[Vintage-Audio] Re Teac AN-180

Sat Mar 1 18:04:00 2003

These outboard Dolby units were marketed by Teac, as well as a couple of
other companies in the early 70s. I believe that the first one on the market
was the Advent model 100, which is rather rare. I have also seen some with
the "Lafayette Radio" brand name.
As you correctly pointed out, they were a way to apply the Dolby "B" noise
reduction scheme to tape decks ( all prior production ) that did not have
this feature. Sort of a retro-fit, if you will.
The AN-180 units are nicely made, with all discrete circuits. There were two
versions in 4 channel configuration. The most common of these is the AN-300.
There was a "400 Hz Dolby level" calibration tape that came with these
units, which MUST be used to set the playback levels of the tape recorder.
These cal. tapes frequently become separated from the units, which are
useless without them.
These type of devices went out of production when "Dolby-on-a-chip" was
developed, which made built-in Dolby a standard feature on all subsequent
production.
The FM function that you mention, is merely a filter to remove the 19Khz
pilot for FM multiplex from the audio signal, as having this component in
the signal to the tape deck raises hell with the bias oscillator signal due
to inter-modulation.
As there are still some folks who use reel tape decks, these units are
somewhat in demand, and will bring around $50 on e-Bay.
Chuck N1LNH
----- Original Message -----
From: "Duane Fischer, W8DBF" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 8:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Vintage-Audio] Re Teac AN-180


> Thanks for reminding me of that Bob. I do remember it, now that you have
jogged
> my neurons. Well, I guess I won't be needing that feature on the Teac
AN-180,
> heh?
>
> Gee, with all of these meters, buttons, switches, knobs and various
adjustments
> I must be able to do something impressive. If nothing else, it looks
impressive
> just sitting there lit up.
>
> So what is Bob W. going to offer me in trade for the refurbished Revox B77
with
> the already electrically checked out Teac AN-180?
>
> Duane W8DBF
>
>
> ----------
> From: Robert  J.  McKee <[email protected]>
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Vintage-Audio] Re Teac AN-180
> Date: Friday, February 28, 2003 5:31 PM
>
> Duane, there was some limited Dolby FM Stereo
> broadcasting to reduce noise in that medium.
> Been a long time ago and I never did hear
> any of it decoded.  Some FM/Cassette car
> receivers had a feature to allow Dolby decoding
> of FM broadcasts.
>
> Bob McKee
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Duane Fischer, W8DBF" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 5:11 PM
> Subject: [Vintage-Audio] Re Teac AN-180
>
>
> >
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I have before me a Teac AN-180 Doby and equilization unit.
> It looks quite
> > complex with all sorts of interesting functions. This one is
> in excellent
> > condition and I have requested a copy of the owners manual
> from Teac.
> >
> > I understand that it is used with a tape deck that did not
> have Dolby and will
> > allow both recording and playback with Dolby. However, it
> also appears to have
> > some FM functions and all sorts of other stuff. Do any of
> you have any
> > experience with, or operational knowledge of, this unit?
> >
> > When it was being sold in the seventies the price tag was
> $350. quite a price
> > tag for then.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Duane W8DBF
> >
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