Hitachi TRK-3D88E

[neiloliver]

Here is my new purchase. Just need to sort the clicking sound from the left deck. I just registered on here and have already seen one post describing the same problem so hope to get it fixed soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r8TWNH6G6Y&t=132s

 

[Northerner]

Welcome to the forum. The 3D’s don’t have the classic look but they do sound pretty good. Hope you get it sorted

 

[T-STER]

Nice machine and looking real clean, mine had the same click when i got it, im not sure how i fixed it so i will look for my old post on the other site but im sure people here will chip in with advice to.

You're right tho, I think Jimmy said the 3D8 is by far the most bass of the 3D range, these are good tho and pretty loud. I think they are fatiguing to listen to for long periods thoi.

Future classics though i think.

 

[Reli]

Nice, these are the best-looking of the 3D range IMHO (but not the bassiest).

What pisses me off though is how it restricts Line In signals. It's got some sort of circuit that restricts the input to only 2 or 3 LED's on the VU meters, no matter how loud you raise your phone's volume.

 

[neiloliver]

Thank you for comments. I had a 3D8 back in the day and I remember looking at the 3D88E in the Argos catalogue so when this one came up on Ebay I had to have it. I am really pleased with how clean it is and I am sure the clicking can be sorted.

N

 

[Superduper]

Really nice, I was never really was interested in models with that type of look in the past but in recent times, those models are starting to grow on me now.

Weird issue though. Hope you get it sorted, and please describe the fix if you do.

 

[Transistorized]

I enjoy those LED's across the top to indicate audio output. That's a nice looking box of the later generation

Being mechanical minded I will offer my opinion. It seems to me that since the clicking on the left deck starts when powering up the right deck that both decks are powered by the same motor and/or their drive motors are powered up together. My situation was caused by the motorized mechanism cam gear but this unit (by appearance) seems to be fully mechanical (your finger pressure engages the heads) even with the stereo unplugged and powered off.

If all of this is true, pressing pause stops the noise and in play mode it stops it as well I am going to go out on a limb and say that it may have something to do with the auto-stop part of the mechanism on the left deck. That deck is going to have to be inspected for loose and or broken/missing plastic pieces. It sounds to me like it believes it is still in play mode and is trying to kick the head back up for an auto stop as long as its flywheel is spinning and not engaged.

There are many things it can be but one thing is a 100% certain...it's a mechanical issue with the left deck. A sticky part, a missing broken spring, a cracked/broken gear. No way to tell without digging in

 

[floyd]

I'm not sure if you replaced the belts yet but my lasonic l30 k did the same thing , it turned out the belts were slipping and the deck even though it worked clicked when we was not using it lol.

 

[Helmar]

Hi Neil,

I have most of the 3Ds in my collection
The annoying clicking can be fixed within minutes an without spare parts. It is just the spring, which needs more tension to push down the moving piston. You can simulate it by gently pushing down the piston with your finger.

In case not all LEDs light up (I used an iPad as the Line-in Source, set to 90% volume), there is a problem. Both of my 3D88 make full use of the LEDs - no limitation as mentioned before.

From my experience the belts only need to be changed in case the tape deck has not enough power to fully rewind/fast forward a cassette. Usually only the two smaller belts need to be changed.

The only problem I experience is that the Auto-Stop does not work on fast forward (only).

Best regards
Helmar