NEW: TEAC AD-800

[Dazen1]

OK it is not perfect, but still good to see.

I wonder if it will get to the North American and European markets?

http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/teac-ad-800-brings-cds-mp3s-cassettes-together

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teac.co.jp%2Fnews%2Fnews2010%2F 20100421-02.html&sl=auto&tl=en

[stuartypoorty]

Daren,

An encouraging find there.

I wonder how well this will be received, and if positively, will more manufacturers follow suit?

[Dazen1]

Daren,

An encouraging find there.

I wonder how well this will be received, and if positively, will more manufacturers follow suit?

On paper, it clearly looks pretty basic but yes, it is encouraging.

I regard any new deck as a positive move. It may be unlikely, but hopefully we will see a few more. *hope*

[Kent T]

It's older sibling was sold here in the USA. It was very popular with churches and in installed PA systems. I would expect it to be sold here or rebadged as a Tascam unit.

[Naknut]

Interesting indeed. Who knows we may see these at Wally World before too long. I would like to imagine what they could do if they wanted to make a truly high end deck again. Maybe if they sell enough of these??

[Dazen1]

Interesting indeed. Who knows we may see these at Wally World before too long. I would like to imagine what they could do if they wanted to make a truly high end deck again. Maybe if they sell enough of these??

ANY new deck that raises the profile of the format can only be good.

Clearly, there is still demand out there. You only have to put Teac AD-800 into your search engine to see how much coverage this thing has got.

[Elite-ist]

Hi Daren,

A very interesting unit. I think, it has enough appeal to attract all sorts of enthusiasts. Just watch, Pioneer or Sony will be next to offer their own versions. Then, we're off to the races! I have an older (90's) Sony combo unit with CD player and cassette player/recorder. It has the capability to record directly from the loaded CD onto tape.

Nando.

[Skywavebe]

For those Teac experienced technicians and others who know transports and the good ones, this tape transport will be a disappointment. That is if they have the same as the past units that were made like this. This may just be a dressed up version of the AD-8. I have never been impressed by these units- better to get separates, they last and work a lot better. If the tape transport has wow and flutter higher than .05% wrms then is it likely not a direct drive motor and just another drug store tape transport that will get worse with time. I recently worked on a Teac model called a W450R and my ending comment was why did they even bother to make this piece of junk.
Before buying anything new it is better to have a look inside.

[Elite-ist]

For those Teac experienced technicians and others who know transports and the good ones, this tape transport will be a disappointment. That is if they have the same as the past units that were made like this. This may just be a dressed up version of the AD-8. I have never been impressed by these units- better to get separates, they last and work a lot better. If the tape transport has wow and flutter higher than .05% wrms then is it likely not a direct drive motor and just another drug store tape transport that will get worse with time. I recently worked on a Teac model called a W450R and my ending comment was why did they even bother to make this piece of junk.
Before buying anything new it is better to have a look inside.

Hi Sam,

Is it possible Teac is testing the waters with the least amount of investment? If there's enough demand, you can be sure there will be other manufacturer's offering better built models.

Nando.

[Dazen1]

For those Teac experienced technicians and others who know transports and the good ones, this tape transport will be a disappointment. That is if they have the same as the past units that were made like this. This may just be a dressed up version of the AD-8. I have never been impressed by these units- better to get separates, they last and work a lot better. If the tape transport has wow and flutter higher than .05% wrms then is it likely not a direct drive motor and just another drug store tape transport that will get worse with time. I recently worked on a Teac model called a W450R and my ending comment was why did they even bother to make this piece of junk.
Before buying anything new it is better to have a look inside.

I expect that you are right. I would guess that this model won't exactly rewrite the rule book. Nonetheless it does potentially pave the way for better decks in the future if the interest and demand is out there.

Hi Sam,

Is it possible Teac is testing the waters with the least amount of investment? If there's enough demand, you can be sure there will be other manufacturer's offering better built models.

Nando.

I completely agree Nando.

Hopefully other manufacturers will reconsider their position. I know that the chances are slim but now would seem like the perfect time to reintroduce a quality deck.

[Skywavebe]

Hi Elite-ist and Nando,

Maybe Teac has got you guys sold but from my experience poor tape decks are made at the beginning, then as they become better at it C-1, C3RX and Z6000 are made, they come to a peak and then as the market turns to junk such as the Ipod, the only thing left is to make pretty stuff that appears to have great value at the same time as maximizing profits. They can test the waters all they want but they DO know how to make good stuff now, the question is will they do it? The use of direct drive motors and good tape heads as well as direct drive reel table motors are well known by now. Making a product that is questionable and for the sole reason to make more profit on a lacking market is just more of the same. Do you want to know how good the product is? Does it have a 3 year warranty? Is is priced too cheap for what the thing is suppose to be? The production of an item to further poison the customer away from a brand name is not what they want now but I think the Digital products they have made is their more major concern for the past decade. Just look at their website. Sony and Pioneer are in no position as they once were to go into wild goose chases. We just have to face it-we are in a different world these days. Have you all noticed how the SD recorders have taken off? We have them where I work - they work but don't impress me either. Tascam is getting into those as well. We have some in our new studio that was just built with a CD.

[Dazen1]

Hi Elite-ist and Nando,

Maybe Teac has got you guys sold but from my experience poor tape decks are made at the beginning, then as they become better at it C-1, C3RX and Z6000 are made, they come to a peak and then as the market turns to junk such as the Ipod, the only thing left is to make pretty stuff that appears to have great value at the same time as maximizing profits. They can test the waters all they want but they DO know how to make good stuff now, the question is will they do it? The use of direct drive motors and good tape heads as well as direct drive reel table motors are well known by now. Making a product that is questionable and for the sole reason to make more profit on a lacking market is just more of the same. Do you want to know how good the product is? Does it have a 3 year warranty? Is is priced too cheap for what the thing is suppose to be? The production of an item to further poison the customer away from a brand name is not what they want now but I think the Digital products they have made is their more major concern for the past decade. Just look at their website. Sony and Pioneer are in no position as they once were to go into wild goose chases. We just have to face it-we are in a different world these days. Have you all noticed how the SD recorders have taken off? We have them where I work - they work but don't impress me either. Tascam is getting into those as well. We have some in our new studio that was just built with a CD.

Sam, I take the point that you are making.

From a consumers point of view, we are in a different world but I still think that it is worthwhile hailing a new bit of kit.