Aiwa Reel-to-Reel Repair Service Areas - Los Angeles County Cities

Professional Aiwa reel-to-reel tape recorder repair, restoration, and capacitor replacement service available in:

  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Los Angeles, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Long Beach, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Santa Clarita, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Glendale, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Lancaster, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Palmdale, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Pomona, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Torrance, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Pasadena, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair El Monte, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Downey, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Inglewood, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair West Covina, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Norwalk, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Burbank, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Compton, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair South Gate, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Carson, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Santa Monica, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Whittier, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Hawthorne, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Alhambra, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Buena Park, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Lakewood, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Bellflower, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Monterey Park, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Gardena, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Paramount, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Redondo Beach, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Arcadia, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Manhattan Beach, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Montebello, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Pico Rivera, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair La Mirada, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Lynwood, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Baldwin Park, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Diamond Bar, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Redlands, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Chino, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Chino Hills, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Rancho Cucamonga, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Fontana, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Rialto, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair San Bernardino, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Ontario, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Upland, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Glendora, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Azusa, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Claremont, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair La Verne, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair San Dimas, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Covina, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Walnut, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair La Puente, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair West Hollywood, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Beverly Hills, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Culver City, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Malibu, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair El Segundo, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Hermosa Beach, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Palos Verdes Estates, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Rolling Hills, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Rolling Hills Estates, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair San Fernando, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Calabasas, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Agoura Hills, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Westlake Village, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Thousand Oaks, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Simi Valley, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Moorpark, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Camarillo, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Oxnard, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Ventura, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Port Hueneme, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair San Marino, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair South Pasadena, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Temple City, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Rosemead, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair San Gabriel, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Irwindale, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Duarte, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Monrovia, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Sierra Madre, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Bradbury, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair La Cañada Flintridge, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Maywood, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Cudahy, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Bell, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Bell Gardens, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Huntington Park, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Vernon, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Commerce, CA
  • Aiwa reel-to-reel repair Artesia, CA

Vintage Aiwa tape recorder restoration services including TPR-10, TPR-9, X-700, X-500, X-300, TPD-10A, AD-1250U, and AD-1650U models. Professional capacitor replacement, mechanical restoration, bias calibration, and azimuth alignment available.

Aiwa Reel-to-Reel Repair & Restoration Service

Professional Restoration, Capacitor Replacement & Calibration for Vintage Aiwa Tape Recorders

TEK Media Group specializes in the professional repair and restoration of Aiwa reel-to-reel tape recorders, including the legendary TPR-10, TPR-9, X-700, X-500, X-300, TPD-10A, AD-1250U, and AD-1650U models. Our expert technicians provide comprehensive capacitor replacement, mechanical restoration, bias adjustment, azimuth calibration, and transport service to restore these vintage machines to peak performance.

With decades of experience servicing professional and high-fidelity audio equipment, we understand the unique challenges of maintaining these collectible recorders from the golden age of audio. Whether you need a complete restoration, capacitor replacement, or specific repairs, we deliver professional results.

Aiwa Models We Service & Restore

TPR-10 / TPR-9
Early 1970s
  • Professional 1/4" recorder - broadcast quality (66 lbs)
  • Three-motor, solenoid-controlled transport
  • Complete capacitor replacement (all electrolytics & tantalums)
  • Bias/azimuth calibration & speed adjustment

Common Mechanical Issues

  • Solenoid sticking: Dried lubricant causes intermittent operation - requires complete cleaning and re-lubrication
  • Pinch roller deterioration: Rubber hardens, glazes, or becomes sticky - replacement required for proper tape contact
  • Belt degradation: Original belts turn to goo or snap - affects capstan drive and speed stability
  • Mode switch oxidation: Corroded contacts cause transport mode failures - cleaning with DeoxIT required
  • Reel table clutch slipping: Worn felt washers cause poor tape tension - precision adjustment needed
  • Brake pad wear: Uneven stopping or tape spillage - brake shoe replacement and adjustment

