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Topics - Grant99

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General Discussion / Bottlehead Repro Output
« on: November 05, 2012, 08:07:28 AM »
Hi all, this is more a comment/question than some kind of complaint.  Earlier this year, my preamp was out for service (more like "restoration"!) so I wasn't able to listen to my LPs...so I figured I do lots of tape listening.  So I hooked up my Repro directly to my headphone amp...well it just didn't sound right.  There was some kind of distortion, at higher frequencies.  I have never heard this before.

So...my question is: isn't the output from the repro a standard line stage output?  Or is there some mismatch between feeding the repro directly into the headphone amp?

The headphones being used are Stax OAIIs...if there's any distortion/discolouring of the sound, you'll hear it with them...

Since I've got my preamp back everything is back to normal.  I did listen to my tuner and some cassette dubs (don't laugh) at the time and didn't hear any distortion.  If anyone has any insights on this, I would love hear them....thanks

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General Discussion / Article on Reference Recordings returning to LPs...
« on: January 04, 2012, 09:27:59 AM »
An interesting article in the current issue #91 of Ultra High Fidelity magazine regarding Reference Recordings getting back in vinyl reissues & a comparison of one LP with the CD reissue.
Here is the link:

http://www.uhfmag.com/Issue91/UHF91.pdf

The issue can be viewed as a PDF file & the article is on page 31 and on page 32... lo and behold a picture of TP's own Paul Stubblebine, sporting the TP uniform of course.

Here's a hint: this Stravinsky LP would make a great addition to Series 3....

3
The Sermon / Liner notes for the "Sermon"
« on: November 26, 2011, 10:01:45 AM »
As I was sitting back & enjoying the "Sermon" last night I was reading through the album cover notes and something struck me, to quote from the notes "The original LP version did not include the songs from Reel A".  Well...Reel B only has 2 songs on it...there are 4 songs on Reel A...so the orginal BN album only came with the 2 songs on Reel B? 

Is this a  misprint perhaps?

I don't think I've ever seen an album with only 2 songs on it...one 20 min. and the other 8 min....perhaps it was originally a 10 inch record?

BTW, it is a fantastic album & it sounds great!  I never heard of Jimmy Smith before but this was sure a great pick by the TP crew.  Thanks!

4
Prerecorded Tapes / One Rare Miles Davis Tape?
« on: April 08, 2010, 08:46:20 AM »
Check out this ebay listing.  Kind of Blue on 2 track is something I certainly haven't seen before.  It will be interesting to see how high this auction goes.  Any guesses?

http://cgi.ebay.com/MILES-DAVIS-Rare-KIND-OF-BLUE-Reel-To-Reel-Tape-2-TRACK_W0QQitemZ120550460382QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMusic_Other_Formats?hash=item1c115e0bde

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Tape Project Machines / Modified Otari w/scraping Noise
« on: December 03, 2009, 12:08:26 PM »
So I finally got those rubber spacers so I can play the larger reels on my Otari MX-5050 (w/modified tape path by BH).  And my new repro sounds great!  I can't believe how great some of my old 4 track tapes sound on it!  I've never heard Al Hirt sound so good!

Just one issue: when I play tapes (both 7 inch & NAB reels) I hear this scraping noise.  As it turns out, its the sound of the tape edge scraping against the white washers on the take-up side tape tensioner arm.  The tensioner arm is the BH modified one, where the tape runs between 2 white washers that serve as guides.  When you press against the inner washer, to move it away from the tape edge, the sounds stops.  And as the tape runs through the path on the arm, you can see a crease on the tape.  This makes me think that the tape path is just a tad too narrow.  I'm also getting quite a bit of ferric residue/dust on both arms & actually all along the entire tape path, that I never used to get before.

So I'm wondering if anyone else around here with a modified MX-5050 has seen this.  If I widen the tape path on the arms with it affect the sound?  Also, I'm a bit concerned about wear on the tapes, what with all the dust/residue I'm seeing in a short amount of playing time.

