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Messages - mikel

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151
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: update on Studer A-820
« on: April 05, 2008, 08:49:11 AM »
update; 

Fred has suggested 2 changes/updates to my A-820;

one is a Single-Head Reproducer.....Fred explains.

"The stock machine (like yours) had, in order, an erase head, a record head, and a reproduce head.

Any tape put on the machine is then dragged across the faces of all three of these heads.

We think this is really dumb, really bad, especially if all we actually need to do is PLAY a tape.

So we remove the erase and the record heads, move the repro head to a new position, add scrape flutter reduction rollers, re-adjust the running tape tensions and then discover that it all sounds so much better because we have just eliminated the scrape flutter excitation caused by the unneeded erase and record heads. (And we also reduce the wear on our valuable tapes!)

So, that's the concept behind the ATAE SHR (single-head-reproducer), in a nutshell."

in addition to this recommendation, Fred also recommeded something called an 'external calibrated azimuth control'.....which is like VTA for a tonearm. it will allow quick and easy adjustment to the head azimuth.

i'm planning on having Fred modify the head stack to SHR, and add the azimuth control. then he will load the beast into his truck and deliver it to me here in the Seattle area. i will get to watch as he sets it up.

i can't wait.

mikel


152
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: update on Studer A-820
« on: March 24, 2008, 08:00:35 AM »
Steve,

thanks for the thoughts and especially for the link.

Chris,

i do not ever anticipate doing recording. i suppose there is a remote possibility of making copies of other tapes at some point; but even that is very unlikely. i'm a listener.

your point regarding how other repro electronics are likely better then the Levinson and that the A-820 is maybe a little better transport than the A-80 is exactly what has held me back from making the trade. so far my plan was to get the A-820, compare it 'stock' to my ATR-102 and then install custom electronics to whichever i prefer. i'm balancing that perspective with the fact that the ML-5 is an already well sorted out unit that would be installed and tweaked by Fred.

anyway; i really appreciate the feedback.....any other thoughts are very welcome.

Mikel

153
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: update on Studer A-820
« on: March 23, 2008, 11:22:55 PM »
Craig,

thank you for taking the time to respond. your story about Dean Roumanis, the ML-5 and your tape is very helpful.

and i thank you for your recommendation that i proceed with the ML-5.....i'm leaning that way.

i will consider contacting Mr. Curl about his perspective.

i wonder if anyone has an idea how DeParavincini output electronics would compare to the ML-5? or the ML-5 to the Aria?

Mikel


154
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: update on Studer A-820
« on: March 23, 2008, 08:01:43 PM »
i have a question.

Fred Thal has been sorting out my A-820 (the subject of this thread).....and while i was waiting i noticed that he had an A80/RC--ML-5 for sale on ebay for big bucks....$17k.....that was a month ago. The ML-5 version of the A-80 is modified with John Curl designed original Mark Levinson electronics and (according to Fred) is a particularly excellent sounding playback deck. This particular unit (an original RC version based) is original and in particularly excellent condition.

We discussed a trade for my A-820 and i have been mulling over the decision for the last few weeks. Fred thinks that first of all, the A80 is likely a more 'friendly' machine for me to own.....as far as likely repairs and fickleness. He also thinks the ML-5 output electronics are going to be superior to anything i might get 'out there'.

Since Fred is the authority on A-820's and A-80's i should probably take his advice. But before i do i thought i would ask here if anyone here can offer any advice? it is very frustrating that there is no information at all to help with this decision.

thanks in advance.

Mikel

155
False Accusations / Re: I love Mr UPS!
« on: February 16, 2008, 05:21:56 PM »
mine arrived yesterday. another 'jewel-like' production.....thanks Guys.

i have some out-of-town audio friends arriving tonight and tomorrow morning for some intense listening. 'The Tape Project' tapes #1 thru #4 will figure prominently in our listening.

I've not yet listened to #3, the Arnold Overtures, and I'm really looking forward to Robert Cray.

156
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: update on Studer A-820
« on: February 16, 2008, 09:30:00 AM »
Fred completed his initial inspection and sent me an estimate for the scope of work he recommended. It included a few repairs, relapping the heads (sent out to JFR) , a thorough cleaning, and an update to MK II status. It was not cheap and kinda took my breath away......so i took a week to consult with SWMBO (the wife).....but ultimately decided to proceed. The parts have been ordered from Switzerland, the heads are getting done, the machine is being cleaned.

