TP-027, Jerry Garcia / David Grisman wins a Writer's Choice Award from Myles Astor of Positive Feedback Online

Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - rbwtapeinterlink-Bob

Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 20
16
Tape Tech / My New Amina HD4 Tube Playback Head Pre Amp
« on: September 13, 2013, 04:01:48 PM »
Good afternoon everyone,
I've tried for the past several hours to re-write a lengthy piece of what's been happening with me for the past year. Each time I re-wrote what I wanted to say and tried to attache photos of my system, there was a long wait and everything vanished. Yes, the entire post was gone. So, now, let me just say that I've got my new tube tape head pre amp. Actually, as much as I wanted the Tube Repro, I could not afford it. So, I asked my engineer/tech Mr. Benny Amina if he could build such a pre amp. He said he could given time since he not only repairs high end audio for those in the Atlanta, Georgia area, but he and his staff builds and sells speaker systems, amplifiers and preamps they sell on their website. Initially, Mr. Amina said he could build my pre amp for about $1600 dollars. I gave him the Ok but knew it would be 6 months to one year before he would have it ready, what with all of the testing required. Long story short, Mr. Amina finally called me and said he had completed the pre amp and it would cost me $1195.00. I was so overjoyed I had to sit down. Grinning for ear to ear I arranged to pick up the HD4 tube tape head preamp plus my Tascam 42B tape deck which I left with him to make sure everything worked. By the way, I had to contact Mr. John French (JFR Magnetics) for advice on a playback head. This very nice man recommended the pro Nortronics Laminated (400mHy) playback head. He also said he would have to build a shoe so that the Nortronics would fit my Tascam. The price for all of his hard work was very reasonable. I was more than pleased.

The sound of the combination HD4 tube preamp and the Nortronics head is fantastic. I wanted a preamp that may not approach the sound of the awesome Tube Repro, King Cello or the DeHavilland pre amps, but would give me and others maximum pleasure non-the-less. As a retiree living on a fixed income I was looking to purchase a tube head preamp I could afford and really did not want to spend more than $1500 dollars maximum. There is more to this story but I don't want to do a lot of writing and it all vanishes. I think it might have been due to not knowing how to properly attach my audio system photos. Someone will have to help me with that since I am not all that computer literate. At any rate during 2 listening sessions with friends, we were all pleased with what we heard. My tech, Mr. Benny Amina of Atlanta, Georgia can be found in the "Service Resource" session here. I will post photos when I am sure how to do it properly. Thanks so much guys for all your guidance and support. The photo of my pre amp file is too large and won't post. Please PM me and I will email photo to you.

             Here is the link to photos of my music system speakers, tape deck and new Amina HD4 Tube Tape Head Preamp>>>>>>>  https://www.dropbox.com/sc/e89sy7as4gb82lt/J8Q4GfekBM

17
Hello all,

Finally, I am going to try and provide a link as well as briefly describe what a great time we had when Paul Stubblebine paid us a visit. Some of the club members joined those of us who arrived early to set up the room where the activities were to take place. A friend of mine, Pablo and I hauled out our tape decks. Mine, the Tascam 32-2B and Pablo's, the Otari MX-55. There was one time when a recording was playing and no one knew which tape deck (the Technics or MX-55) was providing the music. Note when some of the guys up front begin to point over to their left where the MX-55 was positioned.

By the way this video was made available by a fine member of our club, Mr. John Clower who actually does this for a living. The tape deck used for much of the time was a Technics 1500 which was provided by Nick, program director. I've also got to give a shout out to Mr. John Morrison, our club president and Mr. Chuck Bruce, who is in charge of Industry Relations. Chuck also provided the EAR pre and power amp. After the meeting concluded, some of the members accompanied Paul out to dinner. I was beginning to feel ill and did not go. By the way, that me in the blue cap with my wife sitting to my right. I don't expect the fidelity of the music played to come though on this video. The main aim is to give you all of what was said by Paul and just a bit of the atmosphere on this beautiful day. As you can see and hear, Paul was his usual awesome self. Thank you so much Mr. Stubblebine for bringing such joy to us.  Please follow the link below:

http://vimeo.com/70221373

Bob W.