Any comments/suggestions will be appreciated!
regards
Grant

6
Tape Project Machines / Otari Troubles...
« on: September 12, 2009, 11:24:37 PM »
Just recently got my Otari back from having the mods done. So I finally hooked it up to my new tube repro preamp (for the first time, rec'd it about a month ago I think).  Well...the great music was not to be; all I get for sound is some  hiss and very low level hum.

Now.  I'm just a layman & not technical at all but 25+ years of riding (& wiring) ancient motorcyles has taught me one thing for sure: when you have a problem, ALWAYS start looking at the most simple, obvious thing (duh!) before you move on to something more complicated.  So here are a couple of simple, dumb questions:
1) The Otari was rewired for direct output from the heads...so this output comes out of the LINE OUTPUT jacks on the back panel, correct?
2) I tried using both the RCA output and the XLR output; no difference, no sound output.
3)Was the deck actually test-run before it was shipped back to me?
4)My thinking is that I need to isolate the problem; i.e. is it the deck or is it the tube repro, correct?
5)So to do the above (4), can I test the output from these jacks using a voltmeter or ohmmeter, to verify if there is output from the deck?  What should I be looking for?
6) If I verify that the deck's output is OK is there a way to test the tube repro?  As I only have the Otari how about running the output from my turntable into it (Grad Sonata - 5MV version).  Is this doable?

Any suggestions will be appreciated...I really hope my problem is due to something obvious that I have overlooked...thanks in advance











7
Raw Tape / Anyone using ATR tape on an Otari?
« on: June 18, 2009, 05:55:18 AM »
Just wondered if anyone around here has tried the current prod. ATR tape on their MX-5050 and what kind of results they were getting.  I've heard it is good tape.

I've tried both RMGI 900 and 911 on my Otari, the deck seems to like '900 tape better.  The signal in on the VU meters matches the output,  the tape sounds good & doesn't overload.  I'm curious about how the ATR tape compares.  Any comments appreciated...


8
Raw Tape / Ampex/Quantegy 467 & Ampex 478
« on: April 24, 2009, 09:32:05 PM »
Like the typical audio-lunatic, I was checking out the ebay sales, and came across this "Ampex/Quantegy 467" being sold, in, and correct me if I'm not mistaken, reels of 4800 ft in length?
Here is the link:
  http://cgi.ebay.com/Ampex-Quantegy-467-1-4-reel-to-reel-audio-tape_W0QQitemZ370184159919QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Blank_Media?hash=item370184159919&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

So I figure...lets see...normal backcoated 1/4 inch tape is normally sold in 2500 ft lengths to fill a 10.5 inch NAB reel...if there is 4800 feet on a NAB reel then somebody is really getting their facts mixed up or this tape has go to be a LOT thinner than the usual analogue 1.5 mil stuff or what?

Then I see the "Digital" label on the reel. Is this the key?  Is there a different breed of tape for digital R2R decks, that is a lot thinner?  If so, I am willing to bet that something this thin can't be used in the analogue domain?

On a related topic, the same seller is listing Ampex 1/4 inch 478 tape...is this stuff any good ? You don't usually hear about it, you just usually hear about 456 and 499.

I would really appreciate the tape gurus to give their opinions here on this...

thanks
Grant

9
Tape Project Machines / Pondering a Seduction & Otari Mods
« on: March 20, 2009, 07:16:00 PM »
Hi everyone, I've been lurking around here a while but finally decided to post.  I'm pretty much a newbie to R2R, TP subscriber (#77) but not new to audio & LPs.

So I find myself asking: if running a Seduction off my Otari improves the sound that much..its certainly worth it...but...I still need to be able to record as well!  The whole idea of the Otari is that you can make good recordings in 2-track...but still play 2 track & 4 track pre-recorded tapes.  This is what I want/need.  And I don't  have the space for another "playback only" deck...that would defeat the purpose of getting the Otari on the first place.

So I'm wondering out loud if the Bottlehead staffers (or anyone for that matter?) can do a mod where you can easily switch between direct output from the heads and the Otari's own internal amp?

Also, do the tape path mods specifically improve the sound or are they meant to "refurbish" well-worn Otari's.  My own MX-5050 is relatively new (less than 2 yrs) and does not have a lot of hours on it.  Would  I still get sonic improvements on it?

Any input is certainly appreciated...

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