This should start something.

I am not familiar with the various brands

Which is considered better quality, Teac or AKai.

For example Teac A-4010s or Akai X-150D

Thanks

I am not familiar with either machine you mention, but based on such experience as I have, I'd have to give the overall nod to Teac (and their associated Tascam brand), at least in terms of tape machines. I am in no position to say more.

Larry

The 4010 is built exceptionally well and will last for another few centuries at least. They're basic machines but the mechanics and electronics are well implemented. Make sure you take the time to replace the capacitors in the amplifiers for continued reliability. Teac made some fantastic decks though some of the later Tascam efforts were a bit poor. Tascam's efforts to try and shove as many tracks as possible on 1/4" and 1/2" tape were not well executed and never really sounded all that great.

I have always preferred the 3 motor TEAC transport to the single motor of the X-150D. There are fewer rubber parts in the TEAC to go bad, and the Akai clutch mechanisms tend to give flutter problems.

Both are quality brands. I have a few R-T-R of both. "Best" is an AKAI GX-635D (black version).
BOB

Owned both, warranty service for both, also tech for Ampex studio and consumer. TEAC could be aligned and calibrated like a studio machine. PB out was hard to distinguish from REC in. Properly biased, they were quiet and flat.

Agree on TEAC. You could line it up like an Ampex. IMHO tape recorders must have three motors and three heads. Most TEACs did, but only the higher-end Akai models. I believe that TEAC was a couple of steps up on the quality scale compared to Akai, and were priced accordingly when new.

You can get a nice Ampex studio machine on ebay for nearly nothing, if you have the space for it.

-David

Thanks

Ampex did "outsource" to Teac for their ATR-700 machine; it said Ampex on the front, but was a Teac inside. Another good Teac machine was the 3300 series. I have both machines, and can vouch for their rugged construction and performance.