The only real direct-drive unit I have is this Teac R-61 data field recorder. The black plastic cover in the middle sits on the capstan motor, which houses the speed pickup rotor for the phase-lock loop. The speed pickup looks like a cassette head. Under the black cover is a motor, the motor shaft of which also serves as the capstan pin. A second motor is present for winding the tape. This isn't an audio field recorder, but a data field recorder for recording four channels of a DC signal from 0 to 10 volts. There are also audio versions of this device.
TEAC had a presence in the data market, from what I can tell a lot went into medical applications where it could record patient live data. The machines are killer looking but I don't think there's any audio cross-over.
From Technics 1978 Catalog, the photos kind of stink, these are really nice looking units but they look plain in these shots.
I'm a sucker for these early hybrids and this is one of the best, the Sony CF-540 and matching TA-1700 Amp. I've only seen one up close in Akihabara, for sale. There's something about stacking portables that's fun. From HiFi Stereophonie 1977
I'm loving the new translation feature on YT, here's a cool video on the TC-2850SD. Holy corrosion Batman, yep that's pretty common on equipment from over there.
An ad found over on X with pricing fro the Sony TC-2860SD, it looks like this has the added protection bar. Superscope had some early models like this that added the protection after the first model.
Can't stop rubbing my eyes, after seeing the photos you all posted here! I like heavy duty portable recording machines condensed in a small form factor design, especially love for that round shaped VUs. My favourites: on the top (never owned, ever dreamed of) all Nagra & Stellavox, Sony TC-D5 and the similar looking Marantz PMD430; So here are my recording walkmans: On the left, not properly a 'walkman', but the only working, my actual car player TCS-310, very nice sounding; then a WM-GX400 with radio and auto reverse, under service; last but not least, like new, but with many (too many) issues a Professional WM-D6 with his external mic.
The Sony TCS-310 is a neat model, I've got the very similar Fisher, Sanyo and Toshiba's that were more for the casual recorders but are still big and chunky with some weight to them. Shortly after most models had serious downsizing.
I found this ad from 1976 for Nakamichi with pricing for several tape decks. So the 700 would go for $4800.00 today! Toad HiFi had a big show so I imagine the pricing wasn't discounted except maybe the last day so they didn't have to bring it back to the warehouse. I do know that the 700 is packed with electronics, not an empty box like a Marantz 5010, if you were comparing side x side you'd see (through the venting) and feel the differences.
Ahhh Nacks! Nothing to add! Actually they got rid of inflation and are costing much much more than. About TCS-310 I love the heavy weight and this nice feature:
Sony TC-1535D from 1976. I have no proof but I feel like Superscope might have copied these for their own PMD Line a few years later, right before Sony dropped them as a tape machine distributor in the USA.
A few weeks ago I finally found this TEAC field recorder. For me the circle has come full circle. My love for cassette recorders started around 2003 when I got the TEAC R61 date recorder that I posted earlier in this thread. It was the first in my fairly extensive collection of cassette players. This new one completes it The machine is fully functional. I gave it extensive maintenance and repaired it where necessary. She takes beautiful recordings and the play back is super nice. I find it amazing that something so old can achieve such great performances! Performance-wise I can best compare it with the Sony TC-D5pro2. In a short period of time, this device has become my favorite machine for making mixtapes
Great find! The controls seem pretty simple, I wonder if it was designed to be easy to control without having to look at the unit. I'm assuming the user would have this on a strap and a mic in the other hand.
