TEAC A-3340S 4-Channel Simul-Sync Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck — Fully Serviced — Calibrated for Quantegy 456

This Unit

Professionally serviced by Vic Rucinsky at Wiktor Amps with a complete electrical and mechanical service per the original service manual: all mechanical parts cleaned and lubricated, fresh belt, new pinch roller, head alignment, and full electrical calibration. Calibrated to the period-correct 185 nWb/m standard. VU meters are set to the dBm scale (0 dB = 0.775 VAC); with output controls at position "8," the meters reflect output referenced to that standard. Input amplifier is set to line level (-10 dBm) with unity print gain at approximately "7."

Bias and equalization are set to position "2," calibrated for Quantegy 456 formula tape. Bench-verified record performance at 15 IPS meets spec out to 22 kHz (±3 dB) at 0 dB signal print. Heads show 85% remaining life and can be relapped at least two more times before reaching end of service life.

Cosmetically the unit presents extremely well. There are a few small, light scratches on the wood side panels (documented in the photos) and a discreetly etched ID number on the bottom edge of the faceplate — neither is visible under most lighting conditions.

About the TEAC A-3340S

Introduced in the mid-1970s as an update to the original A-3340, the A-3340S was THE deck to own for serious home recording in its era — a three-motor, two-speed, 4-track machine that helped define the sound of countless demos and recordings. Notably, it's the machine The Doobie Brothers used to record the demos that landed their record deal, and it remains a favorite among artists and engineers today for its distinctive analog character.

Simul-Sync was the A-3340S's signature innovation: each of the four tracks can be recorded independently while monitoring the others using the record head instead of the playback head, eliminating the timing offset that separate playback-head monitoring would otherwise introduce. This made true overdubbing possible on a home-recording-priced machine for the first time.

Three-head design (erase, record, playback) allows true off-tape monitoring during recording, a hallmark of professional-grade decks. The three-motor transport — one dual-speed hysteresis synchronous capstan motor and two eddy-current induction reel motors — delivers stable, accurate tape handling at both operating speeds.

Full mixing facilities are on board with four mic and four line inputs, a stereo/quad playback switch, bias/EQ selection for different tape formulations, and dual headphone outputs. The A-3340S handles up to 10.5-inch reels and is housed in its wood-veneered cabinet with solid lauan wood parts.

Verified Specifications

• Track system: 4-track, 4-channel, stereo/mono/multi-channel
• Heads: 3 total — 1 erase, 1 record, 1 playback
• Motors: 3 — 1 dual-speed hysteresis synchronous capstan motor, 2 eddy-current induction reel motors
• Tape speeds: 7½ IPS and 15 IPS
• Reel capacity: up to 10.5-inch reels
• Frequency response: 25 Hz–24 kHz (15 IPS, ±3 dB, published spec)
• Wow & flutter: 0.04% (15 IPS)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: approx. 55 dB
• THD: approx. 1%
• Inputs: Line 100 mV, Mic 0.25 mV
• Outputs: Line 0.775V
• Power: 117 VAC, 60 Hz, 138W
• Dimensions: 522 × 440 × 170 mm
• Weight: approx. 22.5 kg (49.5 lbs)
• Years produced: mid-to-late 1970s through circa 1980

Shipping

Securely packed for safe delivery worldwide. Local pickup also welcome. Quoted international shipping rate is to Australia, the farthest destination from my US location — please inquire for a quote to your specific international address. This is a heavy, delicate, and valuable machine and will be fully insured.