TEAC’s enduring budget reel-to-reels - the X3 series

The TEAC X300-R 7” open reel tape recorder remained on sale into the early 1990s.
A look at the history of the X3 range along with a demo of my early ‘80s X-3R.

Links & Resources
HiFi catalogues etc:

Note in the video thumbnail the * is intended as a wildcard - covering the X-3R, X MkII, X-300 and X-300R

00:00 Start
01:13 Range history
06:03 Features
11:46 Direct feed audio
12:07 Quirks
13:47 That’s Teac’s MO
15:55 Patreon Credits

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Regularly asked question
Q) Why are there comments from days ago when this video has just gone live today?

[frydemwingz]

I had to use a reel to reel as late as 2008 in the military. It was used for data storage, the weapon system it was integrated with was a big frankenstein mash up of old and new hardware, new and old computers, even a modern desktop computer. Every time I used one of these things, I felt like I was in a 1950s sci fi movie. just needed to light up a pipe and wear a lab coat.

[BobEmrich]

Never would have guessed I would be watching a Techmoan video about a piece of tech that I own! I have been the proud user of an X 300 R for half of my life!

[gottago]

I inherited a 60's era Teac player from my father about ten years ago - still works flawlessly

[TheLtData]

Nice video again. I have a Akai as shown in the beginning of the video, love it and the wood on it matches my other retro gear.

[andyyouell]

Thanks for putting this video together. I recently picked up an X300 and was unclear about the relationship with the X3 and all the different variants. It's a lovely machine to have around the place - great sound and a very pleasing (and relaxing) thing to watch....

[lylek]

Dad had a much cherished reel-to-reel that he would play (and record radio stations; don't ask me why) for years. Still, it's not a cheap hobby. lol

Miss my Dad; don't recall the name of his system, but remember it being either light gray or greenish gray. :)

[marks-the-spot]

Always nice to see some TEAC love. Thanks, Mat. My part-time job in high school allowed me to buy a shiny new TEAC A-1230 in 1972. These decks were built to last. With only three trips to TEAC specialists for routine maintenance and one head replacement, it still works flawlessly. I'd say I got my money's worth with 52 years of use. Back in 1971 the naming convention was a little different. The A-1230 was the non-auto-reverse model and the A-1250 was the auto reverse model. I couldn't afford the A-1250 when I was only paid minimum wage, which was $1.60/hour!

One of the keys to the longevity of my deck may be the auxiliary fan I have blowing in the back of the unit. At 3-3/4 IPS the internal fan ran too slow on this deck and it ran hot. I run the auxiliary fan for 30 minutes or longer after powering off the deck to remove all the heat that these generated while in use.

[ms_enj]

I’ve got an X-3II and an Akai DS-4000 mkII, and both run through a DBX noise reduction unit.

Great to see them both in a Techmoan video!

[CounterRhythms]

I like the wooden look and it totally fits the aesthetic of your setup.

[BMScontempchoir]

I have a late 70's era X10. Fabulous machine. Had the odd service and a new playback head over the years but still going strong.

[markpirateuk]

Teac made some very good machines, as did Tascam, I am sure you will be happy with the performance of the X3, but have to agree that the Pioneer is a very nice machine, hope the repair brings it back to it's former glory.

[moreaufamily]

I've seen these pop up on ebay for sale and I have thought of picking one because who doesn't need a 5th R2R tape deck. But I do remember growing up that if I were going to a stereo store and looking at a reel to reel it was a very high probability of being a Teac. They were everywhere. Thanks for the excellent trip down memory lane!

[cheebawobanu]

the late 70's the US NAVY base in Subic had TEAC players and an incredible library. I spent hours there as they were set up to transfer to cassette tape. Fond memories.

[ogami]

There are few things better than waking up on a Saturday morning, sitting down with your coffee and finding a new Techmoan vid. Good morning, sir :)

[dtimboggs]

I have it’s son the x-2000r I will NEVER get rid of it. It still works wonderfully. Open REEL FOREVER!!!

[gregordiseth]

I used to drool over these Teac X series machines as a high schooler/college student! Of course I couldn't afford them. A glorious thing hanppened, a Pioneer RT-909 like his showed up in a used stereo shop in town, it cost me $300 in the mid 80's. It was barely in my budget, but I bought it along with all the tapes that came with it. I was broke for a while, but I still have this machine today. It was worth every penny, and it will always be in my system.

[thomasstrickland]

I worked for Quality Sound and Video in North Carolina several years ago. I know you could get it repaired there. Just in America though. The guys that work there have worked there since the 70’s. I’ve had them do some work recently rebuilding a few speakers and recapping my realistic receiver.

[tocsals]

2:42 not only that, the AKAI 4000 doesn't _and_ can't control tension on the left reel, it relies on the resistance so they tend to have bad wow... (no doubt less when new)

[WC]

Great information Techmoan. I remember those X series when they were new. I would have bought it or the RS version but it was entirely out of my price range back then. At times I was too broke to even pay attention at times. I settled for a $50 used ReVox A77 four track from a car boot sale. I still have it. It too still works well but I have renewed it over the years. One of those A77s would have fit well into your system too. I hope the Pioneer returns soon, ready for another twenty years.Cheers

[EsotericArctos]

My Grandfather had an Akai open reel machine. It never missed a beat. Very mechanical, with the big levers and all, but it just never died and kept a rock steady speed.