TEAC V-377

The V-377 is a stereo cassette deck manufactured in China by the TEAC Corporation. It has centre mounted tape transport mechanism, one touch recording, and full auto-stop. It is a basic entry level system with Dolby B noise reduction, and metal/chrome tape selector. It has one DC servomotor and the wow-and-flutter figure is 0.09 % (wrms). This cassette deck is for a hi-fi stack system and its dimensions are 435 mm × 130 mm × 215 mm, and mass 3 kg.

Review

In the evolution of cassette decks, we are looking at a later model, when manufacturers started designing small mechanisms that were simplified utilising minimum metal and plastic resources. In addition, the electronics uses integrated circuit (IC) technology, hence the main board is much smaller with minimal component count.

Although this unit is manufactured in China, much of the design is very reminiscent of the old Japanese decks. Inside, I found the CXA1551P Dolby B type noise reduction IC, manufactured by the Sony Corporation. It also contains operational amplifier ICs such as the NJM4558L, and C1228HA. All of this IC technology means that it performs well, sounds well, and is cheap to manufacture.

It has some good points going for it such as having just two square-cut drive belts for the transport mechanism and one belt for the mechanical counter. Generic replacements belts would therefore not be a problem compared to high-end decks with flat belts, which tends to be expensive and difficult to source.

In this deck, the heads are ordinary standard type, hence, if you are looking for a pre-used deck, and then make sure the heads and pinch-roller are not worn out from many years of use. This unit also has plenty of space inside and replacing the drive belts or pinch roller is usually very simple compared to some of the 80s decks I have worked with.

On the down side, there is no auto-reverse, no remote control, no HX Pro, no headphone socket, but this may be an advantage too as there is less to go wrong. This is a basic entry-level design with essential features that some audiophiles find attractive. I particularly like the wonderfully crafted cassette compartment door, and the chunky plastic fascia, which makes it look very impressive in a stack system.

Price/eBay

The Teac V-377 is often for sale on eBay and the price can vary depending upon the condition. A broken unit may cost as little as ten pounds, however a unit in mint condition with the original packaging can go for over fifty pounds depending upon the day. Many people are looking for a nice impressive looking deck that does not cost too much and this one ticks the boxes for them. I managed to get this for just ten pounds from the Cash Converters shop on eBay as it was broken, and all it needed was a new drive belt. I fitted a generic belt and it works fine and is as good as new. In the following pages of this multi-page article you can see the inside electronic engineering. The photographs are simply my notes for future reference and may help other engineers if they need to repair their decks.

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