Do I need an amp for my 3head sony real to real tape recorder

The vu meters only show that there is an input signal. The meters do not mean the deck is actually recording. If the deck will play a previously-recorded tape, how well does it sound? if the sound quality is muffled or very low, the play-back heads are dirty. If the playback heads are dirty, then the erase and record heads are too. In the tape path, the direction your tape moves from supply reel to takeup reel determines which heads are in which order. Most R-to-R decks play from left reel to right reel. The magnetic heads are in this order, with the the arrow indicating tape transport direction:
Supply Reel moves tape across > Erase head first, then across > Record head second, then across > Playback head. Some machines use the same head for record and playback, but no machine uses the erase head for anything but erasing pre-recorded material on the tape.
First, using tape recorder head cleaner or rubbing alcohol, clean the erase head (the first one the tape moves across) thoroughly with a Q-tip. If the heads are VERY dirty, use a pencil eraser AND the Q-tip. If this head is not clean, it will either not completely or not at all erase the material already on the tape. If the tape isn't erased, you either will get your new recording laid over the top of the existing one and it will sound like gibberish, or the new recording will not be recorded at all, and the original recording is all you will hear. Next, clean the second head the tape passes over. Usually this is the record head. If it is dirty, it will not record clearly or at all the material you are trying to record. Last, if there is a third head (most decks have this), clean it thoroughly as well. This is the playback head, and if it is dirty enough, you will hear nothing, although your new recording may very well have been laid down on the tape. Always clean all tape heads at the same time; in other words, don't just clean one head and not the rest of them. Clean all tape deck heads AS WELL AS the capstan (skinny metal pin that rotates) and pinch roller (the rubber wheel that 'pinches' the tape between itself and the rotating metal pin) thoroughly, rethread your tape through the head array, capstan, and pinch roller onto the takeup reel, and see what happens. If everything is clean and you still don't get any playback of your recording but you do get playback of pre-recorded tapes, then the problem is in the record circuit, and can be anything from faulty input stages to a bad head--deck heads DO go bad, although not often. If this is what happens, you have to take the unit in for repair by a qualified technician.

if one reuses the tape often, ive found that the tape stretches and no longer covers the entire record path (or play path) , i still have a few cassette and reel to reel decks that I still use , and since the tapes are hard to find now I keep reusing the tapes more and more 4 the same thing , I guess its been like in the past year ive seen this tape stretching thing happen now

Akai 1710 Manual - Stereo Tape Recorder - HiFi Engine

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Jun 10, 2014 - Reel size: up to 7 inch reel ... instruction/owners manual English ...Akai Open Reel Tape Decks. Akai 1700 1700 · Akai 1710L · 1710L.

Akai Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder ' eBay

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eBayShop from the world's largest selection and best deals for Akai Reel-to-Reel ... AKAI Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder Model # GX255 + 2 Microphones + 30 Tapes.

AKAI Reel to Reel Tape Decks Guide ' eBay

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They are famous for their high quality reel to reel decks throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and the ... top of or inside the AKAI Head Cover: X-100D, X-150D, X-165D, 1700, 1710, 1720W, 1800L, ... These models are: 1800L, X-1800SD, X-1810/D, GX-1820/D, and 1800D-SS. ..... User Agreement, Privacy, Cookies and AdChoice.

When I put a tape in and press play, the spools will not turn. There is power, but it won't play the tape. It's like the turning spools are stuck .

I am not an expert in the repair of Akai units- most of the time I refuse them, however just to put you on the right path, the hum is coming from a power supply issue in the record audio section or may be in the bias section. You may need to put new Electrolytic caps in the power supply to resolve this. You can also scope the supplies on this deck to find the cause. I commonly work on Teac, Pioneer, Otari, Studer, Sony and better made decks. Some brands are real trouble and are more costly to repair due to poor construction.
I have been doing repairs for 40 years so far.

REEL TO REEL RECORDER SONY TC 330 - on back side of the set voltage selector knobe is lost,so how can i fix it ?

Sounds to me like your Sony has a common problem among vintage reel tape decks..dried /frozen grease/ and or a lack of lubrication. carefully apply a tiny bit of fine lube oil, like 3in1, on the swing mechanism that carries the pinch roller...(you may have to remove the front metal deck face to fully access the swinging pinch roller mechanism) ) . do NOT get any oil on the rubber pinch roller..(best to make sure after by scrubbing the pinch roller surface with a cotton swab lightly dipped in non chemical household cleaner, like 409, or awesome orange i get at the dollar store. Then use the dry end of the swab to ensure the pinch roller is dry. .The pressure pads should swing upward and press the tape against the heads when in play/record mode..if they do not swing up, they are binding/ or out of adjustment....they are spring loaded so when the reel deck is in the stop position the spring loaded pressure pads are held down...play/record mode releases them to freely swing up and press on the tape against the heads.

I also have an MR-929. The information that you need is in the 'Stereophonic 4 track stereo''. As stereo is only two tracks, there is another 2 tracks in addition to the one you are listening to. Wind the entire reel to the empty spool, and then play that. As you have to physically turn the reel over to do so, you should then hear the other tracks (or track, if recorded in mono).
I use my 929 to play my parents recording of my family from the late 60s, which were recorded on a valve (tube) Ferguson machine, which had a green "magic eye" level indicator, which as a child I found fascinating!

Howie

i changed the main drive belt on a reel to reel stereo tape recorder model no A1340 serial no 3642 there is a small wire arm under the play/ record head platform . I believe its the record switch . the arm is not straight looking at machine the arm is straight from switch and go at a 45 degree angle then turns straight and then angles up about a half inch or less . i need to know how to replace this arm ( switch) back into the the head platform so i can start using this recorder
do u have rhe service manual for this machine if so ca i get a copy ?

thanks
Arthur Hathaway