Reel-to-Reel Decks You Have, or Had Owned, or Would Love to Own

[Elite-ist]

Hi all,

With a renewed interest in open-reel decks beginning on our forum, I thought it would be appropriate to share in your experiences in the wonderful world of a decades-old format - open-reel.

So, show us what you own, have owned, or even wish to own. And if you would like to find something in particular for your R2R deck, perhaps this might be one sub-forum to post your query.

Nando.

 

[Nick Danger]

Hooray for the open reel!!!

Hi all,

With a renewed interest in open-reel decks beginning on our forum, I thought it would be appropriate to share in your experiences in the wonderful world of a decades-old format - open-reel.

So, show us what you own, have owned, or even wish to own. And if you would like to find something in particular for your R2R deck, perhaps this might be one sub-forum to post your query.

Nando.

Now THIS is what I'm talking about, Nando! I just posted over at Dave's thread before realizing you had started this one and apologize for the repost here. I am getting excited about the thought of auditioning the 635 and pray that I don't like it.

Akai GX 635D info here:

Akai GX 646 info here:

Akai GX 747 ​ info here:

 

[Elite-ist]

No problem, Douglas. I just love all the available pictures with technical and historical details on thevintageknob'org's site. It's one of the premiere sites I visit for gaining more knowledge about vintage audio components.

There's nothing wrong in your approach in selling gear to acquire gear. For the longest time I resisted doing that, but once I had set my heart on a certain upgrade, it made it easier to deal with. If you like what you hear and feel with your buddy's GX-635, and have the money to do it, then it's an easier decision. And he may be willing to wait for you to buy it, if you should decide to.

Nando.

 

[Nick Danger]

No problem, Douglas. I just love all the available pictures with technical and historical details on thevintageknob'org's site. It's one of the premiere sites I visit for gaining more knowledge about vintage audio components.

There's nothing wrong in your approach in selling gear to acquire gear. For the longest time I resisted doing that, but once I had set my heart on a certain upgrade, it made it easier to deal with. If you like what you hear and feel with your buddy's GX-635, and have the money to do it, then it's an easier decision. And he may be willing to wait for you to buy it, if you should decide to.

Nando.

Nando, I was meaning to ask if you had any Akai open reels in your kit? Was there a partiular reason why you sold your 747?

 

[Oldaudioschool]

Now you have my attention Nando. Now I'll have to dig out some pictures.

Here's some Teacs that were once in the stable.

 

[Elite-ist]

Ron: That's the most Teacs I've seen in one place at the same time. Thanks for the picture!

Douglas: I will give a history of the Akai GX-747 once I get an article pieced together. It was the first R2R I owned and the last one I sold. I essentially sold it because I was raising funds towards the purchase of my Pioneer SX-1980. I sold a number of components last year on consignment at Innovative Audio. I don't think I could have sold those components for as much, and as quickly, for absolutely no hassles as I did through IA.

I do have a baby Akai, but I have something in the works with an esteemed member of this forum that would make the Akai GX-747 seem like a child's toy in comparison.

Nando.

 

[Elite-ist]

Akai GX-221

This is an Akai deck I purchased at the Salvation Army for $30, more than four years ago. It's not an extraordinarily rare 7" deck, but it does have some great features. It can record in three speeds, has auto-reverse, and has its own built in speakers and amplifier, so it doesn't require connection to a separate receiver or amplifier. It weighs in at over 40 pounds.

Here it is playing a tape (not my recording), with the track list attached:

Click on image to play video:

Nando.

 

[Oldaudioschool]

Ron: That's the most Teacs I've seen in one place at the same time. Thanks for the picture!




Nando.

There was actually two groups of four Teacs. I was lucky, I sold all of them to two different people. I've had twelve Teacs. And have probably owned at least 50 or 60 R2R's.

Here's some more pictures of the Sony's

 

[Nick Danger]

Ron: That's the most Teacs I've seen in one place at the same time. Thanks for the picture!

I do have a baby Akai, but I have something in the works with an esteemed member of this forum that would make the Akai GX-747 seem like a child's toy in comparison.

Nando.

Can't think of any decks that fall into that category without being a console. You have got me intrigued and I looking forward to the big reveal.

 

[Miracle Mile]

Still in use:

 

[CASSETTE DECK]

Hi all,

With a renewed interest in open-reel decks beginning on our forum, I thought it would be appropriate to share in your experiences in the wonderful world of a decades-old format - open-reel.

So, show us what you own, have owned, or even wish to own.

I can confirm that I would like to experience owning at least one reel to reel tape deck some time in the future when room is available. Right now I have a chronic shortage of space.

