I know this is about the 3014, but the soundfreezer, the 3034 measured 11Hz - 26.5Khs, after 10 years of use, and was connected to a Sanyo Super-D compander, no one could tell the difference between the tapedeck and the source CD, A/B comparisons left people speachless, Very good machines
I Like your demo, I listen through high quality over the ear hedphones, I owned a TCD3034 for ten years, it was the last one I think after the 3014, and cheap, but the sound quality was not cheap, it was unbelievably good, it lasted for 10 years, then I gave up, tried to fix it but it was insanely complex. If I remember correctly, 85 transistors and five IC,s, heavy duty mechanics, relays, heavy flywheels, I had to let it go..
I know that "soundsmith" in New York still do repairs on these. I personally never sent anything to them but i read positive things about them. I do not recommend you work on it yourself unless you are a qualified electronics engineer and know exactly what you're doing. These units are hard to find in good unmolested condition. Also spare parts are very hard to find if not impossible. I'll be more than happy to help you out with any questions about you tandberg unit. :D
Fantastic deck. There's no question that analog recording reached its zenith round about this time, both at home and in the studio. I can't think of any newly-designed machine from 1990 onwards actually worth buying other than Nakamichi models, and even they were dumbed-down compared to Naks of old.
Mid 80's were the pinnacle of quality for all decks but Nakamichis were since late 70's early 80's with their beast decks like 1000zxl limited to 700zxe. Its a shame as the late 80's and early 90's most decks went cheap after shortly that era. Also went from luxurious colors like gold silver champagne to black, the era of black plastic crap though there were a few that are decent quality.
As a Nakamichi fan, I only this week became aware of the Tandberg 3014/3014A. Your video demonstrates amply the elegance of this cassette deck, an elegance lacking by Nakamichis and virtually all other cassette decks. I'm intrigued that you use a TDK D cassette, the most basic of the TDK cassette line. Was this because the higher-end tapes are no longer produced and sold?
Nakamichi DRAGON and very few other high end Nakamichi decks had cue and review. Nakamichi does not need those as it only increase head wear. Not a good thing for preservation of the heads. :-)