Need some buying advice re TEAC A-3440
Daniel
I had pretty much quit buying the bigger and bulkier vintage semi and pro
audio like the open reels, mixers etc on eBay ... I had too many of those
damaged in transit and costs of shipping can get quite high, especially when
shipping to Canada from the States ... Anyway, I had promised myself that if
I'd ever find something locally, which is of interest, then I'd give it a
go. Just the other day I saw an advert for a TEAC A-3440 in "hardly used"
condition, with all the accessories, one owner etc ...... Yes, I know the
3440 is basically an older version of the TASCAM 34B etc..... Now, I know
how to spot a true "low use" machine and yes, I am aware of the stuff that
can happen to electronics of the 15, 20 + years, even unused. BUT, provided
that the machine, heads, tape path, functional and cosmetic condition etc
check out truly fine or "mint" if you like, what amount would you offer the
seller and HOW would you handle the "haggling" aspect of the sale ? Any
advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks in advance,
Daniel
Ben Bradley
I've got a 3340 that I crank up once a year whether it needs it or
not. I'd much rather have the 3440, IIRC the sync function (playback
through the record head) on it sounds much better (or am I thinking of
the Tascam models?) than on the 3340 as well as the switching being
more convenient, not that I would use it any more often.
ISTR that over the past decade or so these machines sell for the
USD $50 to $200 range, even for the more recent Tascam 34's. Maybe a
truly mint machine would be worth $250, but even then I'd try to get a
little off that price. If it's under $200 you might still offer less,
but if the seller is firm just pay the asking price.
>Many thanks in advance,
>
>Daniel
Daniel
"Ben Bradley" <ben_nospa...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:ta14q015tkqk7b0a5...@4ax.com...
Thanks for the quick reply!
Yeah, problem is that the seller wants $1000 (or best offer). That's in
Canadian $$ so that's about $800 USD (obo). That's still too much imho. Guy
said he bought it around '85 but still that's a 20 year old machine. Anyway,
I found this seller's still selling the 3440 and it's been at least a few
mnths. Obviousy, many potential buyers are scared off by the price. What I
thought I'd do is use this info to my advantage and say that the price he is
asking for is very unrealistic, especially when I've seen unused in box,
newer models sell for less and even less for the 3440. I was thinking that
I'd offer him $400 (CND), if the machine is in excellent cond. I'd then tell
him that my offer is based on what the 3440 is selling for on the used
market and that I can't go a penny more. I in essence would be saying "take
it or leave it" knowing that the seller is faced with either getting 400 now
or perhaps not selling the 3440 for many more months and then perhaps by not
more than what I had offered. What do you think ? Is this a good move ? What
else can you suggest so that I can "close" the deal easier ?
Thanks again!
Daniel
Ian Bell
I agree with your idea. I had an A3440 many years ago and made some great
recording on it. The equivalent Tascam pro machine can be had on eBay in
the uk for 150GBP which is less than $400 Canadian. I would also ask if it
comes with the DX9 dbx noise reduction unit (mine did) which is essential
if you want to make the best quality recordings on it.
IAn
>> -----
>> http://mindspring.com/~benbradley
--
Ian Bell
Paul Artola
ro $15,000. ;^)
However, as a gearslut, I would think more like $200-$500.
I have been using mine a little lately to digitize some old tapes, and
have been having problems with the output amplifiers. Seems like
sometimes one or more channels has problem outputting the proper
level. However, I have figured out a work-around.
Essentially, I tap the signal at the earliest place - using the Dolby
outputs in the back, then run the signal into a nice mic preamp or two
(depending on whether I am dubbing 2 or 4 channels). This seems to
work really well and allows me to get past old, tired, noisy amp in
the recorder.
Good luck. I have had my 3440 for almost 25 years now, and it is a
real workhorse.
- Paul Artola
Ellicott City, Maryland
On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 09:29:02 GMT, "Daniel" <Not...@yahoo.com> wrote:
- Paul Artola
Ellicott City, Maryland
The AM4T Gear Addicts Revealed page lives at:
http://www.csee.umbc.edu/~artola/am4t/index.html
Daniel
I'm proud to say that I'm the current owner of a really nice 3440! I was
completely shocked at the amazing condition of the machine. Looked like it
was used not more than a couple of dozen hrs. There were no grooves in the
tape lifters, not a scratch anywhere and even the pinch roller didn't have
much in the way of that tape imprint that you usually see on these types of
units. Seller explained that he bought it when they were being discontinued,
which might have been towards the end of the 80's. Said he used it approx 50
hrs! Judging from the 3440's condition, I'd agree. I was shocked to see a
bunch of other stuff included as well, also in "like new" condition. There
was the RC-70 remote, manual, schematics, brochures, even the warranty card!
Wait, there was more! A full 10.5" metal reel of maxell UD 50-120 tape
(probably just a couple of passes) and a TEAC 10.5" metal take up reel!
