Have you heard about TEAC’s legacy and want to get the inside scoop on one of the most revered home-recording manufacturer’s take on the turntable? Are you in the market for a new turntable, or are you simply curious?
Then strap in for one of the most comprehensive TEAC TN-300 reviews on the internet today as we explore some of its key features as well as the brand’s overarching and unavoidable legacy.
Table of Contents
The Brand
TEAC is already a well-established and profitable brand in the world of audiophilia. While they might not have been doing it for as long as their competitors at Audio-Technica, over the past 30 years, they have accrued a reputation for the sound quality of the highest order.
In fact, one of TEAC’s biggest legacies is in their nurturing of home recording during the 70s, manufacturing some of the most important products in its history. This includes inventing the first 1/2 inch tape, 4-track cassette recorder, the first 8-track, and reel-to-reel/mixer combo, as well as the first R-DAT recorder.
TEAC is famously a supporter of the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct, the Electronic Industry Citizenship, and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative. The latter is of particular importance today, for it is their aim to eliminate the use of irresponsible materials often found in the manufacture of music equipment. Indeed, in an age where turntables are manufactured just to be thrown away, this could not be more relevant as a prerogative.
Key Features
Right out of the box, it should be clear to see that this is a good-looking record player (and it sounds great too). In this price range, it is sadly all too common that something is sacrificed to get the price so low, but a TEAC turntable can always be relied upon for producing quality products that are likewise aesthetically pleasing.
Technically speaking, this is a belt-driven turntable with a high-torque DC motor held in a chassis beneath a platter of aluminum. The built-in phono preamp is of considerable quality, too, especially when paired with a worthy amplifier. In line with some other examples of a great turntable these days, there is also a USB output, perfectly fuzing analog and digital and allowing you to play vinyl and convert it to digital audio quality. Transfer music your way.
This is a manual turntable, great for an authentic experience of spinning vinyl records. Some, though, do say that high-quality sound is often matched with a sound system that ought to have been met with more quality control.
Upgrades & Customization
Thankfully, this turntable is at least relatively easy to set up. There are plenty of turntables on the market today which require extended use of the manual to even make sense of how to put it together, so this is a real blessing from TEAC.
Indeed, this is, by all accounts, an approachable turntable, especially compared to some others on the market today. If, indeed, you do need to use the instructions, then they are very clear anyhow. You should not have to do more than apply the dust cover, really.
Another comparison worthy of making with other more modern turntables is that, unlike some others, this is a fully customizable turntable. On some models of Audio-Technica, for example, you can’t even change the cartridge.
This is purported to be a turntable that far exceeds the money spent on getting it set up. Of course, if you do want to sink more money into it from the ground, then using the right power amp/receiver and speakers will do wonders for the quality of your overall sound.
Performance
This brings us to the overall performance of this turntable. This is thankfully one of those turntables that, despite the lack of a phono EQ switch, sound great as soon as it’s out of the box, hence why it is one of the most popular turntables around the $300 price range.
Even without upgrading this turntable in the manner detailed above, you can expect an accurate performance and precise audio playback. The solid build really does equate to an amazing performance here. Music lovers will be pleased as anything, especially when they get the chance to change the cartridge to something better suited to their needs.
Of particular note is the steel used to construct this turntable, polished completely as it is, allowing for a more accurate performance overall if it does not at least appeal to your aesthetic sense. The high end is clear, while the mids are smooth and well-defined, with lows that are strong but not muddy.
To get such a strong performance and bold aesthetic appearance from an entry-level turntable feels like a real gift. Of course, one person’s entry-level might not be another’s, especially considering the relatively mid-range price tag on this one.
Final Tones
So, there you have it! Hopefully, you are now feeling well-informed and enlightened as to the extended legacy of this most prolific company and perhaps even ready to invest in one of their fine examples of turntables too.
FAQs TEAC TN-300 Reviews
How good are TEAC turntables?
This remains to be seen, but TEAC as a company has certainly accrued quite a reputation over the years for quality in the manufacture of products related to sound recording. In fact, they are most famous for instigating a veritable revolution in home recording, inventing the first 4-track and 8-track cassette recorders which allowed consumers to create their own music on their own terms in a big way. Still, despite this being their greatest feat, they are still well-renowned as manufacturers of turntables and related audiophile equipment.
Does the TEAC TN-300 have a preamp?
Indeed it does, and, by all accounts, it is said to be reasonably strong at its job. This, though, is when the preamp and turntable that it is housed within are paired with a strong external amplifier and a good set of speakers – i.e. a good stereo setup overall. This goes for just about anything, though, and you could easily say the same for, say, watching a high-quality Blu-ray version of a film on a really old and small television unable to deliver all of the minute details that the Bluray is being called upon to give.
Who makes TEAC turntables?
Though it might seem like some sort of weird conspiracy, TEAC themselves are the manufacturers of their own turntables. Thanks to their prolific inventing streak in the 70s – wherein they invented several different forms of home recording, including the 4-track and 8-track cassette recorder – they are a big enough company financially to support the manufacture of their own turntables. Sure, there are plenty of companies out there who, though they seem like their own bosses, are actually owned by a larger conglomerate company, though TEAC is not one of them.
Do TEAC turntables have a preamp?
Sometimes, though not always. Flagship models like the TN-300 come with a robust and capable built-in phono preamp that, when paired with an otherwise solid stereo setup, can do some serious damage. The same goes for other models in TEAC’s more affordable range of around $300. There are other turntables that TEAC manufactures, though, that do not feature a built-in phono preamp, in which case you will need to invest in one of your own or instead buy a turntable that does.
I have the TEAC. tn-300 in piano black.. I have really enjoyed this turntable. It is reliable yet looks top rate for the price. Very Happy..
Dave Q
Hey there Dave,
Glad to hear from you and very pleased you are enjoying the TEAC TN-300. Piano Black sure is a great name for a color, right? At such a price and with such luscious looks, it’s a wonder more people don’t flock to this turntable.
If you have any more questions or anything else to share, don’t be afraid to this or any other comments section on Notes on Vinyl.
You take care out there, Dave.
Robert.