Lets see your reel to reel tape deck

[garysrq]

I just picked up a Akai GX636 last friday - no pictures of the actual machine , but a stock photo.

Had a chance to play around a little bit this weekend - nice machine

check out this site on customized R2R - great stuff

[vintage_tube]

Of course I'm very attached to this deck -- bought new in Nov '75 near the end of the R-R era. One of 50 in two tone with large blue VU meters (200 made total; 150 in all silver w/yellowish VU meters). It's been written; probably the best Akai deck next to the 1000 series).

More info here:

http://www.audioaficionado.org/gener...-sciences.html

Bob

[RoadDawgWest]

I ran across a Sony TC758 reel to reel today. For a unit from the 70's it looked in OK shape. Owner said it works, but did not fire it up. Don't know much about them. Anyone have experience with this machine or owned one?

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by RoadDawgWest

I ran across a Sony TC758 reel to reel today. For a unit from the 70's it looked in OK shape. Owner said it works, but did not fire it up. Don't know much about them. Anyone have experience with this machine or owned one?

Nope, had a TC-580 and TC-730 which came out a few years prior to TC-758. Liked 'em both though. The TC-758 here:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EW1NMZdq8M]Sony TC-758 Reel to Reel (1974) - YouTube[/ame]

Best

Bob

[RoadDawgWest]

Bob,
Thanks. Been searching for all the information I can find since getting back home. Even if the unit is in working condition it sounds like I really need to consider replacing capacitors due to the age. Any advice you give to a novice reel-to-reel user before considering the purchase?

[TOGA]

Hello,
these two are still on display in my listening room. They're my dad's.
I remember I saw them both in action when I was a little kid. What
made me enjoy most at that time was when my dad pushed a fast forward
or rewind buttons and the moment that the end of tape detached from the then emptied reel.
Toga

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by RoadDawgWest

Bob,
Thanks. Been searching for all the information I can find since getting back home. Even if the unit is in working condition it sounds like I really need to consider replacing capacitors due to the age. Any advice you give to a novice reel-to-reel user before considering the purchase?

Sorry, I saw this the other day & started looking around and got side tracked. The capacitors in many Sonys and others for that matter are hard wired -- so it is a bit of a pain to address -- but doable. That is probably a good idea, but; also take a look at the heads prior to purchase (bring a magnifying glass w/you). You can tell if they have been abused by a visual. Many decks are pristine inside if in a normal environment & many parts are available from 'salvageable' units on the 'net.'

There are repair/tune up services available as well, but, some of the better ones require shipping -- which is not a good idea with a vintage R-R. Infact that is what I dreaded on seeking such with my 400D. I was not willing to ship it; but, would have transported it quite some distance to the right shop.

Regarding the Sony, if it works, and the price is reasonable then it's a personal decision. I like the fact it has 10 1/2 inch reels -- just so cool on a R-R IMO.

Let us know.

Best

Bob

[GaryProtein]

I don't have a current photo, and I still have the machine, but when I was 13 years old I bought a brand new Tandberg 64X. My friend and I used his and mine for taping in our underground radio station in junior high and high school. The freakin' feds never got us!

In retrospect, I should have gotten the Revox A77. They were the same price, but people had told me the Tandberg 64X sounded better. Unfortunately (for me), the mechanics of the Revox and that it has 10 inch reels would have been a better choice for me.