Page 39 - Hi-Fi_News_-_December_2020 video

INVESTIGATION

SONY TC-350
Basic, nay crude, 7in spools-only, devoid of frills, but (I am not
kidding) amazing sound! Friction transport, so if a tape breaks,
it doesn’t stop the tape from unspooling, but hey, I’ve seen
these for £20, so don’t grumble. Yes – two tenners. I use my
’350 daily. £150-£200 should get you something in perfect
condition, or walk away. It must be emphasised that in so
many ways this is the ideal machine for those who aren’t 100%
committed to the idea of delving into the world of reel-to-reel
tape, but are at the very least curious. I cannot emphasise what
a dirt-cheap way this is to at least try the format.
This is proper Japanese engineering, in a machine that is so
user-friendly that no manual is needed if you’ve used a tape
deck before. What’s more, it’s so light and compact as to be
almost portable. Yes, it’s so basic that it doesn’t even have
locking spindles – the spools here are held in place by rubber
grips which you’ll mistake for the feet of an amplifier. And the

TC-350 is clunky. You cannot leave it playing alone (see above
about tape unspooling.) But the sound! And all for the cost of
four Big Macs! This is a deck that deserves to heard.

TEAC X-SERIES
The ‘pretty ones’, eg, the X3 (pictured), X7, etc, because they
were plentiful, robust, sound great and remain affordable,
unlike the X-1000, X-2000, etc, which shot up in price after a
starring role in Pulp Fiction. 7in spool-only examples start at
£250, 10in spool models from £500. Fabulous decks.

TECHNICS RS-1500/1700
This is the 3-speed (3¾, 7½ and 15ips), 7in/10in spool deck MY ADVICE?
du jour, the later variants playing ¼- and ½-track [see p131]. Spend at least a month scouring eBay, try to visit one of the
The only thing this NAB deck doesn’t do that Otari’s MX5050 Tonbridge Audiojumbles, when it restarts, contact one of the
[p35] does is offer CCIR EQ as well. Prices are going crazy, many companies servicing decks for quotes, stick to a budget
because high-enders adore this deck and it’s favoured by the and take your time. If you want one machine that does
refurbishing companies who are buying up donor machines. everything, the Otari MX5050 [p35] and Technics RS-1500
This means allowing at least £1200-£1500 for working [opposite] will never disappoint. If like me you only want to
samples and then adding £200-£400 for the auto-reverse play vintage pre-recorded tapes, you can get away with any
RS-1700. And if that’s daunting, one reseller of completely machine without 10in spool capability and save a lot. Shop
rebuilt, customised units asks $8000-$12,000. And I promise around, budget for a full service and expect problems. But
you: prices are rising faster than those of any other deck. the sound will make it all worthwhile. Happy hunting!

DECEMBER 2020 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 39