck if it is used regularly, although it was a cheap find at a Goodwill so I'm not too worried about it. It sounds nicer than several new decks I listened to that cost over $100, though.
Regards,
Mageworlder