16
General Discussion / Re: DAT Tape sound quality.............
« on: November 19, 2011, 12:41:08 AM »
Well, I had thought (wrongly) DAT would be more 'robust' and reliable.
TP-027, Jerry Garcia / David Grisman wins a Writer's Choice Award from Myles Astor of Positive Feedback Online
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17
Tape Tech / Re: Tube pre-amp vs. Tube amp..........
« on: November 18, 2011, 07:11:47 PM »
I finally decided to go either all SS, or pre-tube and SS after auditioning several times.
18
General Discussion / Re: DAT Tape sound quality.............
« on: November 18, 2011, 07:03:35 PM »
Many thanks to you all. I thought about getting a TOTL DAT deck (they come mostly very cheap), and using it for making my own mix tape from digital source, and maybe archieval purpose.
I'll just stick to open reels and cassettes.
I'll just stick to open reels and cassettes.
19
General Discussion / DAT Tape sound quality.............
« on: November 18, 2011, 12:50:09 AM »
How is it? Does it sound 'analog' 'enough'?
Does it approach 7 1/2 ips, at least 4 track?
Does it approach 7 1/2 ips, at least 4 track?
20
General Discussion / Lasermedia CL-100 Head & Guide Cleaner, and the Lasermedia RC-5 Roller Cleaner.
« on: November 01, 2011, 05:22:20 PM »
Being a 'cheapo', I've been using isopropyl alchohl for the heads, and just hot water for the roller.
Do these products really make 'enough' difference for those who have used them compared to alchohol and hot water?
Do these products really make 'enough' difference for those who have used them compared to alchohol and hot water?
21
General Discussion / Re: Congrats Paul!
« on: September 28, 2011, 09:31:48 AM »
And I do a little for MoFi too: Dead Can Dance, Stevie Wonder, B-52's, John Lennon, even KC and the Sunshine Band.
How do MoFi LPs compare to the MoFis from 80's? I have collected quite a bit of selection of MoFi's, especially "Let's Dance" by David Bowie.
Btw. Is the 'Demo' version of MoFi better than regular MoFis?
22
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Tape Machine Compatibility Database Project
« on: September 22, 2011, 09:00:02 AM »Another is the Technics RS1520. Others are adaptable - for example a low speed MX-5050BII can be reset internally for 7.5/15 ips, and it may be possible to activate the IEC EQ on NAB type RS1500s.
I'm puzzled by that 'may'. Has it been done? If so, then it can be done or not? Sorry if this has been answered already.
Sometimes I see a good deal or two for 1500s, that's why I'm asking.
23
Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Ravel/Andre Clyutens tapes commanding big prices!
« on: September 22, 2011, 06:06:02 AM »what is up with that? Are these tapes that good, or what? The prices I am seeing on these tapes are pretty ridiculous for 4-track tapes. That being said, over the last couple of months the prices in general for 4-track tapes has skyrocketing, any ideas why?
After witnessing and archiving the rtr pre-recorded tapes, this goes through cycles. One very common Venture tape (7 1/2 4 track) was recently sold around $70! I remember buying the very same title in the similar condition described at 99 cents about a year ago!
24
Raw Tape / Re: Tape Woes
« on: September 21, 2011, 02:55:27 AM »I eventually got most of my 468 to run well but it took a lot of running in. It's just a bit too wide for my transport. Couple that with it's thickness and you get strange issues. Once it shaved itself to fit my transport it sounds just fine.
What deck did you use your 468 on?
25
Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Adding leader at the beginning and end of pre-recorded tapes...........
« on: September 21, 2011, 12:52:36 AM »
Anything that keeps the recorded portion of the tape from being "handled" while threading it onto the machine. Just like vinyl, dust is the enemy of tape (that's where many drop outs come from). The oils from your skin will "hold" dust particles to the tape surface not to mention any other contaminant that could be transfered to the tape by touching it
That's one reason why I wear surgical gloves whenever I handle RTR tapes and LPs, or am I being paranoid?
Sometimes when I am not into 'serious' listening, and don't want to go through the 'ritual', I just pop in the cassette.
26
General Discussion / Re: Forum update
« on: September 20, 2011, 06:43:51 AM »Sorry to disturb the nest here. An update to the forum software was necessary, and in the process the old visual theme that we used made the forum unusable.
For a moment, I thought this forum became defunct.
27
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Tape Machine Compatibility Database Project
« on: September 20, 2011, 12:09:29 AM »
I see you also have the RT-2022. Where do they rank in your Tape Project machines?
My tapeproject machines? They're the only TP machines I have for now. So among the potential TP machines I have heard (Studer 800 series, Lyrec Frida, Technics, Otaris, Tascams, TOTL Tandbergs, Nagras, Stellavox) in terms of value, I rate RT-2022 the highest. (Not anymore, people are discovering RT-2022, and bidding up the price so they're no longer killer value.)
In terms of pure sonics, they're not too shabby. To my ears, they actually are a notch above the rest of Pioneer RTRs, which are okay, but not great to my ears anyway.
Btw. 2022 sounds quite a bit better than 2044. 2022 definitely sounds better than Otaris, in stock form, at least. It's a toss up between TOTL Studers, Tandbergs, Tascam, Technics, vs. 2022, sonically, but pressed, my ears prefer 2022.
Now, I do have to confess Nagra T does sound better significantly than 2022, but how much does it cost compared to 2022?
Personally, I think Revox is quite overrated sonically.
Sonically, the best sounding RTR to my ears is Nagra T.
28
Prerecorded Tapes / Someone must be a super ABBA fan...........
« on: September 18, 2011, 11:42:13 AM »
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230671415568?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
I remember getting the same tape for about $35 about a year ago.
I remember getting the same tape for about $35 about a year ago.
29
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Tape Machine Compatibility Database Project
« on: September 18, 2011, 09:54:02 AM »
Great. Thank you.
30
Tape Project Machines / On sonic improvement of 'wider' tapes .............
« on: September 18, 2011, 08:59:37 AM »
Again, I didn't want to hijack a thread so I started a new one in proper forum.
Question 1;
Other than improved treble, would using 'wider' tapes also have better 'wow and flutter'? since given everything else equal 'wider' tape would have more 'stable' tape movement since 'wider' tape has more 'traction'.
Kinda like skinny tires vs. fat tires.
Question 2;
Would roller bearing guide have more impact (both sonic wise, and the stress on the motors) on wider tapes since fixed guide would create more friction or 'scrapping' on wider tapes?
To address your second question, yes, a 1/2" copy should sound a little better than 1/4" regardless of the width of the original master. The issue is of generational loss, and with all else equal the wider the format you dupe to the higher the fidelity to the original source. That's why we use 1" running masters - more iron particles are imprinted with signal on the wider tracks and S/N ratio is better. In theory a 1" subscription will be even better in terms of retaining the info from the original master than 1/2". If anyone has the budget, the machine and the inclination we could do a subscription in 1".
Question 1;
Other than improved treble, would using 'wider' tapes also have better 'wow and flutter'? since given everything else equal 'wider' tape would have more 'stable' tape movement since 'wider' tape has more 'traction'.
Kinda like skinny tires vs. fat tires.
Question 2;
Would roller bearing guide have more impact (both sonic wise, and the stress on the motors) on wider tapes since fixed guide would create more friction or 'scrapping' on wider tapes?