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Tape head test??

98.141.23.73
Posted on April 8, 2014 at 12:50:57
REL54
Audiophile

Posts: 1944
Location: Virginia Coast
Joined: January 3, 2003
 A good friend of mine recently gave me a very nice BIC tape deck and I've really enjoyed listening to it. Dug out my box of old tapes and listened to music I hadn't heard for years.

Then the deck suddenly quit working. The transport still works fine. But there is no sound and no deflection on either of the meters. Darn.

I generally suspect 'lytic caps and plan to change them. There's maybe 50 in this deck. But I'd like to check the head itself. Is there a way to check it?

Should it have continuity? Lots of ohms or only a few? Any other tests I can do to ensure the head is functional before I spend all that time changing out the caps?

Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
roN

 

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RE: Tape head test??, posted on April 9, 2014 at 05:31:10
stellavox
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: June 23, 2004
 No sound in both channels points to some problem common to both - like the power supply or maybe some switch/relay that isn't making contact. Suggest getting a schematic. Playback heads typically measure in the low hundreds of ohms.

Charles

 

Please don't be offended but, posted on April 9, 2014 at 12:47:39
kavakidd
Audiophile

Posts: 20316
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: April 15, 2004
 try switching from source to tape back and forth a few times. My RTR had one channel go out and that solved it for me.
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain

 

RE: Please don't be offended but, posted on April 9, 2014 at 13:40:40
REL54
Audiophile

Posts: 1944
Location: Virginia Coast
Joined: January 3, 2003
 Not offended at all. I flipped every switch numerous time, pushed every button, turned every knob, deOxit'd everything. Tried numerous combinations of switches/knobs/buttons in different positions, ad nauseam. Nothing worked.....

I guess I'll eventually get it figured out, but none of us is as smart as all of us so I thought there's probably somebody out there that can help me so I don't have to reinvent the wheel....

roN

 

RE: Tape head test??, posted on April 9, 2014 at 14:22:57
Bill Way
Audiophile

Posts: 1884
Location: Toms River NJ
Joined: May 28, 2012
Contributor
  Since: December 14, 2012
 If it has boards with edge connectors, check them first. Then check every other physical connector in the deck. Good luck.

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

 

RE: Tape head test??, posted on August 15, 2014 at 18:36:17
barondla
Audiophile

Posts: 535
Location: midwest usa
Joined: May 26, 2007
 Is this BIC able to record and playback at twice the normal speed? Remember that innovation fondly . Philips wasn't very happy about it.

No idea what is wrong with your deck. Hope you get it sorted quickly.
thanks
barondla

 

RE: Tape head test??, posted on August 17, 2014 at 08:22:00
Inmate51
 What Stellavox said.

Also, and no offense intended, but if you're asking this question, you don't have the trouble-shooting skills needed to diagnose this problem. Your first two guesses indicate this.

I'd suggest that you find a qualified tech in your area and have him figure out what's wrong. If you're good with the tools needed to fix it, that's great, but at least have a qualified person figure out what needs to be fixed.

:)

 

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