There were also a bunch of RCA cables, all originals as initially included
for the 3440, included. There were 2 large hubs with a bonus 1 included as
well (3 of 'em!). Seems I'm forgetting something ..... Anyway, all these
things were shockingly perfect cosmetically, clean etc ...... All in all,
the seller didn't go for my $400 and said the machine was worth more to him.
After a bit of haggling, I got him down from $1000 to $700 CND. I knew the
chances of me seeing another 3440 in this condition, locally, was very low.
I bought it. I don't regret it.
The only thing I have to do now is spray a bit of Deoxit on the contacts to
get rid of the "crunching" noise whenever I turn the knobs or use the
switches. Other than that the machine plays and records beautifully and
actually it's a sound to die for. WOW!
Thanks!
Daniel
Bill Hall
have a DBX moice reduction unit or it will must not be effective.
bill
..*you will always have your time to shine, even in the winter of your darkest
hour*...jeremy enigk
Bill
>I agree with Ian. This is a wonderful old machine but you MUST make sure you
>have a DBX moice reduction unit or it will must not be effective.
Oh, come on, it's just a little tape hiss. A properly-calibrated 3440
running at 15ips with healthy record levels is plenty effective. Not
that dbx is a bad thing to have, but I wouldn't call it a must-have.
Ian Bell
This is not born out by the extensive tests I made on my A3440. The biggest
problem areas are bias oscillator and replay amp noise plus a design aimed
at 185nW/m flux level. In combination these mean the S/N relative to
0VU=185nW/m is only about 45dB unweighted (measured on an HP Audio test
Set) and its spec only claims 55dB relative to 3% distortion. Now this
really represents the best that could be achieved with the tapes of the
day. However, with Ampex 456 you could increase the signal level by another
13dB before reaching 1% distortion and another 3dB before reaching 3%
distortion (at 1KHz) shortly after which the replay amp starts to clip (the
output is now nearly +9dBU which is about 8Volts peak to peak).
So at 1% distortion a S/N of 60dB can be achieved but with the VU meters
wrapped around the stops and I have not taken account of record EQ which
would make these figures worse at higher frequencies. As a rule, with the
VU meter hovering around zero, short peaks 12dB above 0VU will get through
with hardly a flicker on the needle. With dbx in circuit the signal to
noise under all conditions is considerably improved.
Ian
--
Ian Bell
Daniel
"Bill" <bwil...@NOSPAMoptonline.net> wrote in message
news:0atbq0pm83c483p31...@4ax.com...
This is one of those "subjective" isssues that never really dies. Everyone
has an opinion, just like on the 'ol Analog vs Digital theme. Personally I
agree with Bill. The 3440 running at 15 ips (and even 7 1/2 ips) produces a
sound so pleasing to the ear that a little "tape hiss" is hardly an issue,
at least for me. If anything, it contributes to the character of the sound,
which in my opinion is very natural, and once again, very pleasing to the
ear. I think the best thing about the 3440 (and machines of this nature) is
that it's a TRUE joy to operate. Btw, I've used dbx and don't like it. It
kinda defeats the purpose of pure analog recording. With dbx you can't take
advantage of tape saturation nor the nice sound of a bit of tape hiss. Plus,
dbx has artifacts that, although hardly audible, distract me whenever I hear
it.
Daniel
Daniel
"Ian Bell" <ruffr...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:co59km$1i6$1...@slavica.ukpost.com...
Thanks Ian but I thought the 3440 wasn't biased for 456. It is setup for
Maxell UD 35 (or its equivalent Quantegy 407). However, if the 456 is bias
compatible with a Maxell UD 35 (or 407) then please let me know.
Thanks!
Daniel
> Ian
> --
> Ian Bell
Bill Hall
The one that I recorded on was owned by a friend and he did have an outboard 4
channel DBX uint and it did make very quiet and dynamic recordings. That said,
I agree with you guys that even with a little tape his the machine is a great
recorder! All the best with the unit!
Bill Hall
Ian Bell
Depends on what it was set up for. There is nothing in the Service Manual
about the type of tape to use but the User manual does say it is factory
set for Maxell UD35. I don't know if this of Quantegy 407 is bias
compatible with 456 but I suspect it is not because when I set mine up with
456 the bias control was right at the end of its range. If you stay with
UD35/407 then the max level you can put on the tape will be at least 3dB
less. Even more reason for using the dbx.
Ian
--
Ian Bell
Bill Hall
What kind of music are you recording Daniel? Acoustic/vocals?
Bill
Daniel
I record mostly my vocal to simple instrumental pieces. I do mostly ballad
type tunes.
Yes, it was I who started the thread ;))
~Daniel :)
"Bill Hall" <talb...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20041127211638...@mb-m15.aol.com...
Daniel
Alright, thanks again Ian.
~Daniel
>
> --
> Ian Bell