Hitachi TRQ-330's update, must watch for portable reel-to-reel fans!

[MrMikejmccormick]

Hi CassetteMaster. I have what appears to be the exact same reel to reel, except the brand is labeled "Sun Mark." It was definitely made by Hitachi, as all of the parts have the Hitachi name and symbols. It seems to be in great working condition except I believe my reels are spinning in the opposite direction of your machine. The right reel spins clockwise when in forward, and the left spins counter-clockwise when in rewind. Tape then flies off the reel when loaded like yours. Any suggestions?

[CassetteMaster]

@MrMikejmccormick The polarity of the power supply may be in backwards. Is the amp working properly? If it seems like it's not, it might have to do with reverse polarity.

[MrMikejmccormick]

@CassetteMaster Thanks a bunch that was exactly it. I'll try to upload a video of the machine soon. Seems to have been used only a few times.

[thereelmaster]

um what do you mean by the rca going "blown"?

[CassetteMaster]

@thereelmaster There was a white RCA portable machine that I had got on eBay and the power input jack was the exact same type used for AC 120V on many machines. I plugged in the cord and fried the amp and motor and later saw up close "DC 9V." It drove me mad with regret and annoyance and sadness. Luckily I found a better black equivelent at an estate sale, which has 120V and a counter.

[emyandmatty]

the cover is acting as kind of a speaker box, just like my old RCA Vibra record player, i opened it while it was playing and the bass was absolutely gone as was much volume

[CassetteRookie]

How did you fix the muffled sound that it had?

[CassetteMaster]

Cleaning the heads.

[reeltoreelmaster]

Very cool REELS

[BrooklynMouseReturns]

Nice awesome job on your Hirachi reel-to-reel, and please be careful on what your music is playing. I've heard the song "Crazy For You" by Madonna and guess what, it's WMG and it's not allowed to be uploaded, I see people who had WMG disputed for copyright problems, but it's okay.

[numanumaaddict]

yes i do notice a difference in sound when you put the cover on

[bluenazz]

Hitachi made some very excellent quality audio equipment, especially amplifiers during the late 70's. Simple but beautiful sounding stuff!

[MarkPMus]

Yes I even noted when it was playing back your speech that the cover made quite a big difference to the quality of your voice. I know you can't judge from a YT video recorded on a camcorder mike, but the "extra" bass sounded to me loose and woolly. So it might be a case of personal preference whether you leave the cover off or replace it.

[windoes98se]

i once had a hitachi vcr 6 years ago, it playd yideo casets better Than dvds, untill it broke(i was 9 years old when that happened) and if i still had it today i would try to fix it.

[thereelmaster]

nice reel to reel , but sorry about those others

[clydesight]

Very nice! What is the impredance on the claricon and the lloyd's mics? I am thinking the Lloyd's is a better match.

[CassetteMaster]

The Claricon's it 200 ohm, but I don't know the Lloyd's's.

[clydesight]

The Lloyds may be a 600 ohm. I have used both with the old machines, and some work well with the 200 ohm and others work well with the 600 ohm. The "karaoke" mics are 600 ohm and pretty inexpensive, if you need a 600 ohm unit.

[worryphree]

You're awsome! Be happy! Smiling can make you happy. Happiness is great!

[zvukgame]

Good mashine !

[DrCassette]

That's a really nice machine. I'm glad you got it back into an almost perfect condition!

[steelrain3]

you did a good job fixing that reel to reel.

I'm really enjoying these updates !

[sheimers]

There are companies that can put new rubber on old pinchrollers. You can even tell them what diameter of rubber you want. Just use your search engine of choice and enter the search string Pinchroller Refurbishment.

[CassetteMaster]

I had rubber of an idler repaired. The thing is it's expensive!

[batterymaker]

It was that very song, played through a 1940s Airline console, that got me hooked on old radios, Spring/Summer 1985.  In fact, I was your age at that time.

[batterymaker]

You're a good wizard with these machines. It's going to come in handy as you get older.

[Vinylrecordsneverdie]

Machine sounds really great and I love that Madonna song u played! Itz off the Vision Quest soundtrack. Broken machine are nice to have around when you find something cooler or in better shape.

[weasel2htm]

I have that record too!

[Vinylrecordsneverdie]

Me 2 and also the 45!

[CoolDudeClem]

Oh yes, it's much better now! How good does it sound though a direct connection?

[CassetteMaster]

Probably good. I know it's good with an external speaker.

[weasel2htm]

My theroys on the sound difference (which I noticed during the playback of speech)

1: Some of the backwave from the speaker is sneaking out through the tape mechanism

and/or

2: The cover slightly vibrates, acting a bit like a passive sub woofer.

My guess is a combination of the two.

[CassetteMaster]

Sound does escape though the opening where the heads and pinch roller are.

[Mastercorder]

I wish they would make some new r to r portables if nothing else just for novelty ..........

[Mastercorder]

Really Good Job ... !!!!

[AllAmericanFiveRadio]

Wow that does sound great! Nice part hunting.