The meters do not indicate signal. While I do have a pair of earphones, I would need an adapter to get them to work because the jack is a different size.
The A77 uses a standard 1/4" stereo phone plug. Adaptors to mini plugs are less than $5 at Radio Shack. No signal on the meters indicates that either the deck is fried or that something is set wrong. It should give you something.
Even if you just hear a mild "thump" or "click" when you switch on you should hear something. I assume the reels move and you hear mechanical noises when you hit the play button. The A77 employs servo activated controls. The cover immediately above the control panel is movable, this is what you should see on the right side: http://www.taperecorder.co.uk/a77rhs.jpg The gold colored lever with the wheel on the end of it is the pinch roller lever arm. Above it is the tape driveshaft. This should engage and turn when you hit "play". It should disengage on >> or <<. I assume the deck looks like this: http://www.taperecorder.co.uk/a77big.jpg On the left side of the main panel are some other controls. These are the output selectors, below the drive engagement buttons. The knobs are volume and balance and the rings are channel and source select. Set the left ring to STEREO as in the pic and set the right ring to NAB. Look at the buttons above the transport controls. http://www.taperecorder.co.uk/a77lhs.jpg Both the light blue and red buttons should be in the unpressed state. Let me know.
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