Critical Capacitor Replacements

  • Power supply filters (2200-4700µF): Cause hum, oscillation, low voltage - MUST be replaced
  • Audio coupling caps (1-47µF): Weak audio, distortion, DC offset - affects all channels
  • Tantalum capacitors (4.7-47µF): Often fail short-circuit causing blown fuses or transistor damage
  • Bias oscillator caps: Improper bias frequency causes poor high-frequency recording
  • Emitter bypass caps (100-470µF): Stage instability, noise, oscillation
  • EQ network caps (10-220µF): Incorrect frequency response, unstable playback
Electronics Issues: Early transistor failures, power supply regulation drift, relay contact pitting, bias oscillator instability. Full diagnostic testing and alignment required after restoration.
X-300 / X-500 / X-700
1968-1972
  • Iconic "flying saucer" design models
  • Germanium transistor replacement & bias adjustment
  • Paper/wax capacitor replacement with film types
  • Idler wheel, belt, and transport linkage restoration

Common Mechanical Issues

  • Idler wheel hardening: Rubber becomes hard and loses traction - causes speed instability
  • Complex linkage binding: Central control pod mechanism jams - requires complete disassembly
  • Plastic gear brittleness: Gears crack from age - can cause catastrophic transport failure
  • Motor bearing wear: Noisy operation, speed drift - bearing replacement or motor service
  • Control pod alignment: Difficult mode changes - precision mechanical adjustment required
  • Tape path guides worn: Azimuth shift, poor tracking - guide replacement needed

Critical Capacitor Replacements

  • Paper/wax capacitors: Almost always leaky after 50+ years - causes distortion and DC offset
  • Power supply (1000-3300µF): Early rubber-sealed electrolytics dry out completely
  • Motor run capacitors (1-4µF @ 250VAC): Motor won't start or runs hot - use polypropylene replacements
  • Coupling capacitors (10-100µF): Germanium circuits especially sensitive to leakage
  • Tone control caps (0.01-0.47µF): Incorrect EQ curve, loss of highs/lows
  • Oscillator ceramics (100pF-1000pF): No bias, poor high-frequency recording
Electronics Issues: Germanium transistors prone to thermal drift and leakage, bulb illumination burnout, selector switch oxidation. Germanium replacements (AC187/188) or silicon conversions with bias adjustment available.
TPD-10A Portable
1970s
  • Professional portable field recorder
  • Battery compartment restoration & corrosion removal
  • XLR connector service & microphone preamp repair
  • Power supply & switching circuit capacitor replacement

Common Mechanical Issues

  • Battery corrosion: Leaked cells damage PCB traces and battery contacts - extensive cleaning/repair needed
  • Transport lock breakage: Plastic lock mechanism breaks from rough handling - affects portability
  • Carrying handle mounting cracks: Stress fractures in case - reinforcement required
  • VU meter damage: Bent needles or broken movements from drops - meter replacement often needed
  • Case seal deterioration: Weather seal degrades - affects environmental protection
  • Connector wear: XLR pins bent or damaged from field use

Critical Capacitor Replacements

  • Power supply filters (470-2200µF): Heat-stressed in portable use - causes instability
  • Battery/AC switching tantalums: Critical for mode switching - often fail short
  • Audio coupling (1-10µF): Temperature cycling causes premature failure
  • Microphone preamp caps (4.7-47µF): Noisy mic inputs, poor gain - affects field recording
  • Meter driver caps (22-100µF): Inaccurate VU readings, sluggish response
  • DC-DC converter caps: If tube version, converter failure prevents operation
Electronics Issues: DC-DC converter failures, battery/AC switch oxidation, meter calibration drift. Portable units experience more thermal cycling damage than fixed installations.
AD-1250U / AD-1650U
Mid-1970s
Restoration: $700 - $1,800+
  • Unique cassette-style auto-loading system
  • Complex loading mechanism service & alignment
  • Logic control circuit & timing capacitor replacement
  • Sensor cleaning & calibration

Common Mechanical Issues

  • Auto-loading failure: Complex mechanism with multiple failure points - most common issue
  • Plastic cam wear: Loading sequence cams wear and skip - causes jams and misalignment
  • Tape path sensor misalignment: Optical/magnetic sensors for threading fail or drift
  • Door mechanism breakage: Cassette-style door hinges crack - affects loading reliability
  • Loading motor failure: Drive motor for auto-threading mechanism burns out
  • Threading arm sticking: Guide arms bind on posts - prevents proper tape loading

Critical Capacitor Replacements

  • Power supply (3300-4700µF): Loading mechanism spikes stress caps - premature failure
  • Logic control caps (47-220µF): Timing circuit failures cause erratic auto-loading
  • Motor drive circuit (100-470µF): Slow or stalling motors during loading sequence
  • Timing capacitors (4.7-22µF): Incorrect loading sequence timing - causes jams
  • Sensor circuit caps: False triggering or no detection of tape position
  • Bias/oscillator (0.1-0.47µF): Standard recording circuit failures
Electronics Issues: Logic control IC failures, loading motor drive transistor burnout, microswitches fail or stick. Most complex Aiwa model to service - requires specialized knowledge of auto-loading system.