 

[Nick Danger]

Still in use:

Very sweet, MM!!! Truly one of the classic open reel decks. I would gladly pick one up if I saw one for sale locally.

 

[Elite-ist]

Ron: It's nice to see those Sonys. I haven't heard of anyone else here on the forum who has had 50 R2R decks go through their hands. Which is your favourite?

Douglas: The mystery deck is not a console, but it's somewhat rare and a vertebrae-tugger on a dead-lift.

CASSETTE DECK: You might get some ideas from what members post here. Yes, some decks, especially the 10.5 inchers need room.

Miles: The classic Revox in action!

Nando.

 

[orange]

I will finish paying Larry N on TH for mine next month! Someday I will own an RT deck and my (realistic) RTR dreams will have been met.

Oh, IF I had only been able to win the RT-1020L at the auction house a few years ago....

 

[Nick Danger]

Douglas: The mystery deck is not a console, but it's somewhat rare and a vertebrae-tugger on a dead-lift.

Nando.

Even more interested now, Nando! I will be sure to keep my eyes peeled for your post.

 

[8991XJ]

I've owned a Uher 7000D, a simple 7" machine from the early 70s. If you see one, grab the serial number, mine was stolen.

Later I got a Tandberg 10x, very nice sounding machine. Enjoyed it for years. Needs a bit of work, cleaning and such now but others have found their way into the sound room. A Pioneer RT-909 showed up because it was the right price. A crown SX-724 arrived needing a full bath to remove smoker's tint and finally while looking for some nice Teac TZ-612s a Teach A-3300SX came attached to the NAB adapters.

I have some tuning to do on the latter two, reel torque adjustment to finish the RT and then when tapes are playing again, I can get into the Tandberg and make it right again.

Always wanted the Crown and then the Revox but the store I worked in sold Tandberg. I'm happy with that it has been a great machine. Hoping the Crown will equal it in sound quality.

And we are supposed to put our reel to reel wants in this thread. OK, I need head covers, top and bottom for the Crown SX-724 machine. Hopefully, these will become available or be printed in the near future.

 

[Miracle Mile]

Yes, some decks, especially the 10.5 inchers need room.

Nando.

... And care & dedication.

Very sweet, MM!!! Truly one of the classic open reel decks. I would gladly pick one up if I saw one for sale locally.

Thanks for the compliments!

I always wanted this one, it's complete with dustcover, the original aluminium Revox NAB adapters and the tape drive remote control...
This deck did some very fine remaster jobs the last few weeks.

 

[Elite-ist]

Miles: A beautiful snapshot of your B-77.

Nando.

 

[Miracle Mile]

Thank you Nando, She's still the tape Queen and the #1 here at home....

 

[ChopperCharles]

Here's my current setup! I just got the upper unit back from a complete repair and refurbish, and had the bulbs changed to blue LEDs while he was at it. (They're not quite as blue and dark as the iphone camera made them out to be). I actually snagged that unit off of craigslist, and it was a wreck -- broken spindle, someone had "adjusted" all the tape heads, the auto reverse didn't work (in fact it only played in reverse), the tension was ALL wrong, and the pinch roller arms were bent. Sent it out for a repair, and got back an amazing machine. It was a test to see how the repair guy does with reel to reels, and I must say I'm quite impressed. The lower unit is my dad's 707, which needs some work, and I didn't want to send it out and risk it coming back all messed up. So I got a real piece of crap for next to nothing, and sent it out. And the machine I got back was awesome, so I'm sending dad's out just as soon as a make a couple of dubs. Didn't want to send out something with such emotional attachment without knowing it'd come back right.

That being said, I also had that receiver serviced by the same guy. He does great work.

This room has a Pioneer QX4000 Quadraphonic receiver, with 4 baby advent speakers. It will eventually have just one reel-to-reel on the shelf (dad's), and the blue one will be moved downstairs, and mounted into a rack with my Phase Linear gear. I built all the bookshelves and the stereo cabinet here, and all of it is attached to the walls. So I can do jumping jacks while the turntable is playing!

I also had a RT-701 that I inherited from my father. I was a fool and sold it. I figured the 707 was the better machine. The 701 worked, and needed nothing. The 707 had several issues. Back when Dad died, I wasn't into vintage audio.... so I let it go for a reasonable price. Wish I had it back now. The 701 was a very quiet machine, and a pleasure to use. Very very simple machine. Wish I could find the guy I sold it to. All I know is I sold it in 2008 to a guy that lived in Chapel Hill, NC. :/ I'd buy it back in a heartbeat...

Charles.