Carver TD-1700 3-Head Cassette Deck (1990) - Gray/Black

I am offering a Carver TD-1700 3-Head dual-capstan Cassette Deck from 1990. Carver is known for building amplifiers and not cassette decks, so for the TD-1700, they turned to Aiwa. The TD-1700 is a rebranded Aiwa AD-F880, a mid-tier offering in Aiwa’s cassette deck line in 1988. It is a solid basic deck with mechanical components that trickled down from Aiwa’s high-end models. I purchased this deck in non-working condition as a spare-time repair project. It has received a cleaning, belt service, mechanical adjustment, and testing. I chose this deck as a repair candidate because I liked the Carver styling, and my experience with a similar Aiwa was very positive. I am impressed with the build quality and serviceability of this deck. Aiwa decks of this vintage had a reputation for being tanks. Its feature set was frequently compared favorably to more expensive decks — it earned praise for performance close to premium brands but without premium cost. It’s not surprising that Carver would choose this model to put its name on.  Its design integrates well with other Carver components of the same period, and it will make a great addition to a collection of Carver gear from the late 1980s or early 1990s.

It has an attractive gray-black finish, the Carver rack handles, a vacufluorescent display, and red, green, and yellow LED indicators. The vacuum fluorescent display has a bright VU two-color meter section; the tape counter portion is dim but still legible. This deck features one of the most solid tape doors I have ever seen. The playback/record heads are isolated from the chassis with springs, and there is a magnet shield. Like many Carver components, this deck is rack-mountable. While not strictly a pro model, the TD-1700 would feel right at home in a professional rack installation and is a solid workhorse. While it doesn't have XLR inputs or outputs, it can be used in a professional setting if a vintage tape sound is desired.

Dimensions: ( Width: 17-6/16”, Height:5-13/16”, Depth: 11-3/16”, Weight: 11-1/2 lbs )    

Physical Condition

This cassette deck is 35 years old and is being sold as described.

The front panel is in good condition as defined by Reverb. It has scratches, nicks, and imperfections. It has earned its patina and was well-loved. All of the buttons, switches, and dials feel solid and are free of static. The smaller tape bias and sensitivity controls feel stiff; my Aiwa AD-F780 felt very similar. The outer case also has scratches, which are documented in the attached images. I have decided not to repair or refinish the case, leaving that task to the next owner if they wish to carry out a full restoration. The internals looked to be in factory condition, and only a belt replacement and mechanical service were needed. I suspect it originally came with an infrared remote, but that has been lost to time. I don’t see why a remote for an Aiwa AD-F880 wouldn’t work just fine, and is likely easier to source than a Carver-branded one. 

The following items have been serviced:

• Main Drive Belts (both belts replaced with new)
• Idler Tire (replaced with new)
• Tape Transport Cleaned
• Flywheel and Capstan Cleaned and Lubricated
• Pinch Rollers Cleaned
• Heads De-magnetized 
• Power Supply Health Verified

All basic functions have been tested and are working properly. Fast Forward and Rewind are smooth and quiet. Playback and Record engage with a satisfying sound from the control solenoids. The tape speed and azimuth have been calibrated to the best of my ability, given the test equipment I own. I have made numerous test recordings from high-quality source material and am pleased with the sound reproduction. Setting the bias and sensitivity for each tape does make a difference in sound quality. 

I have included some measurement charts in this ad. I have done my best to document this deck's capabilities using new-old-stock tapes. The deck's performance will vary depending on the tape used and the Bias, Record Level, and Noise Reduction settings. My test gear is not a professionally calibrated rig, so the charts are a general indication of what to expect.

I will include a reprint of the Aiwa AD-F780/880 Owner’s Manual, Carver TD-1700 Service Manual, and copies of the measurements I have made with various tape brands and types.

Main Features

• 3-Heads ( 1 playback - 1 record - 1 erase )
• Dual Capstan
• Rack Mountable Chassis
• Dolby B, C Noise Reduction with HX Pro
• User Adjustable Bias and Sensitivity 
• Auto Tape-Type Detection for Type I, II, and IV tape
• Digital Tape Counter ( dim but legible )
• 12 - Segment Vacufluorescent Level Meter ( bright blue and red )
• Line Level Output Headphone Jack ( No volume control )

Manufacturers’ Specs ( in 1990 )

• 20 Hz–19 kHz (metal tape); ±1 dB
• 31 Hz to 12.5 kHz, –2.5 dB at ~18 kHz (ferric tapes)
• Wow & Flutter - 0.037% WRMS ( I was able to measure 0.05% with my test gear
• Signal to Noise Ratio - 73dB ( Dolby C )