18
General Discussion / Re: The Miles Davis Story
« on: July 15, 2013, 11:45:32 AM »
Hello Listens2Tubes,
You are right on target my friend. I had not even given any thought to colleges (schools) with dark room, etc. Man, that's great. I have negatives that need to be printed. I will follow your lead sir.

Bob W.

19
General Discussion / Re: The Miles Davis Story
« on: July 14, 2013, 12:34:56 PM »
Hello and good Sunday afternoon to you and yours c1ferrari,

I just came from church and wanted to respond to your question. Sam, while I worked for the Dept Of The Army in Germany I had many wonderful experiences where jazz was concerned. I was blessed to work at a club in Frankfurt Germany as a photographer. Mind you, when I left Washington DC I had a Minolta 35mm manual camera but would only call myself a rank beginner. When I arrived in Germany and after beginning to learn my job as an addictions program manager and how to get around, I learned of a photo lab on a nearby military post. After checking it out, I found out the manager was willing to teach me about the camera in all it's glory. When I had been under his instructions for about 7 months, I started going on weekends to a jazz club in Frankfurt. I got to know the manager who would permit me to take photos only if I promised him 3 (9x14) black and whites of every jazz musician who came to the club. I promised I would. Each time a talent would come to play, I would do the photos. By the way, I processed each print myself in the photo lab. I took photos of many jazz greats to include Dizziy Gilesspie, Nat Adderly, Woody Shaw, Chet Baker, Joe Henderson, the Heath brothers, and others. Many jazz greats would stop in Germany from Paris to make extra money before returning to the USA.

I have a stash of negatives brought back from Germany I was never able to process. I keep telling myself I am going to get them done here in the USA. Everything is digital now so I've got to find a photo business that is still processing 35mm negatives. I don't dare take them to Walmart or CVS Pharmacy who is going the try and process them through a machine.  Anyway, thanks for asking sir. You may PM me if you have other questions sir.

Bob W.

20
Hello all and hope you, your family and friends all had a great 4th of July. I was sick but am feeling much better today. Most of you know I've had my Tascam modified with cables running out from the playback heads and terminated in high end RCA plugs. Before I share what I learned about my Tascam tape deck, I've got to give lots of credit to our friend and mentor to many, Mr. Paul Stubblebine. This fine gentleman did an outstanding presentation at our meeting (Audio Video Club Of Atlanta). I don't want to blow what's coming from Nick our program director in terms of photo and videos. However, I've got to say that Mr. Stubblebine brought alone the "Tube Pro" pre amp and permitted us to plug my Tascam in to see what would happen regarding music output. Mind you the pre and power amp were top-of-the-line tube EAR stuff provided by our club VP of Industry Relationships (Chuck). His pre and power amp was in pristine condition as was the Tape Project's "Tube Pro". To make a long story short, the music being played via my Tascam could barely be heard.

As a matter of fact, I found that the playback head on my tape deck was below 100mHy which was OK playing though the tape decks internal solid state electronics, but would just barely produce a whisper playing back through a tube tape head pre amp. Actually, this was great news, because I will need to replace the original TEAC playback head with one that has higher output. Nortronics produces such a playback head. The problem has to do with it's shape is different from the TEAC requiring a special bracket and shoe to hold it in place in the Tascam head block.
I spoke with Mr. John French before he went on vacation. He notes that Nortronics produced 400 or 600mHy playback heads. I've got to say this is exciting news and I can hardly wait for John to return from vacation. Just sharing folks and thanks for your patience. Comments welcomed.

