TEAC A-380
¥ 65,800 (around 1976)
Commentary
Cassette deck with quick auto-loading system.
It is equipped with a quick auto-loading system. When you put the tape on the cassette carrier and lightly push it, the tape will be set automatically. This mechanism uses a durable and simple mechanical system with a safety lock built in so that it does not operate even if you insert the tape backwards or push only the cassette carrier.
The setting angle of the tape is designed to be 30 ° so that the cassette can be easily seen, and the running condition of the tape can be confirmed by the orange backing plate and lighting lamp.
It is equipped with a 3-step switching mechanism with independent bias and equalizer so that the minimum conditions can be achieved according to each tape such as Chrome / FerriChrome / Hi-Fi.
It has a built-in memory counter. If you preset the counter to 000, it will automatically stop at 999 when you rewind.
There is a maintenance cover that allows easy maintenance of the head and pinch roller.
When this cover is opened, the tape running system such as capstan, pinch roller and head can be seen at a glance, and cleaning and demagnetization can be done easily.
The mechanism section is equipped with a DC servo motor with a built-in frequency generator (FG). Changes in the rotation of the motor due to fluctuations in the power supply are extracted as changes in the frequency of the FG, and compared with the frequency of the reference oscillator to control the motor.
The stable rotational driving force of the DC-servo motor is transmitted to the capstan for precision machining via the polishing flat belt.
As a noise reduction system, it is equipped with a Dolby system which reduces tape hiss.
Equipped with an input selector switch that sends the line input directly to the recording amplifier without going through the microphone amplifier.
This improves the dynamic range of the line input so that the full Dolby effect can be achieved.
The output volume is linked with the playback level of the meter. The output level can be determined by the position of the indicator on the meter.
It uses an auto end stop mechanism. When the tape finishes winding with Play or Rec, it stops automatically and the mechanism is released.
Timer recording / playback is possible by combining with the separately sold timer.
Since the pinch roller and idler are separated during standby, there is no excessive burden on the mechanism or tape.
Model Rating
| Type | Stereo cassette deck |
| Track format | 4-track, 2-channel stereo system |
| Head configuration | Erasing, recording / playback |
| Tape used | C-60, C-90 Type |
| Motor | FG servo DC motor |
| Wow and flutter | 0.07% |
| Early winding time | Up to 90 seconds (C-60 tape) |
| Frequency characteristic | 30 Hz ~ 16 kHz (Chrome Tape) 30 Hz ~ 16 kHz (Ferrichrome Tape) 30 Hz ~ 13 kHz (Hi-Fi Tape) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 55 dB (3% THD level, WTD) Dolby Improvement : 5 dB (1 kHz), 10 dB (5 kHz or more) |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance | Line : 50mV/50k Ω Microphone : 0.25mV/-72dB/600 Ω or more |
| Output Level / Impedance | Line : 0.4V/50k Ω or more Headphone : 8 Ω |
| External dimensions | Width 435x Height 138x Depth 298 mm |
| Weight | 8kg |