Teac X-2000R
Teac X-2000M
Teac X-2000
(1981 - 1995+)

No more than a minimal evolution of the X-1000R bestseller.

The relocation of the counter and attendent functions was in touch with Akai's successful Star Trek looks of its GX-747 penultimate recording development : it worked well as a re-lifting trick but no more - the X-2000 isn't very beautiful.

Mechanically identical with the X-1000 - same motor, same closed loop dual capstans, same cobalt amorphous heads, same EE tape compatibility, same Type I dbx, same etc.
The X-2000M is unidirectional but spins at 38cm/s and can read 4-track tapes ; the X-2000R is bi-directional in both rec and play modes but stops at 19cm/s.
As for the X-1000 series, an intermediate model was sometimes available : X-2000, really an X-2000R without the auto-reverse function and thus only three heads instead of six. Specs for all show slight improvements over the X-1000 series so there must have been some re-engineering and signal path cleaning between the two series.

25kg for each and up to 33kHz or 40kHz of frequency response - it took digital technology more than ten years to catch up with either the X-2000M, the Sony TC-880-2, Sony APR-5003 or the studio Studers !

But the X-2000 had dbx noise reduction system, perhaps only surpassed by Telefunken's commercially failed HIGH COM system. Put an Ampex 499 Grand Mastertape in the reels, get the VUs way past the red 0dB and you have sound and palpable, sensual presence like present day digital recorders can only dream of.

, the X-2000M was the last consumer reel-to-reel to remain available, and well into the mid 1990s. Teac kept a stock a semi-pro units and the ultimate TASCAM BR-20 mastering deck finally vanished some 10 or 12 years after the X-2000 had.