Messages

76

Tape Project Machines / Re: MX-55 or a 5050 Mk III?

« on: August 26, 2008, 02:55:42 PM »

Both are great but do you mean Mk. 3 or BIII for the second listing?  Big difference there!  One is a console B!! and one is a stand-up model, which is the current one they sell.

BTW, The MX-55 is cool in that it does 30 IPS.  I have a MX-5050 BII, a MX-5050 BIII and a MX-5050 Mk.3 console if you need help with those---all great machines!

77

The Number White / Anyone ever compare the Naylor tape (001) to the cd version???

« on: August 24, 2008, 12:48:24 PM »

Just curious.  If so, what were your thoughts??

Regards, Joel K.

78

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MX-5050BII-2 Modification for Heads direct to XLR

« on: July 29, 2008, 04:25:07 PM »

Hi Doc,
Thanks for the advice.  My buddy solved the issue!  It turns out that the RCA connectors he installed were interfering with the chassis ground of the unit---metal to metal contact.  To fix it, he used some isolation washers around the RCA connections he installed on the deck to eliminate the metal to metal contact.  This was the source of most of the hum.  He then tied the shield connection to the chassis ground on the RCA end (like you mentioned) which eliminated all the hum.

If anyone wants to see a neat little video on all this (and my lovely Otari Mk.3 console) then PM me offline.  It's a 11.2 MB file. 

Joel Kozlowski

79

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MX-5050BII-2 Modification for Heads direct to XLR

« on: July 28, 2008, 03:55:47 PM »

Hi Gary,
Thanks for the info.

What I meant was, if I float the ground to the deck itself---using a 3 to 2 prong cheater plug--then I was able to almost completely eliminate the hum.  But, it was still there when the volume was cranked and I was within 3-4 feet of the loudspeakers.  Like you state, the gain on the Seduction is somewhat low.  I was told to perhaps add this buffer circuit, which will not only improve gain but also help impedance matching as well:
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=bottlehead&n=92206&highlight=FET+buffer&r=&session=


In my particular situation, adding a ground wire between the Seduction and the Otari increased the hum tremendously, so I left it disconnected.  The other issue that I am actually addressing is that even WITHOUT using a seduction---just the Otari electronics themselves---there is a 60Hz hum that get's "added" when I add the head wires out.  This is in about 4 different systems, including my friends house.  However, if a cheater plug is added, the hum disappears.  So, my friend and I are in search of how to eliminate this mysterious hum that does not exist UNTIL WE add the direct head out wiring on the Otari.  Then, the hum issues set in.  This is even using shielded wiring.

My Seduction had a different issue and needed to be sent in for repairs.  I'm hoping when I get it back the slight hum will also have vanished.  BTW, another thing I learned was to remove those springs from the tube shields.  There were a few posts a while back on the Bottlehead forum by people who professed that removing those springs eliminated all their hum/microphonic issues.  The springs are coupling the physical tube to the large metal plate that everything rests on.  YMMV...

Thanks again for the help and post.  I was told to seek out a "Mike Paschetto" (Mikey) who posts here and is an expert at head out wiring but I haven't got that far yet.

Joel Kozlowski

80

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MX-5050BII-2 Modification for Heads direct to XLR

« on: July 28, 2008, 12:27:20 PM »

Hi Gary,
I am having a hum issue with my Otari head out wiring.  I have both a B3 and a Mk.3 Otari console and on both units a friend of mine (who knows a lot more about this stuff then I do) and myself are getting severe hum unless either:

a) a cheater plug is used with the head out wiring connected
b) the head out wiring is disconnected all together.  Then, no hum.

We're using shielded wire internally and grounding the shield inside.

Were you getting hum before you used the lamp cord and that helped solved it?

And when you say "no hum from the listening position" does that mean that you are getting a 60Hz hum when up close to the speakers and say their is a quiet passage or in between track silence?

I will have my friend read over your post and perhaps we are doing something else wrong.

Thanks for the excellent post!!!!

Joel Kozlowski

81

General Discussion / Re: Subscribers, speak your peace

« on: July 24, 2008, 08:15:57 PM »

Thanks Doc on both accounts---First, that you liked my idea AND second that "she" is en-route!!!  ;)

82

General Discussion / Re: Subscribers, speak your peace

« on: July 24, 2008, 06:24:37 PM »

Doc--
Thanks for indirectly replying to my post on the Tape Project Album forum that has apparently gone kaput.

I'm glad to hear that there will be future releases.  I agree that it would have been a better idea to forget about the "years" and perhaps would have been better to go with something like "Series 1" for these first 10 tapes, "Series 2" for the next 10 and on and on.  That said, is it really too late to change that??  I think you could very easily with some manipulation of the text on this site.  It would also make lurkers and future subscribers to "feel better" about not getting hung up on the fact that you are behind the schedule you wanted to be at by now.  All they would know is that "Series 1" is still in production, which would be no big deal at all.  It's all about perception, that's just my .02.

I also certainly understand if perhaps the philosophy is to catch up on the first 10 before announcing the next set of releases.  Makes sense not to get too backed up.

83

Tape Project Albums - general / 2008/2009 Lineup for releases?? Or are we still catching up with 2007?

« on: July 22, 2008, 08:50:32 PM »

With all due respect and MUCH gratitude for what the TP is doing, there are a few of us curious about "the future".  Of course we understand that you are at maximum capacity and those that have come THIS far in the search for the Holy Audio Grail should be patient.  However, the biggest fear is that you fine folks at the TP will get burned out on this tedious process of releasing open reel master dubs and not release anything further then what has been announced.

That said, we are halfway through 2008 with no new announcements on future releases for this year.  A lot of text on this site is still stuck in the year 2007 and I don't believe the 10 releases that were due out for 2007 have even made it out by this point in 2008.

Any word on any NEW releases for this year or early 2009?  The Absolute Sound mentioned listening to "Tutti" on tape yet I don't see that mentioned anywhere on this site.  Is that a release we can look forward to?

Anyhow, just looking for any new info.  An "outsider" or "newcomer" may look at this site and scratch their head as to why the year 2007 is mentioned so much when we are heading into 2009 shortly!

As a subscriber I want to make sure that the fire keeps burning at TP!!  Any new news for releases?

84

Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Six Moons and the Tape Project

« on: July 22, 2008, 08:22:12 PM »

Hi Joe,
All I can say is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Beautiful system and a nice writeup.  You must be very proud!  Thanks for the link, I shared it with some friends.

Has Trelli been by to hear the TP tapes yet????  We need to get that young man a turntable and some tapes!!!!

Regards, Joel

85

The Number White / Re: 1st Two Tapes Arrive

« on: July 22, 2008, 07:56:42 PM »

Hi Joe,
Have you compared the "Arnold" tape to the LP yet?  Thoughts??
Regards, Joel

86

Raw Tape / Re: What brand/type of tape are the TP releases on???

« on: July 11, 2008, 01:50:29 PM »

Thanks guys!!

87

Raw Tape / What brand/type of tape are the TP releases on???

« on: July 10, 2008, 06:09:20 PM »

I don't see this mentioned anywhere.  Just curious as to what type they feel to be the "best" at quarter inch that is still "obtainium" today.....

88

Suggestion Box / Re: Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section

« on: April 15, 2008, 04:23:04 PM »

I agree on this one!  $457 is too rich for my blood for a 40 year old tape sight-unseen off Epay.  It's a classic.....