Bob Williams

21
General Discussion / Re: The Miles Davis Story
« on: July 06, 2013, 11:12:14 AM »
Hello cIferrari,
I hope you and everyone here had a great 4th of July holiday celebration. It's great to be alive. I wanted to share this bit of history regarding my own experience with Miles Davis so that those interested might also know that as good as Miles, his musicians and his music was, he still ran into many more problems than was the case with others. In most cases he dealt with those problems well and went on to contribute some of the most memorable music of our time. Thank you sir for your response.

Bob W.

22
WOW! WOW! Mr. Paul Stubblebine was awesome. I got up out of my sick bed (bad cold) to get the word out about this gentleman's presence at our Sunday club meeting. We had a great turnout and I am excited that there are so many club members wanting to know more about the tape recorder and its future. Paul was appropriately introduced by our wonderful club president (John) with just a bit of history about what he does presently. Paul took it from there. I am going to take some meds and return to bed but our club program manager (Nick) who arranged for videos and photos at the meeting will share all of that with you soon. I just had to give a big "Shout Out" to Paul for a fabulous presentation. Personally, I think he outdid himself.

Some club members took Paul out to dinner and he invited me to go, but by the time the meeting was over and we got all the chairs and tables put back in place, I knew I needed to go home and hit the bed. I know those guys had a wonderful time. Thank you so much Paul for coming and bringing us good news, great music and lots of fun. Finally, I want to thank Chuck (VP -Industry Relationships) for providing extraordinary electronics. His stuff really made the music sound right. I don't see and hear this kind of equipment unless it's at an audio show. What a sound, what a sound.

Bob W.

23
General Discussion / Re: The Miles Davis Story
« on: June 17, 2013, 01:54:10 PM »
Hello my friend Cam3xl and I am happy you are finally back here where you belong. I am hoping you get that Otari 5050 up and running because there is beginning to be a fair amount of new reel to reel music available. As I stated in an earlier post, there are a fair number of posters here who have your tape deck. I am more than certain, with your talents, you can get that machine up and running and save big bucks.

You know what, I learned as much from you sir. I knew little to nothing about the Grateful Dead and other such talented groups. You taught me what I know. Thanks for your friendship. Get that Otari up and running so we can hear about some of the tapes you will be pushing through that great tape deck.

Bob W.

24
General Discussion / Re: The Miles Davis Story
« on: June 15, 2013, 04:41:57 PM »
Hello Steve and thank you for sharing this experience. Miles did not dislike all non-blacks. Actually, when you think about it, he saw a great deal or racisim during the early 50's and 60's. While in Baltimore Maryland, prior to coming to the Caverns, Miles was beaten very badly by several caucasian police and had to go to court for disturbing the peace. Miles and many other black musicians had a very difficult life trying to take their music to jazz lovers all over.

A white friend and I, while in our Army uniforms were arrested because we refuse to go to the back of the bus while coming through Danville, VA. That was in 1957. I say all of that to say, Miles was like me and many other blacks who have non-blacks we like and love dearly. That's why Miles was able to take photos with your friend. Thank you so much for sharing this. It means a lot to me sir. As a matter of fact, I consider every person on this forum, a friend. :) Happy Fathers Day to all DADS!

Bob W.

25
General Discussion / Re: The Miles Davis Story
« on: June 15, 2013, 10:17:39 AM »
I was thinking about the first time I actually had contact with Miles Davis. The time was, I think, 1966 in Washington, DC at the Bohemian Caverns. The Caverns was located where it has been since about 1926 (11th & U St. N.NW). All of the jazz greats came there to include, Diz, Max Roach, John Coltrane, and many others.

A friend and I went to see Miles but was short of money to pay cover charge. Cover charges were raised when big talent came into the club. My friend and I talked about what to do when Miles came outside to take a smoke. My friend got very excited and said to me in a quiet voice, Bob, there is Miles Davis. I turned around and there he was. He had bandages on his head where he had been beaten by the Baltimore, Maryland police when he came out of a club there to take a smoke. At any rate, my friend and I quickly decided to approach Miles to tell him how much we enjoyed his music and that we had every LP he made. While sharing this with him, I decided to ask if he could get us into the club for half price. To my surprised Miles reached in his pocket and pulled out 23 one dollar bills and gave them to us. This along with what we had permitted us to get into the club easily. Not only that, but back then, you could sit through 2 sets if you wished as long as you purchased a drink or two or three. I sure wish that were the case today, but then, I am living in Georgia now :).

