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Description
The A-450 cassette deck is designed to be used with a high quality stereo amplifier system.
It contains many of the standard TEAC features such as selectable bias and eq, Din, Mic, Line inputs, pause control, auto end stop, peak level indicator, large VU meters, tape run indicator, etc.
In addition it has Dolby NR circuitry, Dolby FM/copy facility, FM MPX filter, Mic / Line mixing, outer rotor motor and unexcelled wow and flutter specs.
Specifications
Type: 2-head, single compact cassette deck
Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
Tape Speed: 4.8 cm/s
Heads: 1 x record/playback, 1 x erase
Motor: hysteresis synchronous
Tape Type: type I, FeCr, CrO2
Noise Reduction: B
Frequency Response: 30Hz to 16kHz (Cr02 tape)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 58dB (dolby B)
Wow and Flutter: 0.07%
Total Harmonic Distortion: 2.5%
Input: 100mV (line), 0.25mV (mic)
Output: 0.3V (line)
Dimensions: 445 x 176 x 270mm
Weight: 9.5kg
Downloads
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Reviews
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Reviewed Nov 24th, 2018 by Numone
This is a 45 year old landmark deck. TEAC decided to try and engineer a cassette deck which could compete sonically with a reel to reel decks, calling it The Challenger. They certainly succeeded as it really could produce results which, in blind tests, people could not differentiate between the two types of recorder. This deck, which I've had partially rebuilt, still performs fantastically well and can still hold its own against more modern equipment. Sonically, it performs really well with Type 1 and 2 tape such as TDK AD and SA but with early BASF chrome tape, it is simply breathtaking. I haven't tried it with more modern Chrom tape, but I presume it'll be just as good. The discreet component Dolby B circuit is wonderful; it simply removes the hiss and nothing else. The electronics are quiet and the headphone amp gives excellent volume levels which I love. So, for its place in HiFi history and for its performance, it gets a 10 from me.
Reviewed Sep 12th, 2018 by Bobatallo
Bought in 1974. Absolute garbage. Made strange noises that appeared to be due to signal interference. Tech at seller insisted it was due to my receiver. Returned it within a week, bought a different deck, no further problems.
Reviewed Jun 15th, 2015 by rvkruz
Robust build. Bought in 1973 as original owner and it still works well today. Just needed a two new belts.
Has very good amplifiers and great low-frequency extension as well as good SNR that makes the most of its frequency range. Has relatively good HF saturation characteristic at 0dB and discrete very capable Dolby B tracking.
Somewhat limited high frequency response above 17kHz but can still sound very involving and satisfying, even in comparison to a Nakamichi.
Teac A-450. Simplicity at its best. Still relevant.
I was fortunate to have purchase this deck in lightly used condition with the belts replaced. The quality of construction and design makes this deck still very relevant today. The Dolby circuits as well as the important audio path are all discrete components with no IC’s. When using a quality chrome tape the recordings produced are excellent and very quiet. I’m very impressed with the dynamic range and resolution as well. Even though this deck has one motor it is of the AC type and is very powerful. So much so that it is all that is needed to perform all transport functions. And it’s not just a simple motor either. It has an outer rotor that is governed by a servo circuit. Because of this single motor usage the transport mechanism has to be a little more complicated. Teac was able to achieve this admirably. The mechanism is compact but effective and most of all durable to last for years to come. Over the last few years I’ve had many very good decks in my system (including Teac A series C-1, 800, 860, Luxman K-12, Technics M-85 MKII and RS-9900US.) All are fine decks in their own way but none have been as satisfying and trouble free as the A-450. There have been a few versions of the A-450. Earlier models have the real veneered wood sides and the ferrite heads. Later models have the simulated wood sides, ferrite or permaflux heads. I believe some had the ferrite head letter stamped on the cassette lid cover. The first version did not have this but may have in a sub version, possibly version 1.2. The A-450 was Teacs first serious attempt of a cassette deck that could challenge reel to reels performance so they pulled out all the stops to make sure that they achieved their goal. I think they succeeded very well. I love this deck and will never part with it.
re: A-450
Does your hum when on.. its no to distracting, but i just wanted to know whether i needed it servicing..
re: A-450
Sounds like a cap in the power supply probably in the ac circuit a large capacity like 1000uf at 250 volt look for the top of the cap bubbling up or leakage on the bottom check all of them in the power supply.
I hope that this helps