Messages

2491

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Technics RS1500 head rewiring

« on: February 06, 2007, 07:00:57 PM »

The service manual I have for my rs1500us has a supplement for all the differences in the rs1506. The only parts changes are the head base plate, the deletion of a head spacer and the different heads. The colors I gave you on the Bottlehead forum were for the 1500 and because of the 1/2 and 1/4 track playback heads being on the opposite side of the head block, I'm sure the wiring is the other way around like you said. The 1/2 track head should be centered while the 1/4 track is off set. Following the tape path;
#1. 1/2 track playback
#2.1/4 track erase
#3.1/4 track recording
#4.1/4 track playback

2492

Raw Tape / Re: Recommendations for tape

« on: February 02, 2007, 09:11:53 PM »

I just took the RS1500 into a shop to have it biased for RMGI 911. I'm also having one of the settings checked for bias with 456 so it will be dead on also. When I get it back, I'll do a comparison between the two with some live recordings I've made. The recordings have no compression, eq, or other nasties. They are digital though but sound very "live". My tech is pretty busy, so it'll be a few weeks. I'm having all the alignments done too, so hopefully, I'll be able to give you guys a pretty good idea what to expect from 911.

2493

General Discussion / Re: "Audiophile" tape decks - Mark Levinson ML-5

« on: February 02, 2007, 08:43:38 PM »

Thanks for the link Charles. I have most of the records that were made in the Mark Levinson Acoustic Recording Series. I still listen to them, particularly the piano recording. Here's some of the blurb on the inner cover;
This record was produced without compromise.
Mark Levinson Audio Systems built special equipment for use with calibration microphones and high speed wide track tape format to create virtually noiseless, ultra low distortion master tapes, without noise reduction systems.
Robert Ludwig mastered the records by feeding the original tape through a custom mixer directly to the cutting amplifier rack with no filtering, limiting, or other added effects.
CIDS in France, developed special pressing techniques to produce the most quiet record surfaces posible with today's material and technology, and the skill of their chiefs of staff.
For the Acoustic Recording Series, musicians were asked to prepare programs which could be released without splicing passages. In this way, the coherency and immediacy of the musical event, rather than the note by note perfection of the spliced tape, are preserved.

Funny, they aren't very thick or heavy like the "audiophile" pressings today. But man, they sure sound great!

2494

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Tips for playing virgin pre-records?

« on: January 31, 2007, 06:13:26 PM »

I think paper leader is less durable but it's easier to thread IMHO. Plastic is kinda slick, so you need more pressure on the windings to keep it from slipping. I used to always use paper because it's also easer to write on ( tails out, length before recording etc.) and if a bit sticks out from the wind, it doesn't make as much noise as it goes around. I've been using plastic lately though. I didn't know they still made paper. Where'd you find it?

2495

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Rack ears...

« on: January 31, 2007, 12:11:39 AM »

Hey Doc,.. Nice write-up from Danny! ( it could use a little copy-proofing though ) I'd think you could get those rack ears fab'ed and powder coated for really cheap. I'd be interested if it comes in pretty cheap. Also, in all you rs1500 hunting, have you ever found the adapter for using the deck from a car battery? The only place I've ever seen mention of one is this german site where they have all kinds of rs1500 stuff for crazy, absolutely insane prices ( I think a new headblock was over $700 Yikes!). I'll try and find that one again, just for laughs.

2496

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: RS1500 hub adapter spacers

« on: January 27, 2007, 01:03:54 AM »

Ok, I've got the stock Technics, a pair of Revox, and a pair of Teac 10.5" hub adapters. When I put each of these on an aluminum 10.5" reel, they are all flush with the inner side of the reel. I measured a plastic 7" reel ( that I have used for years as a take-up reel on several machines with no rubbing ) and the metal 10.5". The overall thickness is the same. The inner space ( where the tape goes ) isn't.  The plastic reel is 8mm and the metal 9-10mm ( it's been around the block). So, obviously, the metal is thinner. So that would only give the metal reel moreclearance. So, I took a straight edge and took a look at the reel turntables. You know, it has that rubbery pad on it with the 6 raised disks around the pin and then a raised ring at its border. The raised disks and ring are flush with each other. When the 7" reel is on, it rests on the disks and the ring. Same with the metal reel but less on the disks. But, since the disks and the rings are at the same height, it shouldn't matter. So, why the spacers?

