{"product_id":"tandberg-td-20a-se-reel-to-reel-tape-deck-1-2-track-15ips-variant-rare","title":"Tandberg TD-20A-SE Reel to Reel Tape Deck - 1\/2 Track 15IPS Variant - Rare","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGreat selling and performing reel to reel machine and one of our favorite models to work on. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: This is the desirable 1\/2-track (half-track) variant, capable of playing back new ultra-high-fidelity 15 IPS recordings from for instance from Acoustic Sounds. Unlike 1\/4-track machines which split the tape into four narrower channels, a half-track machine divides the tape width evenly into two tracks. This wider track format yields higher audio quality with greater channel separation, and frequency response.  RARE VERSION\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe TD-20A is one of the best looking reel to reel machines out there and the last model that Tandberg made that's full of all the improvements and upgrades they achieved over time. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasy to use and perfect for a high-end residential stereo system.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheck out this video featuring the TD 20A-SE on our YouTube for more:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"1801\" height=\"1013\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0CW4-W2xVxc\" title=\"Ready to Buy Your First Reel to Reel Player? Everything you need to know in 20 min.\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Reel to Reel operates as it should throughout with strong drive motor speed and responsiveness, along with quick and persistent engagement of the heads and capstans. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe meters are responsive and well lit, and all of the potentiometers are free from any noise or scratchiness.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular unit has just had its transport mechanism cleaned and lubricated in house and is now functioning as it should. We also adjusted tape break tension, cleaned the heads, and performed a calibration. The power supply has also been recapped for long term reliability.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncluded is an original Tandberg accessory kit complete with hub adapters and a case, along with a pair of Tandberg take-up reels and the operating instructions\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSkyFi Cosmetic Notes:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome signs of wear on the wooden case and faceplate. Wear\/scratches shown on the take up reels. Otherwise very good.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrand Background:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTandberg was an electronics manufacturer located in Norway. The company began in the radio field, but became more widely known for their reel to reel recorders as well as cassette decks.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOwnership:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSecond Owner\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eConnections:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRCA input\/output, Tandberg Power input,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral Sound:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCosmetic Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e6\/10 = Fair. Three to four minor scratches, or one major scratch. See our detailed rating description \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/pages\/our-rating-scale\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorking Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWorking perfectly and tested in our lab.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnit, Power Cord, Two take up Reels, Two Hub Adapters, owners manual.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePacking:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWill be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.\u003ciframe width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wuWesEecAbE?\u0026amp;autoplay=1\u0026amp;mute=1\" title=\"This Is How We Pack Sensitive Electronics at SkyFi Audio, Less Than 0.2% Shipping Damage\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecs:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• 1\/4-inch tape 2 Channel\u003cbr\u003e• 2-track \/ half-track stereo\u003cbr\u003e• 7.5 ips and 15 ips\u003cbr\u003e• 10.5-inch reels\u003cbr\u003e• 3-head design\u003cbr\u003e• IEC\/CCIR playback where\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e435 x 450 x 200 mm (17.13 x 17.72 x 7.68 in)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e37.5 lbs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eApproximate Age:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1977\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLink to Manual:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.manualslib.com\/manual\/1014056\/Tandberg-Td-20-A.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eClick Here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecommended Cables:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-hero-interconnects-pair-rca-ultraplate-or-wbt-connectors-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - RCA Interconnects\u003c\/a\u003e - Better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-silver-streak-interconnects-pair-rca-ultraplate-or-wbt-connectors\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - RCA Interconnects\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTesting Process:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFirst steps are performed to determine if the unit is a candidate for our full restoration process, or if it's just in need of a light service.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe perform a basic functionality test to ensure proper playback, fast forward, and rewind. We look for smooth operation of the motors, transport engagement, and associated rolling parts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe then do an internal physical inspection to ensure the belts and rubber consumable parts are up to spec.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInternal components are checked to make sure there are no signs of heat stress or damage, particularly in the power supply section. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA light service will involve replacement of belts and rollers, external cleaning of heads, mechanism and boards, and basic record and playback tests. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA full restoration will often include disassembly of the drive system and replacement of all consumable and wearable parts including pinch rollers, belts, brakes, and bearings. We then clean, lubricate, and re-assemble the drive and perform basic mechanical alignment to ensure proper tape path and head alignment. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFinal calibration will involve adjustment of the playback, erase, and record heads, along with optimization of the bias for a specific tape type. We do this with the aid of a Sound Technology 1510A tape deck analyzer plus a Nakamichi T-100 Audio Analyzer with reference calibration tapes. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFinal listening tests are performed while monitoring with our reference Grado HP-1 headphones and a variety of factory and custom reference recordings We find that there is no better system for critical listening on tapes than with headphones, especially when comparing a live feed to a recorded feed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tandberg","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67855726543102,"sku":"107827","price":5683.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0003\/3275\/9084\/files\/tandberg-td-20a-se-reel-to-tape-deck-1-2-track-15ips-variant-rare-983.jpg?v=1793097501","url":"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/en-gb\/products\/tandberg-td-20a-se-reel-to-reel-tape-deck-1-2-track-15ips-variant-rare","provider":"SkyFi Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}