BR-20

Introducing the TASCAM BR-20 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder with McIntosh Tribute Design, a masterpiece that combines the rich history of reel-to-reel tape recording with modern technology and iconic design elements. This tape recorder is more than just a recording device; it's an homage to the golden age of audio recording.

The BR-20 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder boasts a sleek and stylish design inspired by McIntosh Laboratory's classic audio equipment. The exterior features a beautiful wood cabinet, evoking the warmth and richness of traditional recording studios. The iconic McIntosh Tribute badge, with its distinctive blue and gold color scheme, proudly adorns the front panel.

Underneath this elegant exterior lies a state-of-the-art recording system. The BR-20 supports quarter-inch reels, offering recording and playback capabilities at 1.875 ips and 3.75 ips speeds. This versatile recorder can handle both hi-bias and normal tape types, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from high-fidelity music recordings to voiceovers, interviews, and podcasts.

The BR-20 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder provides a variety of connectivity options, allowing you to easily integrate it into your recording setup. It features a pair of XLR microphone inputs, perfect for capturing high-quality audio directly from microphones. Additionally, there are RCA line inputs for connecting other audio sources, such as CD players or synthesizers.

The recorder's intuitive user interface includes a large, backlit LCD display and easy-to-use transport controls, making it simple to navigate menus, set levels, and record and playback your material. The BR-20 also includes a built-in speaker, allowing you to listen to your recordings without the need for external equipment.

Other notable features of the TASCAM BR-20 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder with McIntosh Tribute Design include its built-in compressor and limiter, which help ensure consistent levels and improve overall sound quality. It also supports USB 2.0 connectivity, enabling you to transfer recordings to a computer for editing and archiving.

In summary, the TASCAM BR-20 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder with McIntosh Tribute Design is an exceptional piece of audio equipment that combines the classic sound of reel-to-reel recording with modern features and iconic design. Whether you're a musician, podcaster, or audio enthusiast, this recorder is a must-have for anyone seeking to add authenticity and warmth to their recordings.

The Tascam BR-20 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder with McIntosh Tribute Design is a high-end analog recording device that offers several advantages and disadvantages for music producers, recording engineers, and audio enthusiasts. Here are some potential pros and cons of buying this device:

1. Authentic analog sound: The Tascam BR-20 offers a genuine analog recording experience, which is essential for capturing the warmth and character of instruments and vocals that digital recordings may lack.

2. High-quality components: The device features high-quality components, such as Alps potentiometers, carbon-composite record and playback heads, and a custom-designed McIntosh Tribute power amplifier.

3. Flexible recording options: The Tascam BR-20 offers various recording options, including 2-track and 4-track recording, as well as built-in microphones and line inputs for recording external sources.

4. Durable design: The device has a robust and durable design, with a metal chassis and high-quality construction, making it a reliable investment for music production and recording.

5. Versatile connectivity: The Tascam BR-20 offers various connectivity options, including XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs and outputs, making it suitable for recording a wide range of sources.

1. Expensive: The Tascam BR-20 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder with McIntosh Tribute Design is a high-end device that comes with a hefty price tag, making it an expensive investment for some music producers and audio enthusiasts.

2. Limited recording time: Analog tape recordings have a finite recording time, with each tape having a limited duration. This can be a disadvantage for extended recording sessions or projects that require a large amount of tape.

3. Maintenance requirements: Analog tape recorders require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance, including cleaning the tape heads, adjusting the bias, and calibrating the recording levels.

4. Limited editing capabilities: Analog tape recorders offer limited editing capabilities compared to digital recording software, making it more challenging to edit recordings precisely.

5. Noise and hiss: Analog tape recordings are susceptible to noise and hiss, which can be a disadvantage for recording quiet instruments or vocals.

The Tascam BR-20 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder with McIntosh Tribute Design is a high-end analog recording device that offers several advantages, such as a genuine analog sound, high-quality components, and flexible recording options. However, it also comes with some disadvantages, including a hefty price tag, limited recording time, maintenance requirements, limited editing capabilities, and susceptibility to noise and hiss.

If you are a music producer, recording engineer, or audio enthusiast who values the authentic sound and character of analog recordings and is willing to invest in a high-quality device with a durable design and flexible recording options, then the Tascam BR-20 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder with McIntosh Tribute Design may be an excellent choice for you.

However, if you are looking for a recording device with a larger recording capacity, more extensive editing capabilities, or a lower price point, then you may want to consider other options, such as digital recording software or a digital multitrack recorder.

Overall, the decision to buy the Tascam BR-20 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder with McIntosh Tribute Design depends on your recording needs, budget, and personal preferences. If you value the unique sound and character of analog recordings and are willing to invest in a high-quality device with a durable design and flexible recording options, then this device may be worth considering.

Details:

A full restoration will often include disassembly of the drive system and replacement all consumable wearable parts including pinch rollers, belts, brakes, bearings. We then clean, lubricate, and re-assemble the drive perform basic mechanical alignment to ensure proper tape path head. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR. We perform a basic functionality test to ensure proper playback, fast forward, and rewind.

When optioning this machine we went for a classic mcintosh livery with black finish, green lettering, and blue meters. Its much later in design and production, right at the tail end of format. The highest configuration possible for 1/4 tape machines. In many cases this has proven to be better than the original packaging.

Knobs and pots are of the highest quality mechanical section is equally impressive. Internal components are checked to make sure there no signs of heat stress or damage, particularly in the power supply section. Skiff audio - curators of vintage gear is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling high end audio equipment. Skiff cosmetic notes: very small scratches on some parts, overall incredible condition.

Cosmetically it was completely re-skinned to look at home atop of your beloved mcintosh system including an all new face plate, meters, side panels, feet, etc. It looks stunning in person and would be perfect to match your mcintosh system. Looks like new, likely us once if that. Even the front panel hinges upward like hood of a car to reveal access all calibration pots.

Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. Only to be outdone by some of the Swiss-made Agra machines which is really saying something. Sealed volume and record pots ensure you don't have to service them, just exercise from time. This is a 1/2 track machine which utilizes all of the tape in stereo mode on one direction only.

The Tascam BR-20 is an audiophile favorite for many reasons. Mechanically it was restored to the highest standard, calibrated, and fully tested. Working condition: perfectly and tested in our lab. To coordinate pickup.

Super easy to service and calibrate with a logical clean interior layout using cards instead of large PC boards. This particular unit was modified and also serviced by j-coder, which makes it even more special. We then do an internal physical inspection to ensure the belts and rubber consumable parts are up spec. Best of all it has inputs and outputs in both rca XLR balanced configuration.

In addition being a high speed machine capable of 7-1/2 and 15 UPS, it has facilities for both nab IRS equalization allowing you to playback the highest quality modern reissue recordings offered today. As close to new as you can get. Final calibration will involve adjustment of the playback, erase, and record heads, along with optimization bias for a specific tape type. A light service will involve replacement of belts and rollers, external cleaning heads, mechanism boards, basic record playback tests.

specifications stereocompo:

• brand: Tascam
• mpn: Br-20
• part type: Reel

seller stereocompo:

• rating: 100.0%
• city: glen rock, new jersey
• # reviews: 584

returns stereocompo:

• policy: no returns

general stereocompo:

• category: Electronics > Audio > Home Stereo Components

payments stereocompo:

• credit card: discover
• other
• wallet: paypal

shipping stereocompo:

• transit: 4-8 days
• type: fixed
• carrier: ups
• class: standard
• service: ups ground

offer stereocompo:

• sold #: 8
• in stock #: 5
• options: ship-to-home
• availability: in stock
• started: january 8, 2026
• prices: $37.00–$21390.00
• item condition:
  • New
  • Used
  • Unspecified
  • Very Good
  • New with tags
  • Open box

More Available:

• DX-44: REEL, Tascam