Anybody familiar with this model. I am in the process of getting a R2R for the first time. I haven't touched one since I played my buddies Sansui back in around 1976. Any PROS and CONS on this unit would be most helpful. Thanks.

here's a pitcha. workin' on info.
http://audio-heritage.jp/TEAC-ESOTERIC/player/a-4070g.JPG

and a link to a video-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9YSICLp9Kc

and a link to a little info-
http://www.obsoletemedia.com/tapedecks/teac4070g.htm

I think that this might be a single motor machine. If so, that would make this a somewhat less desirable unit, both in terms of performance and reliability.

I think that this might be a single motor machine. If so, that would make this a somewhat less desirable unit, both in terms of performance and reliability.

according to this, it's got 3 motors. (scroll down a bit)
http://www.obsoletemedia.com/tapedecks/teacmodels.htm

It says that about the A5500 as well, which (I believe) is the successor to this model, and I know for a fact that it happens to be a 1 motor design.

It says that about the A5500 as well, which (I believe) is the successor to this model, and I know for a fact that it happens to be a 1 motor design.

this gets curiouser and curiouser...
this one says 3 motors on an a-5500. http://home.swbell.net/damez/reel.html

well, I picked it up yesterday along with 20 tapes. The guy agreed that if it didn't work I could bring it back. Guess what, it doesn't work and he hasn't called me back. The cosmetics are really good and it is a nice looking machine. It fastforwards, but it doesn't play. It did turn once and ran about a minute then it stopped. I had some headphones on but didn't hear anything being played. I really didn't want another project but I fear I will be attempting a repair on this thing. Could dirty switches and the need of new belts cause these problems.

Sorry to hear that.

I'll bet that if you open-up the back you will find a single motor driving that unit as I had warned. That might take a bit of work to repair that mechanism.

well, I picked it up yesterday along with 20 tapes. The guy agreed that if it didn't work I could bring it back. Guess what, it doesn't work and he hasn't called me back. The cosmetics are really good and it is a nice looking machine. It fastforwards, but it doesn't play. It did turn once and ran about a minute then it stopped. I had some headphones on but didn't hear anything being played. I really didn't want another project but I fear I will be attempting a repair on this thing. Could dirty switches and the need of new belts cause these problems.

the heads could be gummed up from tape oxide that was shedded while being used with previous owner. enough shedded oxide could cause the deck transport to bind up and not play very long. or even not at all.
before trying to play a tape again, clean the heads and tape guides REALLY WELL with at least 91% isopropyl alcohol on q-tips.
then try the tape again. it might help.

such cleaning should be done anyway, before trying to play any tapes.

edit-then, after unplugging from a.c., maybe squirt some deoxit into the switches, if needed.
then work the switches many times to work deoxit in.

the heads could be gummed up from tape oxide that was shedded while being used with previous owner. enough shedded oxide could cause the deck to not play very long.
clean the heads and tape guides with at least 91% isopropyl alcohol on q-tips, clean them really well! then try the tape again. it might help.
should be done anyway, before trying to play any tapes.
Possible, but I doubt it. If I am correct, this unit uses a complex one motor mechanism of belts and idlers. And I'll bet that some of these moving parts are bad. Assuming that I am correct, it will take a full overhaul to get this unit running again.

The back should come off easily. And simple inspection will reveal if I am correct or not.

Possible, but I doubt it. If I am correct, this unit uses a complex one motor mechanism of belts and idlers. And I'll bet that some of these moving parts are bad. If I am correct, it will take a full overhaul to get this unit running.

The back should come off easily. Simple inspection will reveal if I am correct or not.

you're probably right. we'll see how he makes out. i hope.:music:

Possible, but I doubt it. If I am correct, this unit uses a complex one motor mechanism of belts and idlers. And I'll bet that some of these moving parts are bad. Assuming that I am correct, it will take a full overhaul to get this unit running again.

The back should come off easily. And simple inspection will reveal if I am correct or not.

Well, the back doesn't come off. It is one piece of wood and appears to be glued to the sides and top pieces. There are, however, vent covers that I can look through and I see what appears to be three motors. It seems like the front cover needs to be removed. Do the knobs just pull off like on the receivers. The back does have a rectangular plastic cover housing the fuses, cord, and a switch to select 50 or 60 hz.

Well, if you can see three motors, then you can safely ignore everything that I have said. Your machine must not be as closely related to the 5500 as I had thought.

Well, the back doesn't come off. It is one piece of wood and appears to be glued to the sides and top pieces. There are, however, vent covers that I can look through and I see what appears to be three motors. It seems like the front cover needs to be removed. Do the knobs just pull off like on the receivers. The back does have a rectangular plastic cover housing the fuses, cord, and a switch to select 50 or 60 hz.
Been talking to a few folks that know their r2r stuff. they say that model is a lemon.
if you can return it maybe you should.
there's lot more fish in the r2r sea.

Been talking to a few folks that know their r2r stuff. they say that model is a lemon.
if you can return it maybe you should.
there's lot more fish in the r2r sea.

Lemon! Just my luck. The guy hasn't called back, yet. I will try and get him to honor the agreement we made. Hopefully, he values his word. I am going to get a R2R one of these days :yes: Thanks to all.

Lemon! Just my luck. The guy hasn't called back, yet. I will try and get him to honor the agreement we made. Hopefully, he values his word. I am going to get a R2R one of these days :yes: Thanks to all.

i'd try giving the deck a REALLY GOOD CLEANING first. like i said before, do the heads, tape guides, stuff like that, they try the tape again.

i'd try giving the deck a REALLY GOOD CLEANING first. like i said before, do the heads, tape guides, stuff like that, they try the tape again.

I am reluctant to do anything at this point until I know if he will take it back or not. If not, then I surely will try and repair it even though I know little about these decks. The play function did turn for a little less than a minute then stopped. Could this be a motor run capacitor problem, may be. One other thing I noticed in the video you sent. When the play switch is activated the pinch roller clicked up and contacted the two metal rollers. This one doesn't, it doesn't move at all. May be it is gummed up and needs a good cleaning. Actually, I know it needs a good cleaning and lube job. The other thing that bothers me is that when it did play, there was no output via headphones and the VU meters didn't move. Truthfully, I'm not sure I even have the tape threaded correctly. This deck has 6 heads and the tape only contacts the two on the opposite ends. The heads in the center don't touch the tape.

I would suggest taking it back, it's a bad lemon you found.
Teac did many good dependable models but 4070 was a trouble-maker, sorry

Just noticed you are up in Austin, find another one, your town has alot of treasures when it comes to reel to reels, that's my "hunting-ground" :D

I would suggest taking it back, it's a bad lemon you found.
Teac did many good dependable models but 4070 was a trouble-maker, sorry


So, I guess I can't make lemonade out of this one :scratch2: The plan is to bring it back. Still no call back though.

So, I guess I can't make lemonade out of this one :scratch2: The plan is to bring it back. Still no call back though.
i still say clean the heads, etc and try the tape again:thmbsp:. it's a very quick and easy thing to do.
you might be surprised.:music: