Teac VRDS-T1 Transport

[57charles]

Probably a broken plastic gear drive - common fault.
I had one of these units for a number of years which uses a cheap Sony drive unlike more expensive models further up the chain (check out the plastic cover -over the cheap ,cheap motor - which performs no function other to give the impression of some kind of 'audio engineering' )- the VRDS 10 and VRDS 25 are miles ahead in terms of internal build and sound quality. I had both of these far superior models for a number of years as well. Unfortunately, Sony laser KS151A which was fitted to the 25 is virtually unobtainable - any you see will be NOS and sell for around 250 pounds+ sterling 'cos the sellers know they are so rare - Sony stopped manufacture years ago.
I replaced the VRDS 25 with a NOS Sony SACD XA3000ES - the Sony rubbishes the VRDS 25 in terms of detail and presence. Not only that but it operates far more smoothly than the clunky TEAC. Sony beats TEAC not only with both using internal DACS but also through TEAC DT-1 - and I can still get a replacement laser.

[Ninanina]

Probably a broken plastic gear drive - common fault.

Well I took the top off and can immediately see a broken off-white cog (gear drive) and therefore put the lid back on double quick

I have no idea if it can be fixed but it's certainly beyond me

So if anyone can repair it make me an offer for it as is..

[57charles]

I seem to remember those plastic gear drives were relatively expensive for what it was - just a plastic cog - no doubt 'cos the suppliers have a captive audience - 'buy this part or else your unit won't work'. Notwithstanding this, worth fixing if that's all that is wrong with it. I seem to remember that the cheap Sony laser used in this model was still available a while ago (need to check PP, of course). If it is, then unit is worth fixing and a spare laser should be bought for future use.
These units sounded 'OK' with a decent DAC.
If Sony laser not available then 'pot luck' and 'good luck'.

[Spectral Morn]

Neil, this is a T1 transport, a sheep in wolf's clothing, in other words a dressed up low cost Sony...

http://lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/REFE...1/VRDS-T1.html

Doesn't mean it's bad, but it ain't what the bigger VRDS mechs are...

I didn't know that, an eye opening educational read.

And sorry to read of your trouble Bev. I hope you get it sorted out.

[hifi_dave]

Is it possible to get your money returned ? If you can get it repaired for not much, then fair enough.

A repair might be expensive and the T1 isn't worth spending serious money on IMO. It's nothing like the VRDS10 etc, which used Teac's own transports.

[Ninanina]

Now up for sale in 'Private Exhibitions' as I don't have the knowledge to repair it and don't know any cd engineers either

[icehockeyboy]

I tried to buy one of these, on two separate occasions.

Neither unit worked, so I gave up.

[Qwin]

It is fitted with an early version of the finest Red Book transport ever made. The VRDS mechanisms are to be found in Wadia's and Esoteric's and other top flight high end CD players and Transports. As I say if this works, you are in for a real treat.

Teac no longer supply VRDS mechanisms to other companies, just to Esoteric - a spin off company.

These kind of statements make me laugh out loud, the VRDS mechanism in a TEAC VRDS T1 has as much in common with a high end Esoteric VRDS mechanism as a Fiat 500 has with a formula one car. They are both VRDS just as they are both cars, but that is all they have in common.

The CMK-4 CMK-4.2 and CMK-4.5 VRDS variants fitted to the TEAC T1, VRDS 7, VRDS 8, VRDS 9, P-500 and Esoteric P-500 were awful and easily bettered by Pioneer stable platter machines costing far less.



As can be seen, it has a plastic clamp, tiny brush motor that costs about 50 cents, the whole mechanism is built around this motors bearings and puny shaft and its mounted on a thin "Zintec" steel Bridge.
The Bridge on the CMK-4, as used on the T1 Transport, had a ribbed plastic cover that was purely cosmetic, as can be seen in the strip down on the lampizator site:
http://www.lampizator.eu/lampizator/...1/VRDS-T1.html



This is the VRDS NEO variant used on top end Esoteric models, there is no comparison.



It uses a 6mm bearing shaft, brushless hall effect motor(see below), aero space quality bearings a laminated platter construction, Sanyo Laser and is very, very robust.




The mid range CMK-3.2 variant of VRDS is a much better mechanism than any of the CMK-4.(X) and a machine built around this is worth consideration.
Models like VRDS 10, VRDS 10SE, VRDS 20, VRDS 25, TEAC P-700, Esoteric P-700 all used this variant, coupled with the better Sony KSS-151A Laser assembly.
It has good bearings a hall effect motor and metal clamp, the plastic moulded bridge is well braced and much more rigid than the Zintec one.

This is what this transport looks like:



Strangely enough, the models using the better CMK-3.2 mechanism are not much more expensive on the used market, than the inferior CMK-4.(X) machines.
All but the high end machines, benefit from a Clock and dedicated PSU upgrade and if you are using SPDIF a better output board, using a 75ohm BNC connection.
Do a little research before diving in on a VRDS machine as they are not all equal, far from it!

[Gazjam]

Ken,
you know your Transports!

what’s your take on the StreamUnlimited 8 drive and Blue Tiger CD-84 servo card, a new transport being used in higher end transports?
Curious how these stack up against the high end Teacs.

thanks.

[Barry]

I find it strange that Ken replied some 7 years after Neil's original post, especially as the misconception was pointed out at the time.