Repair DAT?

Tom C · 7th October 2005

I have a Tacam DA-30, bought in the mid 80's, which I used to mix down to. After awhile of non-use, I went to play a DAT recently and it ate the tape. Had the same thing happen to a second tape.

Although I mix down to CD's now, I'd still like to have the DA-30 available to play old tapes. It was rock solid for a good ten years, without a hiccup, and I actually preferred the way it sounded to the original ADAT - thought it sounded warmer, more "analog".

Anyway, my question is: do you think it's worth refurbishing (and where would I send it?), or would it be more cost effecive to buy a new DAT machine?

natpub · 7th October 2005

Just buy a good working used one. Even the bench fee to open one up is gonna be more to the price that excellent used boxes are goin for. It's like VCR's, just toss em and get another.

Phil Cibley · 7th October 2005

The last remaining DAT transport manufacturer, Alps just stopped making them.
Long term prognosis for DATs looks bad.
That said, sometimes a tape eating problem is as simple as dirty pinch rollers.
Try cleaning them first with 99% isopropyl alcohol and see if it works any better.
The next most common problem would be an out of alignment tape path which requires a special test tape and a scope. Not a DIY job.
If I didn't need the machine to play old tapes, I wouldn't fix it unless it was something simple like a dirty roller or guide.
Phil

7th October 2005	#1
Tom C Gear Head Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 60 Thread Starter	Repair DAT? I have a Tacam DA-30, bought in the mid 80's, which I used to mix down to. After awhile of non-use, I went to play a DAT recently and it ate the tape. Had the same thing happen to a second tape. Although I mix down to CD's now, I'd still like to have the DA-30 available to play old tapes. It was rock solid for a good ten years, without a hiccup, and I actually preferred the way it sounded to the original ADAT - thought it sounded warmer, more "analog". Anyway, my question is: do you think it's worth refurbishing (and where would I send it?), or would it be more cost effecive to buy a new DAT machine?

7th October 2005	#2
natpub More cowbell! Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,171 2 Reviews written	Just buy a good working used one. Even the bench fee to open one up is gonna be more to the price that excellent used boxes are goin for. It's like VCR's, just toss em and get another. __________________ Sonic Sorcery Austin, Texas

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7th October 2005	#3
Phil Cibley Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: New York, NY Posts: 748	The last remaining DAT transport manufacturer, Alps just stopped making them. Long term prognosis for DATs looks bad. That said, sometimes a tape eating problem is as simple as dirty pinch rollers. Try cleaning them first with 99% isopropyl alcohol and see if it works any better. The next most common problem would be an out of alignment tape path which requires a special test tape and a scope. Not a DIY job. If I didn't need the machine to play old tapes, I wouldn't fix it unless it was something simple like a dirty roller or guide. Phil