TEAC V-1050 Cassette Deck -

Back in the year 2000, I was having my Nakamichi 600 cassette deck serviced and needed a machine for the interim.  Looking on-line, I found this TEAC V-1050 from a Canadian seller for cheap.  

The seller was mass producing prerecorded high end cassettes from Master tapes in real-time, and advertising that the tapes were seconded generation made on calibrated three head machines.  The bank of tape decks that they were using were using to make these tapes were TEAC V-1050’s.  When the production run ended, the machines were put up for sale.  I bought one after reading its impressive specs and the fact that it was a TEAC, a brand I respected and have enjoyed owning in the past.

Some three head cassette decks that I have owned included the Pioneer CTF-1250, Pioneer CTF-1000. Nakamichi 1000, Kenwood KX-1030, ReVox B-215, AIWA F990, TEAC V-3000 (basically the same machine), TEAC A430, Carver CT-1700.  Of these three head decks, this TEAC V-1050 has been the least trouble.  In fact, I have never needed to service the deck, not ever.

When it arrived, I laughed a little to myself.  I was surprised by its light weight construction and that it had very ‘plastic’ feel to it.  The case is made of thin metal, top bottom and sides.  The cassette door is lightweight plastic, the buttons and knobs, lightweight plastic.  To dress things up a bit, I noticed that higher end TEAC from this period had wooden side panels, so I added some of my own to the sides.  Then I replaced the lightweight plastic record level knob with a heavy Sansui 5050 aluminum tuning knob that I had as a spare and it fit perfectly.  

I used the deck for a few months and was impressed by the quality of the recordings I could make.  They were as close to perfect sounding and any I had ever done from any other machine I had ever owned, two or three head.  Still, I didn't like this deck.  To me, it screamed, “I am made in China by a no brand manufacturer out of cheap plastic.”  

When my Nakamichi 600 was back from service, I was relieved to put this on the shelf in my basement, where it sat for years.  Until, you guessed it, my Nakamichi 600 needed more servicing, which I did then I promptly sold it.  

The TEAC V-1050 worked flawlessly, making perfect recording after perfect recording after perfect recording.  It was so surprising to me that this light weight Chinese made deck was outperforming so many other machines I had owned in the past.  So I broke out one of my several Advent 201 cassette decks.  A deck I loved and respected.  Yep, here was a real machine!   

All mechanical, robust, weighs a ton, sounds wonderful and will outlast me.  So I thought.  Hmmm, bad transistors in the Advent began to manifest themselves.  Out for service, down to the basement to get… you guessed it the V-1050.  

I started to resent this deck, with its cheap plastic cassette well, and flimsy lightweight plastic door.  They couldn’t even stick an LED in the dark cassette well so that you can see how much tape is left while recording.  What is even more irritating is that you didn’t need too.  In addition to a very fine, easy to read and accurate digital counter, you can toggle it back and forth in REAL time.  So useful, so thoughtful, such a good idea and yet I was bothered by it.   

The deck worked perfectly, no issues, just tape after tape after tape.  Finally got the ADVENT back and couldn’t wait to put this plastic lightweight carcass back down into the basement.

Well, I have been using this cheap plastic cassette deck like this for 26 years now.  Finally I gave it to my son, who uses it because, you guessed it, his ADVENT 201 needs transistors and is out for service.  He likes it, and why shouldn’t he. It sounds wonderful and makes perfect recordings, and works flawlessly.  Exactly what you want in a cassette deck.

I also noticed that this TEAC looks very much like the cheap plastic Pioneer cassette decks from this era, and the cheap plastic SONY cassette decks from this era, and the cheap plastic Technics cassette decks from this era, and the cheap plastic Kenwood cassette decks from this era and the cheap plastic JVC decks from this era and the cheap plastic Denon decks from this era and there is a reason.

They basically all have the same layout, with minor controls moved from left to right, or top to bottom.  They all use the exact same head stack, same motors and the same cheap internals.  While doing some OEM research online for Chinese cassette decks, I actually found that these are all sourced from the same cheap plastic Chinese manufacturer, (Tanashin Denki) with minor changes and different labels silk screened on to their cheap plastic faces.  

Take a good look at them all, and notice they have the same features and the same cheap plastic buttons and knobs.  All of them.  Still, in 26 years, I have not had one issue with this machine.  I thought it might last a year, but it’s lasted 26 years and is still going strong and working perfectly. 

I don’t like that this isn’t a REAL TEAC made in Japan from high quality parts.  I don’t like that it is sourced from some cheap plastic Chinese manufacturer, (did I mention that already?)  I can’t believe that it has worked perfectly without issue, and that it makes perfect recordings.  It has NO RIGHT to run so good, to work so well, to make such perfect recordings.  I hate to say it, but it’s the best TEAC cassette deck  I’ve ever owned.  If I had to make a “perfect” recording, this is the machine i would use.

I once owned a $2000.00 ReVox B215 that couldn’t stop burning up cassettes with its tape path lamp for end of tape shut off, and was constantly in the shop.  My two Pioneer CTF 1250’s always had electronic biasing issues, My Pioneer CTF-1000 went through capstan motors like they were cotton swabs.  My Carver TC-1700 ran at the wrong speed, no matter how many times it was adjusted. My AIWA F-990, was stupid ugly and would occasionally eat tapes, even though the transport was super clean.  My Kenwood KX1030 had constant difficulty rewinding tapes, even after servicing.  My Nakamichi 1000 worked perfectly, but was a pain in the shorts to use.  My TEAC A430 was wonderful when it worked.  I owned two, so I could service one and use the other.  This bogus TEAC is a simple, no brainer to use, with no headaches or issues.  Just perfect tapes all the time. Why couldn't TEAC build this in-house?  They're certainly capable.

If you’re looking for a reliable machine that has no discernible build quality whatsoever, no panache, no character, no pedigree, no esoteric components, no pride of ownership, etc, etc, etc, this could be for you.  The bottom line is that with all of my complaining, all of my dislike for it’s light weight construction, the machine is  phenomenal performer, the only deck I’ve ever owned that out performed it was the Nakamichi 1000. That’s high praise.  Therefore I can’t help but recommend this machine. It sounds incredible.  I just wish that TEAC had built this and not some non-discerning private label manufacturer.  That’s kind of a major let down.  I would have enormous respect for this machine if they removed the plastic TEAC badge and named it what it really is a Tanashin Denki V-1050.  They designed it, they built it.  And wow, what a tape deck!  More to come!