The TEAC R-9 was a rotary head digital audio tape deck released in 1994. Priced at ¥150,000 in Japan, the TEAC R-9 was a serious DAT recorder that combined domestic hi-fi operation with technology and control features associated with TASCAM professional machines. The TEAC R-9 was designed for precise digital recording, flexible search and indexing, and stable playback across standard DAT sampling rates.
The TEAC R-9 supported 48kHz, 44.1kHz, and 32kHz sampling frequencies. At 48kHz and 44.1kHz, the TEAC R-9 supported both playback and recording from digital or analogue sources. At 32kHz SP, recording and playback were available from digital sources only, while 32kHz LP supported both digital and analogue recording and playback. The inclusion of 32kHz long play mode allowed the TEAC R-9 to record and play continuously for up to 4 hours when using a 120 minute DAT tape.
Conversion was handled by 1-bit A/D and D/A conversion, with independent left and right channel conversion stages. This arrangement was used to achieve high linearity in recording and playback. The TEAC R-9 offered 16-bit linear quantisation and delivered a signal-to-noise ratio of 92dB or more, a dynamic range of 93dB or more, and channel separation of 85dB or more. In SP mode, total harmonic distortion was specified at 0.004% or less at 1kHz.
The TEAC R-9 was equipped with a shuttle dial for fast and accurate search operation. The shuttle dial allowed searching while listening to audio at speeds from 1x to 16x. A DATA dial was also provided, allowing numerical entry in addition to tape position capture. Direct search could be carried out by specifying the programme number, making the TEAC R-9 more flexible than a basic linear tape recorder.
DAT indexing functions were a central part of the TEAC R-9. The automatic recording detection level for start IDs could be selected from five levels, covering -48dB, -54dB, -60dB, -66dB, and -72dB. This allowed the start ID threshold to be matched to the condition and level of the source material. The TEAC R-9 also included a position function for fine adjustment of start ID and skip ID locations in 5-frame units.
The TEAC R-9 provided independent left and right analogue input level controls for precise recording level adjustment. A manual/reference switch was also included. In the reference position, input was fixed at the specified level regardless of the front panel level control position, a useful arrangement for fixed systems and repeatable recording setups.
For monitoring and metering, the TEAC R-9 included a large 17-segment peak meter with 1-second peak hold. Three counter display modes were available: ABS time, PGM time, and REMAIN time. A headphone output with level control was also provided for direct monitoring from the deck.
The TEAC R-9 included practical recording and playback functions such as a Rec Mute button, which automatically recorded 4 seconds of silence with one touch. It also included a standby function that waited in pause after channel selection. A wireless remote control was supplied, and the remote supported random programming of up to 50 songs.
Connectivity included RCA analogue input and output, coaxial digital input and output, and optical digital input and output. This allowed the TEAC R-9 to be used with analogue sources, digital sources, amplifiers, and other digital audio equipment. The power supply was specified for 100V AC at 50Hz/60Hz, reflecting the Japanese domestic market version.
The TEAC R-9 was a substantial DAT deck, measuring 155.5mm x 442mm x 355mm and weighing 9.3kg. Its combination of 1-bit conversion, selectable DAT sampling modes, long play operation, shuttle search, detailed ID editing, professional-style input control, and comprehensive digital connectivity made the TEAC R-9 one of TEAC’s more capable domestic DAT recorders of the mid-1990s.
Features
- Rotary head digital audio tape deck released in 1994
- Technology derived from TASCAM professional machines
- 1-bit A/D and D/A conversion
- Independent left and right channel conversion stages
- 48kHz, 44.1kHz, and 32kHz sampling support
- 32kHz long play mode with up to 4 hours recording on a 120 minute DAT tape
- Shuttle dial search from 1x to 16x while listening to audio
- DATA dial for numerical entry
- Direct search by programme number
- Selectable automatic start ID detection level
- Start ID and skip ID position adjustment in 5-frame units
- Independent left and right analogue input level controls
- Manual/reference input level switching
- 17-segment peak meter with 1-second peak hold
- ABS time, PGM time, and REMAIN time counter displays
- Rec Mute button for automatic 4 second silence recording
- Headphone output with level control
- Wireless remote control with random programming of up to 50 songs