TEAC A-420
¥ 74,800 (around 1976)
Commentary
Rotary twin lever type cassette deck pursuing quick recording function.
The rotary twin lever system allows quick standby with one hand operation and speedy operation with two hand operation.
In this system, all modes are grouped into two levers (for constant speed driving and for quick winding) for each function. Moreover, when one lever is in the mode operation, the other lever is locked at the STOP position, so that the two levers do not enter the mode operation simultaneously, thereby preventing operational errors.
Uses a horizontal opening cassette holder of the same type as A-400. In addition, the ejector lever is a push button type, and when lightly pressed, the cassette holder opens at 45 ° for smooth tape insertion and removal.
The cassette holder of the A-420 can be opened at 90 °. In addition, when the operation lever is set to PLAY, the head is pushed forward so that cleaning and degaussing can be done easily.
When the tape is fully wound during Play/Rec / Fast Forward / Rewind, the automatic end stop mechanism is activated to automatically release the mechanism, and the Tape Stop Indicator flashes red.
The indicator also flashes when the constant-speed lever is in PAUSE mode or when timer recording is set to REC mode to indicate that recording is on standby.
In order to detect an instantaneous excessive input that cannot be displayed by the level meter, an independent LED peak level indicator is mounted on the right and left sides that turns on for an input of + 6 dB or more.
Timer recording is possible by combining the timer sold separately.
During standby, since the pinch roller and idler are separated, no excessive burden is placed on the mechanism.
Microphone and line mixing is possible.
FG servo DC motor is adopted for the mechanism part.
Equipped with a special amplifier for microphone.
HD ferrite head is used for the head.
Equipped with a Dolby system.
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 | 0.08% |
| Early winding time | Up to 100 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 : 60mV/50k Ω Microphone : 0.25mV/-72dB/600 Ω or more |
| Output Level / Impedance | Line : 0.775V/50k Ω or more Headphone : 8 Ω |
| External dimensions | Width 440x Height 155x Depth 285 mm |
| Weight | 7.9kg |