DAT Recorder question

[radioman148]

I have a sony DAT recorder from the early 90s--model 670. It recently has failed me. Tapes occassionally play but there's no sound. Also, tapes sometimes get damaged and chewed up.
I've contacted sony and they say they no longer make or service these machines. I live in the Chicago area
and they recommended a place for me to try to have it serviced however that place can't do anything because they say they can't get parts.
I was told to try to find a used machine on ebay. I would prefer if at all possible to get this machine repaired.
I have no technical expertise. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on a way I could get this machine repaired?

Thanks.

 

[radiorob2.0]

The "play but no sound" issue might have something with speed errors. If there was any speed difference over time or because of different machines there would be no audio. It was a sync issue and you might find more info on the web.

I love Sony equipment. But you have to live with the annoyance that once a product is discontinued so is tech support. A long shot is to find somebody who knows his way around analog video recorders. A DAT machine is essentially a VCR and this is a mechanical problem. You might have to explain what it does, but once the tech removes the cover it will look familiar.

 

[The Beave]

I worked in a studio in Nashville, We saw that all the time after 4,000 hours we would have to replace them or send them in for roller and head repairs. Sometimes there would be electronic issues. Sony Pro Audio will also have some answers.

 

[radioman148]

How do I get in touch with Sony pro audio?
When I've called sony I get nowhere.

Thanks.

 

[The Beave]

Western Service Facility

Los Angeles

Sony Service Center

Sony Electronics, Inc.
2706 Media Center Drive; Suite 130
Los Angeles, California 90065
Voice: 323-352-5000
FAX: 323-352-5039
E-mail: [email protected]

For the following products:
Professional Audio Products Repair

 

[radioman148]

Thank you!

 

[kenglish]

Eddie Ciletti is a well known audio guru who can help:
http://www.tangible-technology.com/

 

[radioman148]

Thanks again.

 

[softmachine]

I have a sony DAT recorder from the early 90s--model 670. It recently has failed me. Tapes occassionally play but there's no sound. Also, tapes sometimes get damaged and chewed up.
I've contacted sony and they say they no longer make or service these machines. I live in the Chicago area
and they recommended a place for me to try to have it serviced however that place can't do anything because they say they can't get parts.
I was told to try to find a used machine on ebay. I would prefer if at all possible to get this machine repaired.
I have no technical expertise. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on a way I could get this machine repaired?

Thanks.

A few years ago, I serviced the head on my Sony DTC 690. The folks in the part department were kind enough to fax me a parts list as well so I could give them the proper numbers.

I did have an issue with solder joints coming loose-I had transported it in an improper case. There are heat sinks connected to transistors mounted on the back panel. A good wack and constant tension loosened the transistors right up. As a result the tapes wouldn't load, and would come out damaged because the mechanism wasn't performing properly. I opened it, noticed this problem and applied solder to it. Fixed. I was able to order a head and a new pinch brush as of '05-they could've scuttled them altogether at this point. I rarely use for recording, but I do the occasional transfer from archived tapes.

I think it is best to seek out a decent used or new if at all possible. Do they make the back-up tape drives for computers still? I think I may have downloaded a program to offload the data to .wav, but I never went through with the drive purchase. Again, a few years have passed, but look into it.