 People talked about how mean and aloof Miles was, but here was a great musician who gave 2 strangers enough money to get in to see him play. Needless to say, my friend and I were overjoyed.  I fell more in love with Miles and his music from that point on than I had prior to this experience. Sorry to take up so much time, but I just wanted to share this bit of history. Thanks for listening all.

Bob W.

26
General Discussion / Re: The Miles Davis Story
« on: June 11, 2013, 06:22:12 PM »
Good evening Steve,

I've known you were an avid jazz fan from way back. Somewhere along the line I suspected you would love Miles Davis. I went to see Miles when I came back from Germany in 1987 in Washington, DC.  Nancy Wilson was on that same bill. I went with my mentor who treated me to the event. While in Germany I had a chance to visit East Berlin where I purchased a 500 mm Carl Zeiss lens for $200 US dollars. A real bargain. At any rate, I took my camera to the concert and was prepared to sneak some photos. I did get a few of sweet Nancy Wilson, but my friend and I could only sit through one Miles Davis number before we left. Miles was no longer playing ballads and stuff like, If I were a bell and Woody'N You. The first set started out with Jack Johnson. The last time I had seen Miles was at a little jazz club on 11th and U street in Washington back in the early 1960's. Then he was playing all of the old standards I loved. My friend and I went to see Miles in 1987 to hear him play the music we loved. Needless to say it took me several years before I could appreciate Miles playing TuTu, Jack Johnson and the like. Sometimes it's difficult to change, and, as much as I did not want to change, I began to really dig what Miles was doing later on. Thank you so much Steve for loving this man as I do.

Bob W.

27
General Discussion / Re: Tape Coverage in The Absolute Sound
« on: June 10, 2013, 08:44:44 PM »
Good Evening Tom R,

I just got my copy of the Absolute Sound mag and read what appeared to be pretty comprehensive coverage of what's going on in the reel to reel tape arena. In particularly it appeared to cover much of the software available. I am looking to see what's next.

Bob W.

28
Events / Mr. Paul Stubblebine Coming to Atlanta, Georgia
« on: May 30, 2013, 08:52:24 AM »
On June 30, 2013 (2pm to 5pm)  the grammy award winning mastering engineer, Mr. Paul Stubblebine will leave his stomping grounds to visit the Audio Video Club Of Atlanta and we can't wait. This will be my second time meeting this extraordinary individual and I can truly say, he knows how to WOW the crowd. This fine gentleman will discuss examples of his 15ips reel to reel master tapes. We also hope (fingers crossed) he will share with us some of the highlights of his 40 plus year professional career.  We are also looking forward to hearing some of those great reel to reel tapes he will bring along. I have no doubt there will be much excitement, fun and plenty of questions. We welcome anyone in the Georgia area to come have fun with us and share an experience you won't soon forget.  Questions: Please contact our club president (John Morrison) [email protected]

Bob W.

29
Tape Project Machines / Re: I'm back boys!
« on: May 24, 2013, 01:40:18 PM »
Hello my friend Bhek,

Why not outline the problems you are having with your Otari 5050/2 here on this very forum. There are many here with that particular tape deck. There just might be someone here who has dealt with some or all of the difficulties you are experiencing and can provide some guidance. If nothing else, at least you might get enough info so that when you do take the deck in for repairs, you'll have some idea what's wrong. Be exact and someone here might be able to help.

bob

30
Good Saturday Morning Mr. Astor,

Thank you for this information. I think I might have found an answer to my problem. If that does not work, I will check in with Mr. StellaVox himself. Thanks again sir.

bob w.

Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 20