Another Question

oldrocker

Not sure if this in the right thread but here goes. Tomorrow I'm looking at a Reel to Reel. The seller says its very good working shape. I ask if I could test it/give it a run. He stated he had no speakers but can plug it in power it up. Here's my question. Has anyone here ever showed up to audition a piece of equipment and provided an amp and a small set of speakers to test out the thing they were looking at? I'm planning on taking a simple amp, 2 speakers, some wire and rca cables.
Thanks again all.
David

SCompRacer

If it's the only way to know, take your gear with.

It should work (deck to amp, no pre amp) as tape decks usually have lower output impedance than the input of most amps. It’s considered optimum to have a source with low impedance connected to a load with high impedance. The R2R has volume control but the output may be too low to drive the amp loudly, but it should work. A quick check of specs (Akai GX-280D-SS) shows your R2R line output as 1.2v where CD players are typically ~ 2v. Maybe check your amp specs for line in voltage required. Those specs are commonly displayed with a min and max voltage for full output.

oldrocker

SCompRacer, Thank you very much for the info. Gonna take some gear just to verify it puts out sound. Looks like another rabbit hole. I just want one that looks good and the shelf and actually plays.

boston1450

Ask ahead of time. If they say NO pass. I have a pair of Monitor 4's & some Realistic metal box speakers. I bring one set & i have a small reciever i bring. It takes me 4 mins to hook it up completely. If they say no. Then its a no buy. Check with them before you go. R2R's can be costly if they dont work properly unless your a tech. Good luck

SCompRacer

True dat, check all functions including rewind. Repairs are pricey for R2R unless you diy. That Akai you are looking at has motors IIRC, no belt drive.

I've got an old Pioneer in real nice shape that needs some bulbs and belts. Also some felt clutch work. I have it in downstairs retro system as I don't have many tapes, nor do I buy any. The cat digs it too...lol

boston1450

If its up n running good turn the volume down & listen closely for issues. If its dead quite & turning smoothly thats a plus

oldrocker

Great info. Thanks guys...I did not ask if I could show up with some gear to test things out, just gonna have it with me and see how it goes. On a "selfish/confusing" note, I have spoke to a few "sellers" in the past that always say, I have no way to test it but then when you get there they have plenty of equipment that could be used to test it. I know some just buy to resale and thats fine. However, if I ever did sell something, I'd be sure to be able to operate it for a buyer just to avoid any headaches down the road. Oops kinda a rant on my part...

mhardy6647

Realizing full well you're past the committed step ;- ) (and welcome to the club... you'll get your nerd badge with geek first class clusters in the post soon, I'm sure!)... here's a tip. Virtually no halfway-decent reel to reel deck will do much of anything except turn on (light up) -- without a tape properly threaded on it. Almost all of 'em either have a microswitch with a finger that's lifted by the tape (when properly installed) or an optical sensor (a small lampt and an LDR or photo-transistor) so that they 'know' there's a tape to run.

Lookin' through this thread... I thought that was worth mentioning.

DSC_0056 by mhardy6647, on Flickr

(from the collection: a bum-ugly OTARI -- "rode hard and put away wet"... but still quite competent; they're tanks; built to take the abuse of caffeine and nicotine addled radio DJs and "engineers").