Messages

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Otari MX-5050BII - question on equalization calibration

« on: February 01, 2023, 12:22:58 PM »

It has been awhile since I posted here last - this used to be THE place for the RTR community, so here goes.  For many years I had a Technics RS1520, which had the advantage of switchable IEC/NAB equalization.  I sent it to Jeff Jacobs for a refit, which was not possible.  Not being a fan of the Technics tape path (I am all thumbs) I wanted to replace it with something else, and Jeff was able to set me up with a Tascam BR20, and I totally prefer the tape path on that.  That one is switchable as well.  But....I would actually love to play 4 track tapes in my better living room system (I have a Tandberg and Akai in my office, but no room for them in my living room), and I am looking at an Otari MX-5050BII 2, which has a 4 track head as well as the two track.  I downloaded a copy of the users manual, and the equalization switch is on the back, not the front like the Technics and the Tascam, but the manual says, and I quote "NAB or IEC for 3-3/4, 7-1/2 and 15 ips.  Switchable on the rear panel, but calibration is necessary."  Does this mean for recording only, or does one need to calibrate for playback as well?  I have been switching on the Tascam - I have all of the TPP tapes, of course, and I have also collected a few 7.5 ips 2 track NAB tapes as well, which I have been playing.  Thanks for any insight here.

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Istomin: Mozart Piano Concertos / I'm waiting to comment on this release until I get my speakers back

« on: March 05, 2017, 03:26:21 PM »

A few months ago my amp blew (Classe SA5300) and the incident damaged my Magnepan 3.7s. I sent them back to the factory for repair and also to be upgraded to the 3.7i version.  My dealer was kind enough to loan me a pair of MMGs, which, while not sounding too bad, clearly are inferior to the 3.7s, which they should be, at 10% of the cost.  I listened to Tape A of this release through the MMGs, but I realized that this isn't a fair evaluation.

First reaction is that this is a more romantic performance that we are accustomed to these days, but I'll reserve further comments until I have the 3.7is in the system.  They ship on Monday.

BTW, the Classe has blown channels twice.  The first time wasn't as bad - only the amp was damaged.  I have had extensive discussions with them, and I believe we won't see a repeat of this.  They also extended the warranty.

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Tape Project Albums - general / When will we see a spot for discussion about TP 029?

« on: January 26, 2017, 12:01:39 PM »

Mine finally arrived.  Looking forward to hearing it.

4

General Discussion / Re: Tape Storage

« on: January 06, 2017, 12:37:18 PM »

Larry, I have to admit that I haven't seen those in person - I am NOT a fan of actually going to an Ikea store.  A  friend of mine (he is one of the two people I know who owns more LPs than you) just bought 40 of them.  OK, for the record (no pun intended), his name is Dave Terrell, he lives in SoCal, and owns about 50K records - he managed to snag the entire collection of the SoCal college library system. The other you know, or he says he knows you - Brian at the Analog Room- he told me owns 47K. OTOH, I don't know that either of them own all of the Deccas and EMIs......

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General Discussion / Re: Reorganization of the Tape Project

« on: January 06, 2017, 10:33:46 AM »

Larry, you're probably ahead of the game having two ATRs!

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General Discussion / Tape Storage

« on: January 06, 2017, 10:32:25 AM »

I am going to be moving my tapes from my office into what we call the "music room".  (We call it that because I keep my two guitars there, one Spanish and one steel string.  Sadly, I am a poor guitar player, but they look great).  I also keep my jazz and popular LPs there, using Mapleshade storage units.  Just curious what others use for tape storage.  The Mapleshade look good, but there are a few negatives.  In my office, where my classical LPs reside, I use Ikea Expedit, which unfortunately have been discontinued by Ikea.

7

General Discussion / Re: Retiring!

« on: December 26, 2016, 12:49:01 PM »

When you guys started this, the LP revival was still in its infancy, and tape was something that I thought we would never see again.....little did we know that we would see multiple producers of tapes, with a wide variety of music, and multiple manufacturers of equipment by 2016.  The Tape Project was (and is) a game changer, and the three of you should be very proud of that.

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Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Tp 029 and 030

« on: December 11, 2016, 01:56:33 PM »

Lucky dude!  I think I am at least 50 in line behind you!

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Tape Project Machines / Re: User Manual for Technics RS1520?

« on: November 17, 2016, 08:10:13 PM »

Please do what I did 8 years ago - go to hifiengine, register, and download it.

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Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Tp 029 and 030

« on: November 09, 2016, 12:14:39 PM »

The Mozart concerto recording was Stereophile's recording of the month in May 1996:

http://www.stereophile.com/recordingofthemonth/748/index.html#kj2OIzRJEiEx91iH.97

Also listed in records to die for the following review.  And while there is no Fanfare review, Michael Ullman had this on his "want list" for 1996, though without commentary.

Looking forward to it - IMO, after the operas, Mozart's greatest body of work is represented by the piano concertos.

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Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Tp 029 and 030

« on: November 08, 2016, 04:13:38 PM »

Thanks, Larry.  Any word on what the TP gang used for the Brahms sessions?

By the way, they mentioned several years ago they wanted to do something live and now it has happened - although I had hoped we all would be invited as a live audience - sort of a Waltz for Debby ambience.  I expected they would do a jazz or roots type of recording = the Brahms is totally unexpected and very welcome.  Now about that jazz or roots, with us as a live audience....hell, I volunteer to mix the martinis!  Well, only if I can do them my way....gin, very dry, straight up, with olives. Shaken, not stirred.

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Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Tp 029 and 030

« on: November 08, 2016, 12:59:56 PM »

BTW - receiving one of these before Christmas would be terrific!

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Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Tp 029 and 030

« on: November 08, 2016, 11:49:32 AM »

Larry, that's great info - much appreciated.  I didn't realize that anyone was still making analog recordings in the mid-90s? 

Also, I am sure there is a great story about the Cypress Quartet, et al, recordings.  I am assuming that this was an old fashioned analog recording - i.e., on tape - as well.

14

Suggestion Box / Choral music

« on: November 07, 2016, 11:20:20 AM »

I think large scale choral music would benefit greatly from a Tape Project release, and would be something completely different.  What I mean by this is something like, say Brahms' Requiem. 

15

Suggestion Box / Re: I guess...

« on: November 07, 2016, 11:18:00 AM »

IMO, he already had that right....but which Bob Dylan would we like to see?  Blood on the Tracks would be my own first choice.