Thru this process with Fred i have been learning a great deal about the 'Studer' view of the world of reel to reel tape players. I wonder if anyone else has been following the recent threads on the Studer List.........i've learned more there over the last month (although much of it is way over my head) than i learned in 6 months of research regarding reel to reel on the web. Great stuff and very entertaining.

My decision to proceed with this expensive process had mostly to do with Fred's explaination of the significance of the 'time-based' accuracy of the A-820 compared to other reel to reel players. My turntable has this advantage over all other turntables so i am familiar with the sonic advantages of getting the speed correct. I am anxious to hear how it sounds.

Fred said that the Studer A80 was an easier machine to maintain and the mods for it had been more researched and developed; but although it sounded great it could never quite match the accuracy of the A-820. It will be interesting to hear how it compares to my ATR-102.

157
General Discussion / Re: What's The Problem??
« on: January 24, 2008, 08:47:18 AM »
great topic......and one i've given lots of thought to. i want to talk about 'The Tape Project' tapes and my RTR journey so far but i'm still trying to get answers myself......so i'm reluctant to over-state my perceptions.

i am in such a learning mode and with RTR nothing happens quickly; i have gone from zero to 'where-ever' in about 5 months. i'm likely representative of a typical rabid audiophile who might dip their toes into RTR. on the one hand i'm a guy who likes 'sexy gear'.......which means getting some 20+ year old door stop of a RTR machine and having it 'refurbed' is not necessarily my normal approach.....i'm more a plug and play person. then on the other hand i am seriously curious about how far one can go......and RTR machines are sexy.

it really always comes down to software.......and so until there is enough exciting software that one can purchase......diving into RTR will be naturally blunted. in addition to 'The Tape Project' tapes i am trying to subscribe to 'The Quniton Tapes' from Europe. give me 10 or 20 top quality 15ips 1/4" master tapes that my fellow audiophiles can purchase that will rock their world and this thing will get some traction.

master tapes do have high credibility among serious audiophiles. but how many of those can be purchased? when i was checking RTR out last summer i was trying to find out just what level of performance older (7 1/2 ips 2 and 4 track) pre-recorded tapes might have......compared to top digital and especially top vinyl. i got a wide gamet of opinions on that subject.

i ended up purchasing a couple of hundred or so on ebay. so far i'm a bit underwhelmed with those. so i felt that talking much about RTR performance would need to wait until i really had a chance to have optimized gear.

if a serious audiophile was already into top level vinyl performance would he be more likely to go further into vinyl hardware and software or get into RTR tapes? i've gone all the way on vinyl......so hopefully i can help make a case that RTR can take you further. that's why i'm here.

my intention is to get back on my audiogon thread and start preaching RTR, and also on Positive Feedback......once i have it fully happening in my room.


158
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / update on Studer A-820
« on: January 24, 2008, 12:23:03 AM »
Hello All,

i had purchased a Studer A-820 back in November but could not find a proper crate to safely ship it or someone to 'get it right'. Paul Stubblebine suggested i contact Fred Thal (who runs the Studer list) and so far i have been very satisfied that Fred is the right guy for Studer help. for the last three weeks i've been reading posts on the Studer list......very entertaining and educational.

Fred constructed a purpose built crate, shipped it to the seller in Austin, Texas, and the A-820 safely and securely arrived at Fred's shop in Ukiah, California yesterday. Tonight Fred e-mailed his initial inspection report to me and it is obvious Fred is 'da man' on Studer's. He has removed and inspected 28 of the circut boards so far.

Fred says my A-820 is remarkably clean and original (not hacked up and abused.....'dead stock' is how he put it) but also is a bit dirty inside (normal for a 21 year old machine that has mostly sat idle) and in need of updating as it has been hardly used. i do not yet know what the tariff will be for the work but i am confident i will soon have a top condition A-820.

Fred's list of essential fixes and optional fixes is not yet complete......so i'm not yet out of the woods....but i'm on my way. I do enjoy Fred's very thorough way of communicating the details of his inspection and do recommend Fred as a 'go-to' guy for Studer work.

stay tuned.