2497

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: RS1500 hub adapter spacers

« on: January 26, 2007, 06:34:15 PM »

I just listened to mine and there is a super low level whirring from the capstan motor in play. I have to put my ear about an inch from the center of the deck to hear it though. My laptop makes 10 times more noise when the fan is at low speed ( Apple powerbook). Some of my pre-recorded r2r tapes supply reel seem a little out of whack so the tape rubs a little when it gets to that spot. Very annoying! ( Maybe 4 out of 150 ) I keep meaning to add some replacement reels to an order. But , these are all 7" reels and I don't need any spacer. The aluminum reels are much thinner. I just check out 3 different sets of 10.5" reel adapters and when on a reel, they are all flush with the back of the reel (metal). I never used a spacer on any of the other decks that I've had.

2498

Service Resources / Re: Revox Service

« on: January 24, 2007, 11:42:31 PM »

These guys can completely rebuild you Revox all the way back to G36's. They have a large inventory of just about any part. Outside of europe, this is The place in North America for Revox's. As you might imagine, they aren't cheap either. They usually have a pretty good stock of fully refurbished machines. If you own a Revox, you should know about them.

2499

Service Resources / Re: JRF Magnetic Sciences!

« on: January 24, 2007, 12:20:17 AM »

John French along with Jay McKnight are among the few ex-Ampex folks that are still in the industry. JFR makes the custom heads for the Manley Tapehead preamp. According to the blurb on Manley's website, they're 500 Mhy.

2500

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Some R2R resources for first time owners

« on: January 23, 2007, 10:36:32 PM »

These are pretty elementary but were good for finding some parts, manuals, and just general info.
angelfire.com
vintage-electronic.cc
Most of the machines aren't suitable for the Tape Project . But we all gotta start somewhere.
Shoot! I was hoping to show an image in the above"?" but I always have trouble doing that. Well here's something for everybody. Just go to this site and scroll on down till you see the 24 rs1500's.drakechenault.org under Behind the Scenes.

2501

Tape Tech / Re: Hey Paul, any plans on another bias clinic

« on: January 21, 2007, 10:44:22 PM »

Thanks Paul. I forgot about AES being here then. That makes sense. I didn't hear about AES until I had plans to go to the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Fest.. It was a blast as always and probably better for me. I've read a few AES reports and they make my tiny head spin.

2502

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Technics RS1500 head rewiring

« on: January 21, 2007, 10:36:02 PM »

I was super lucky with the one I got. I was pretty sure of that but your post confirms it. Even the side panels are in great shape. I do have a scratch on the headblock and on one knob but it works perfectly. Thanks for the pic's on the head rewiring but,.. that's way too easy for me! I'm probably going for some fancy smancy cables. I was wondering what kind of wiring you use in the repo amp. I think it's best to use "like" wiring as far as is reasonable especially with very low signal levels.
BTW I noticed from the CES pic's that you were using what looks like Revox hubs with the flanges. Did you have to alter them at all to fit over the pins on the Technics. I have a pair of the stock black plastic ones that I saved for some crazy reason from an A77 that I sold in 1982! The cut-out for the tabs are too small to fit over the pins on my 1500 so I thought that the aluminum ones wouldn't either. I'd like to get some ( they look soooo cool!) if they fit.

2503

Suggestion Box / Re: Test tones on ALL tape releases??

« on: January 21, 2007, 12:49:01 PM »

I second that! I love war stories about this kinda stuff!

2504

Tape Tech / Spec's for RS1500 heads (so far)

« on: January 20, 2007, 04:25:56 AM »

For whom it may concern,..playback only;
The heads in this post are the stock Technics heads;
The Flux Magnetics heads in Doc's upgraded RS1500;
Heads installed @ JFR on Mike Paschetto's ( of Progressive-Engineering ) RS1500 as more tube friendly heads than stock (I believe they are Tascam and Panasonic but I don't know which is which)
Flux Mag.      1/2 track   200 Mhy    45 ohm DCR
Stock            1/2 track   200 Mhy   185 ohm DCR
JFR               1/2 track   370 Mhy   500 ohm DCR
Stock            1/4 track   400 Mhy   350 ohm DCR
JFR               1/4 track   560 Mhy   400 ohm DCR
I case anyone else was wondering, the rs1500 that Tim deParavincini modded and was also a CES 07 uses stock heads according to a poster @AA.

2505

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Technics RS1500 head rewiring

« on: January 20, 2007, 03:59:43 AM »

I think that you'd have to add some sort of switch since the stock playback electronics on the rs1500 are on when the machine is powered up. I have my seduction connected to the taps on the 1/2>1/4 track switch and out the front as illustrated in the original rs1500 pics on the Bottlehead seduction web site. So it is no longer connected to the stock playback electronics.