Founded in 1953, TEAC has a long track record of creating revolutionary AV products that have changed the way we experience our world.

Seventy years ago, the Tani brothers, Katsuma and Tomoma, formed the first company that would later come to be known as TEAC in Tokyo, Japan. Their first product, the TD-102 reel-to-reel tape recorder, launched in 1957 to massive success. Despite its high price and the fact that vinyl reigned supreme during that time, TEAC often sold-out bulk orders after giving exclusive presentations to radio clubs and manufacturers. But this was just the beginning…

TEAC AT THE 1964 TOKYO OLYMPICS

TEAC was an integral part in producing a slow-motion video tape recorder (VTR) used to record legendary feats at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Any sports fan can tell you that slow-mo has revolutionized the way we view games today.

HIGH-QUALITY MUSIC FOR EVERYONE

Following the momentous post-war growth in Japan (and taking advantage of Beatlemania), TEAC set out to create a “tape deck for everybody.” In 1968, the A-4010 4-track reel deck was built to match a family lifestyle and budget, selling out in huge numbers and signaling the beginning of the audio tape era. That same year, the A-20 stereo cassette tape deck brough hi-fi sound to the everyman – and cemented TEAC as one of the best tape deck-makers in the world.

CAN YOU DIG IT? MAJOR SUCCESS IN THE SEVENTIES

Released in 1972 with a remarkable wow-and-flutter rate of less than 1%, the A-450 cassette tape deck was a major step up in the hi-fi game with increased precision, usability, and operation. But this was just the beginning of TEAC’s revolutionary tech in the ‘70s. Other major accomplishments include:

• That’s no moon, it’s a TASCAM 80-8 8-track reel deck! Used to record the voices of our favorite droids, R2-D2 and C3PO were brought to life on this TEAC legend. It was such a hit that musicians such as Boston and Kansas used the TASCAM 80-8 to record as well. (1977)
• Hailed by Billboard Magazine and Pro Sound News as “the most innovative product ever,” the world’s first 4-track cassette recorder, the TEAC 144, made major contributions to the most popular music of the day. (1979) Fun fact: Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska album was recorded on a TEAC 144 in his home a few years later in 1982.

FROM THE EMMY’S TO OUTERSPACE

We can’t say enough about the TASCAM DA-88 8-track digital multi-track recorder. A major addition to broadcast recording systems in 1995, this beast of a machine won two Emmy awards! As if that wasn’t enough, the DA-88’s transport is the same one used on NASA space shuttles, thanks to its ability to withstand a 9G-impact.

CAN’T GET ENOUGH TEAC

TEAC continues its revolutionary line of products to this day with an assortment of turntables, amplifiers, cassette decks, and CD players. Building upon our past successes, we incorporate the best of today’s technology to bring your music collections back to life in clearer detail than ever before.

BONUS: Audiophiles and AV buffs will get a kick out of perusing TEAC’s full history at teac.jp.