159
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Portable case for Studer B67
« on: December 30, 2007, 11:31:06 PM »
Steve,

great story.....as i'm in the car business and all my cars (400+ a month) are shipped to me.....i have many horror stories over many years (cars tied down too firmly.....cars falling off transporters....etc. etc.).

yes, shipping large heavy delicate instruments can be easily screwed up.

the seller of the A-820 told me that the stand for the A-820 could not be removed......which did not make sense to me......so i asked Fred about that. he told me that it was a poor design choice by Studer......the deck can be removed from the stand......but unless it is done by someone with lots of experience they will likely end up screwing something up. So they actually design the shipping crates to have the deck and integral stand sit on it's back so the center of gravity will be lower and the whole thing can be more easily stabilized. in any case i'm happy to have someone experienced involved.

160
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Portable case for Studer B67
« on: December 30, 2007, 08:41:41 PM »
update; Fred Thal returned my e-mail and then called me.......and it appears that i have found the right place to both get a shipping crate and have the A-820 inspected and 'made right'......i am very relieved. Hopefully in the near future i'll have a first rate fully functional A-820 to use.

Fred is a guy that 'gets it'........a pro audio person with 'high end' audio sensibilities......very rare in my experience (other than Paul, Romo and Doc B. of course).

Bob; from what Fred said i would guess that he could put together a crate for your B67......it won't be cheap but it will be right. Paul's post above has his e-mail address.

again; thanks to all for the help.

161
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Portable case for Studer B67
« on: December 30, 2007, 11:26:37 AM »
Paul and Steve,

Thanks for the help; it's great to ask a question and quickly get some good ideas.

i did subscribe to the Studer List and i e-mailed Fred Thal......hopefully this will move things forward.

Dan has also offered to assist me with my ATR-102 as his time allows; which was much appreciated.

Again, thanks to all for the support.

Mike Lavigne

162
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Portable case for Studer B67
« on: December 29, 2007, 02:53:39 PM »
I'm sure Jeff will be around soon. If anyone here has experience shipping Studers, he's the man.

agree. i have read his comments both here and audioasylum and he has already gone down the road i'm traveling on.

i had e-mailed him a few times figuring he could set me straight regarding how i should proceed on a number of levels.....crates, refurbing, and output electronics. hopefully he will return from 'wherever' and we can connect.

163
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Portable case for Studer B67
« on: December 29, 2007, 01:47:16 PM »
Ooh, 820, nice!  If you've decided to send it to JFR , you should contact him about shipping. If he's going to do re-furb/mod work to it, he'd probably charge you for the crate/pallet he'd ship it back to you anyway. You might as well get it done for the trip to (NJ?) him.

i did call JFR and ask for help on the crate. all he recommended was to contact a shipping agent and have them do the best they can. he had no help on getting the correct crate. i need something that can be used from Texas to JFR in NJ and then back to me in Seattle. i am trying to find someone that can make a proper shipping container for the A-820 that will allow more conventional shipping processes than what i would need without a purpose built crate. so far if i have a company ship it as a delicate scientific instrument it will cost $1000 to $1500 per shipment....which would take all the fun out of this.

i did sign up for the Studer List from your link above, thanks. maybe someone there can give me some help.

164
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Portable case for Studer B67
« on: December 29, 2007, 09:44:26 AM »
I have found and purchased a Studer A-820; it's been sitting in central Texas for the last month (i live in the Seattle area) waiting for me to find a shipping crate for it. I PM'd and e-mailed 'Beefman' here on this forum since he owns 2 A-820's and lives in South Texas.....i figured he would know either where i could have the proper shipping crate built or maybe i could purchase one of his......Beefman has not yet responded.

i saw this mention of the Portable Case for the B67 and figured maybe someone here might have an idea about where i could find a proper crate or case for this beast. My intentions are to have the A-820 shipped to John French to have it re-cap'd and generally gone over (maybe add the Aria electronics).

any ideas? or maybe a way to contact Beefman?

thanks in advance for any help.

165
Tape Project Albums - general / Re: The last three titles for 2007
« on: September 23, 2007, 12:11:17 AM »
WOW!!!

i'd say a home run. you have set the bar very high for the future.

i admit to not being familiar with the Mose Allison......but the other 2 are all-time classics and two of my favorites. i especially look forward to comparing my 45rpm reissues of 'Waltz' and 'Colossus' to the 15 ips......that should nail it for me.......the best of vinyl compared to The Tape Project tapes.

i cannot wait. could this mean more of the Fantasy Catalog are 'in play'?

this should send a few shock-waves out there. it must have been an interesting process securing these rights.

any fence-sitters should be tipped....particularly in anticipation of the future direction.

great job and many thanks.

mikel

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