Hi all-
Buoyed by success in revitalizing a garage sale Akai 1710w, I pulled my TC-645 out of storage and got it cleaned up and running. Anyone got any experience, thoughts, or criticisms of this machine? What would the consensus be on the Sony vs. the Akai? I love tube stuff(hence the screen name), but the Sony is a bit more modern than the Akai overall. The Akai is a lot easier to thread because the Sony has a post in the way below the heads (what the hell is that thing in there for?). I've heard the F&F heads on the Sony are a fine thing, though. All in all, they both seem to have their strong points. I guess things could be worse than having a choice between two seemingly pretty decent machines to put into the system!
What do you guys (girls?) think?
Thanks
Dan

Hi Dan,

I don't have personal experience with that particular Sony model. But from what I can see, it appears to be roughly a half-way point between the TC-650, and the TC-377, (in that is had a 3 motor tranport like the 650, has the F&F heads like the 377, but it is lacking a solenoid driven tranport of the 650).

http://www.obsoletemedia.com/tapedecks/sonytc645.htm

This has the potential to be a pretty nice sounding machine, and I would guess that overall it is proabably sonically quite similar to the TC-377 (which is a good sounding, lower-end Sony).

My guess would be that this unit would make much better sounding recordings than the old Akai, since it is biased for more modern tape formulations, and has far better heads, and is just a more refined design overall.

I am also a huge fan of tube gear. But not tube R2R machines. A major exception to this rule is the Revox G36, which is one of the very rare consumer tube machines that actually had a 3 motor transport.

Hi all-
Well I think I've got a reason to keep 'em both now! After doing kind of a side-by-side
comparison (I only have one tape!) the Sony may be the better machine to record with while the Akai has a warmer, fuller sound on playback. Neither has had the heads demagged yet (I gotta find one of those wands) but each clearly has its strengths as they sit. There are a couple tapes on the way from Ejunk and I'll sit down with them next week and do more intensive testing. Thanks for your advice Goldear, I'll update this later. Any other input is welcome and appreciated. You guys must get tired of us neophytes, though!
Thanks
Dan

Ask away, we don't mind! :D Afterall, there aren't too many other places for a novice to learn about Open Reel machines, and newbies showing interest helps to keep this great old format alive. :thmbsp: