Technics RS-M245X - From Nothing to Playback in One Video

I watched this old DBX equipped Technics RS-M245X sit there on eBay for weeks before I took pity on it and grabbed it for $90 Canadian. Let's see how bad it is. This deck retailed for around $330 USD back in 1983, and is among the better two head machines they made.
BE CAREFUL with these old late 70s and early 80s Technics/Panasonic/National units. They are infamous for bad capacitors, and this machine is no exception. Think twice about buying if you're not ready for that.
Belts used:
178mm IC x 4mm (capstan)
142mm IC x 1.2mm square (mode)
90mm IC x 1.2mm square (take up drive)
Idler is available from Fix Your Audio as of 2024, but did not need changing in this machine.
Facebook: / theweatherwolf
Insta: / oklawolf
Camera gear I use:
Nikon D800, Nikon Z50, iPhone XS Max & 13 Pro Max, DJI Action 3, Autel Evo Nano+, Autel Evo Lite+, DJI Mini 3 Pro

[@savvassidiropoulos5952]

Just do it! The recap I mean. This series of decks is good.

[@eleanorschrag4759]

I agree with making it trust worthy before donating. What a great idea to do donation projects!

[@michelk1445]

Yeah recap for sure if possible, nice video 👍

[@turntableman100]

Yeah i would keep this tape deck absolutely they are very good decks

[@petejames5562]

I had same experience with dbx caps. Wow! Dbx is amazing when working but you have to recap to keep it solid. This machine & its higher / lower dbx models are really great machines. If you get one & do some work on it you will want to keep it. Great video, really useful.

[@Oklawolf]

Recap video is next week.

[@paulb4uk]

A nice looking deck well made .

[@asbcustom]

I'll watch this later but I wish to be the first to pre-congratulate you on 1000 subscribers!

[@Oklawolf]

Thanks!

[@drdolby1585]

I invested around 1000 € in the last months to pile up muse and FG caps.

[@Oklawolf]

$400 CAD for me.

[@3dsmaxrocks699]

Good looking deck. Nice job.
I thought you said you bought a Pioneer 1250 as well?

[@Oklawolf]

I wish… they’re always too expensive when I find those.

[@CasioGreg]

You have to have dbx encoded tapes to playback in dbx. Probably why it sounded like crap.

[@glennlove461]

The ones I have are in here: That's funny

[@technixbul]

I don't like the idea of working on something and then give it away, most likely i would sell it for a low (or adequate) price or keep it for parts if i don't like it that much, those parts won't be manifactured again. And yeah i hate when my electronics doesn't work, most of all i prefer fixing them.