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Messages - draka1032

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1
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / 1/4 track heads on a Studer A-810?
« on: December 04, 2009, 10:18:05 PM »
Has anybody done this? I have a 1/2 track A-810 and as thinking of getting another and fitting 1/4 track heads, perhaps Revox, to it for playback of my prerecorded 1/4 track tapes. Opinions?

2
Thanks Ki. It worked out well! :)

3
How did the Tamiya model paint work on your A-810?

4
Tape Tech / Sony TC-880-2 Reel - service needed in Canada (prefer Ontario)
« on: September 26, 2009, 10:28:22 PM »
I have owned this machine for several years. I purchased it from an eldery man who had owned it since new. I had Terry Witt rebuild the pinch rollers and at one time had it serviced by a self described tape deck expert who returned it to me sounding worse than when I sent it to him. I recently had Roger Ginsley, the Studer specialist in Toronto look at it after overhauling my A-810. Here are his comments:
 
I spent a couple of hours with the Sony.

They do have a strange way of thinking. They specify everything (level wise) to their own product part number and do not mention what the level is in the real world.

For example I reference levels in either decibels or fluxivity.

But it did not stop me checking for unity gain which was way off (10dB)

The good news is at 15ips on 2trk heads the machine is now correct and aligned. The frequency response was very flat.

Also had to tweek the record azimuth but for 15ips the machine is pretty good and sounding OK.

Not great at 7.5ips as Sony only provided one set of main adjustments that obviously have to be optimized for the one speed.

For 4trk the playback level was considerably down on one side (Ch.1) at 10KHz (-10dB)

There was inadequate adjustment range to correct this. I also noticed severe distortion on this channel. But OK for 2trk,

So I suspect that there is an electronic problem.

If you are happy with running the machine at 15ips and 2trk then thats OK

Otherwise I would recommend an authorized Sony dealer to fix the 4trk problem.



Here is my response:

 

Hi Roger:


Sorry for the delay in responding. I have been away for most of the week. Would it be possible to optimize the Sony for recording at 7 ? IPS?
I would likely use the A-810 for any 15 IPS recording. As for the ? track playback, would you know of anyone who could troubleshoot that issue?
Sony provides no support for the machine any more.
 
And Rogers's response:
 

Hi Kevin:

I have had no luck with the machine at 7.5ips

Channel 1 playback is severely distorted and in record there is a huge high frequency loss (over 10dB)

The machine needs to be checked by someone not only familiar with Sony but also can match their specific test requirements.

Most of the technical information reflects back to Sony's own part numbers which is meaningless to someone not used to their procedures -or in my case I do not have their test tapes etc.
 
I did recalibrate the head azimuth for 7.5ips ( you can only optimize the machine for one or other of the tape speeds - though this is common to all tape machines).

I also optimized the playback for 7.5ips but I can assure you that the machine needs some expert work.

Even with 15ips it was OK but the 4trk configuration at either speed this is not very good at all.

 

Does anyone know of a qualified tech who could deal with this machine?

 

Many thanks,

 

Kevin Rogers


5
Thanks Ki.

6
Thanks for the answer. I would be very interested in the Studer number when you find it.

7
Hello all:


I just had my Studer A-810 overhauled and it sounds great. I would like to touch up some small marks on the front. Does anyone know where to find the grey pain that Studer uses or have a number for it?

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: 15 IPS tapes
« on: June 04, 2009, 06:38:30 AM »
I have some as well.

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Cassette version of tape project.............
« on: June 03, 2009, 06:30:05 AM »
The Nakamichi cassettes were real time dubs on to TDK MA metal tape. The Delos were real time dubs onto TDK MA-R tapes. The Nautilus were real time dubs on to Maxell UDXL-II. The In-Sync were also on TDK SA-X in some cases and I believe that all of the later ones were real time dubs. The MFSL were real time dubs onto BASF chrome tape in special housings. The DMP were real time dubs onto either Scotch Type II or TDK SA.

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Cassette version of tape project.............
« on: June 02, 2009, 04:46:34 PM »
I collect so-called "audiophile" cassettes. I have a number by MFSL, Nakamichi, In-Sync, Nautilus, Delos, DMP and other smaller labels. The better ones sound quite amazing. I am always looking to fill in gaps in my collection if anyone is interested in trading. I have many duplicates

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Rock/Pop-"The Best Of,.." Thread
« on: May 31, 2009, 11:09:58 AM »
Hi:
I live in Ontario, Canada roughly half way between Toronto and Detroit, Michigan. I got into reels in the mid 70S when I worked at Audio stores while at University. I remember buying the Stereotape James Taylor's Greatest Hits, Gordon Lightfoot - Gord's Gold and Elton John's Greatest Hits from a store on Yonge Street in Toronto called Superb Sound. I have always loved Reels and own around 25 reel machines. I also like to collect  "Audiophile" prerecorded cassettes like Nakamichi, Nautilus, In-Sync, Delos, MFSL etc. I guess that I am an anachrophile as although I have CDs and DVD Audio and SACD, I still feel that analog is the closest to live music.

Kevin

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Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Rock/Pop-"The Best Of,.." Thread
« on: May 30, 2009, 04:29:54 PM »
Hello all:
I have not posted previously. In answer to the question about Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells on Stereotape. I have several copies, including a "one off" dolby copy. The person I got it from, many years ago, told me that he lived near the Stereotape facility and took back a copy of Tubular Bells because he thought it was a bit noisy, so they ran him a dolby copy. I haven't listened to this title for many years, but my recollection is that it was quite good. I currently have about 2000 prerecorded tapes, including Barclay Crocker and most Stereotape releases. The only 1/2 track I have, for the most part, are around 200 King Biscuit Flower Hour, BBC Rock Hour and Superstar Concert Series original
7 1/2 IPS 1/2 track live concert rrecordings and some master dubs. This site is great and very informative.

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