Universal Aiwa Reel-to-Reel Problems & Solutions

Audio Quality Issues

  • Weak or distorted playback: Failed coupling capacitors, bias misadjustment, worn heads
  • Excessive hum: Power supply filter capacitor failure, ground loop, transformer deterioration
  • High-frequency loss: Head wear, azimuth misalignment, bias oscillator drift
  • Channel imbalance: Asymmetric capacitor aging, head wear, potentiometer oxidation
  • Poor recording quality: Bias circuit failure, head magnetization, worn tape path
  • Intermittent audio: Cracked solder joints, oxidized switches, failing connectors

Transport & Mechanical Problems

  • Speed instability: Worn idler wheels, belt stretch, motor bearing wear, capstan contamination
  • Won't play/record: Interlock switch failure, mode selector oxidation, solenoid malfunction
  • Tape spillage: Worn brake pads, broken take-up clutch, sensor failure
  • Difficult threading: Worn tape guides, pinch roller misalignment, dirty tape path
  • Noisy operation: Dry bearings, worn gears, loose mounting hardware
  • Won't fast forward/rewind: Belt failure, idler arm spring weak, motor capacitor dead

Power & Electronics

  • Dead unit/no power: Fuse blown (check tantalum caps first), transformer failure, power switch
  • Blown fuses repeatedly: Shorted tantalum capacitor, failed rectifier, short in motor winding
  • Erratic operation: Cold solder joints, failing ICs, power supply regulation issues
  • No bias/erase: Oscillator transistor failure, bias head open circuit, oscillator cap failure
  • VU meters not working: Meter lamps out, driver circuit failure, meter movement damaged
  • Logic failures: Control circuit capacitors drifted, failed logic ICs, corroded switch contacts

Age-Related Deterioration

  • ALL electrolytic capacitors: After 40-50 years, these MUST be replaced preventatively
  • Rubber parts (belts, rollers, grommets): Become sticky, hard, or turn to goo
  • Lubrication dried out: Causes binding, increased wear, noise - complete re-lubrication needed
  • Plastic brittleness: Gears, cams, knobs crack easily - handle with care during service
  • Contact oxidation: All switches, potentiometers, connectors need cleaning
  • Head wear: Especially on units that saw heavy use - affects frequency response and output

Our Professional Restoration Services

Complete Capacitor Replacement

All electrolytics, tantalums, and paper capacitors replaced with high-quality 105°C low-ESR components for decades of reliable service. We use Nichicon, Panasonic, or Elna premium capacitors.

Mechanical Restoration

Transport cleaning, lubrication, belt/idler replacement, pinch roller service, and mechanism alignment. All mechanical parts restored to factory specifications.

Electronic Calibration

Bias adjustment, azimuth alignment, speed calibration, EQ optimization, and frequency response testing. Professional test equipment and calibration tapes used.

Professional Testing

Full functional testing with calibration tapes, oscilloscope analysis, audio spectrum measurement, and wow/flutter testing to ensure peak performance.

Head Service

Head cleaning, demagnetization, azimuth alignment, and evaluation. We can source replacement heads if severely worn.

Cosmetic Restoration

Cleaning, polishing, and restoration of exterior components. Control panel restoration, meter glass cleaning, and hardware restoration available.

Contact Us for Aiwa Reel-to-Reel Service

Ready to restore your vintage Aiwa reel-to-reel recorder? Contact TEK Media Group today for a free consultation and estimate. Our expert technicians have the knowledge, tools, and genuine passion for vintage audio to bring your collectible recorder back to life.

Call us at (818) 244-4440 or toll-free (800) 255-5045

Email: as@tekmg.com

Professional restoration services for the TPR-10, TPR-9, X-700, X-500, X-300, TPD-10A, AD-1250U, AD-1650U, and all vintage Aiwa reel-to-reel models. Serving audio professionals, collectors, and enthusiasts throughout Southern California and nationwide via shipping.

Call
Mobile
(818) 244-4440
Toll Free: (800) 255-5045