Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Beginners Guide to Tape Recorder Basics

« on: August 28, 2008, 05:31:18 AM »

Great stuff, Steve.  Thanks for the time you're putting into this.

2

General Discussion / Re: Beginners Guide to Tape Recorder Basics

« on: August 25, 2008, 08:18:35 AM »

This is the beginning of a great thread but could be missed by many if it remains under Tape Project Albums.  It deserves its own title, if not a dedicated section.  I, too, need all the help I can get.

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Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Need some help - please!

« on: August 24, 2008, 04:10:48 PM »

I want to clarify that it is strictly my SWAG is that Jim's machine was knocked out of alignment in shipping after we went through checking several other possibilities in our correspondence. It's not here yet, so I can't say what the problem is with any certainty.

Sorry to have misquoted you , Doc.  You did say it was your suspicion and not your diagnosis that head misalignment might be the problem.  I wouldn't be surprised if it is other things as well.  For that much damage to have happened to the top panel it seems quite possible that any number of things could have been knocked out of whack.  Your determination to get everything right is greatly appreciated.  Now I can focus on losing sleep over things that really matter.

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Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Need some help - please!

« on: August 24, 2008, 12:16:39 PM »

I had a similar problem when I received my RS1500 back from Doc.  Sounded terrible, through a BH-built Tape Seduction, yet.  I was also disappointed that the top panel of the machine was bably bent in transit.  (Thank you UPS).  Since there was no apparent damage to the shipping box I can only guess, based on the pattern of bends and dents on the top panel, that the box was dropped and landed flat on one side with the top of the machine pointing down.  Two of the styrofoam packing panels were broken.  Doc had me play a 2 track tape and switch between 2 and 4 track heads.  The 2 track position sounded much better, although not good, than the 4 track position, which seemed to have a frequency response range from about 100 hz to 1000 hz.  Doc diagnosed the problem as mis-aligned heads and had me ship the machine back.  It's probably somewhere around Nebraska right now.

Given the near certainty that this will happen again, I'm wondering if it is possible to ship the head block separately once the heads are re-aligned.  The head block can be packed much more securely and shipped cheaply by air.  Doc - what do you think?

5

Tape Project Machines / Re: How about a kit?

« on: June 25, 2008, 11:57:02 AM »

I'm not sure I'm getting what's your point?

Just my thoughts on the matter.   Kits aren't for everybody.  If I had the time and patience I'm sure I would get great pleasure in going that route.  Someday I hope to try a Bottlehead kit,  maybe even a deck tweak, but for the next couple of years I'll just watch you guys.

Jim

6

Tape Project Machines / Re: How about a kit?

« on: June 25, 2008, 11:14:05 AM »

.... but at some point, I just want to know that everything is right.

Not being a tinkerer, or DIY'er of any stripe, I decided to just go ahead and have it done right.  I sent the headblock to John French for relapping ($75 per head) and the RS1500 to doc for the tape path upgrade, new direct outputs and a built Seduction.  John forwarded the headblock right to doc after he finished the relapping.  The machine is on its way back and I should have it in a few days.  Total cost, including all shipping, is around $1400.  But at least I know all mechanical parts have been checked out, worn parts replaced, other parts upgraded, and everything aligned properly, including heads.   I don't get the satisfaction of DIY, but at least I know that it is as good as it can get.  You can spend $1400 on audio in a lot of other ways and get hardly anything in return.

Jim
Collinsville, CT

7

Suggestion Box / Re: Symphonies, concertos?

« on: May 12, 2008, 10:04:19 AM »

Elgar Cello Concerto, Jacqueline du Pre, Barbirolli/London Symphony Orchestra, EMI
Rodrigo Guitar Concerto, Narciso Yepes, Argenta/National Orchestra of Spain, London

8

General Discussion / Re: Another Tape Project reference - Oswalds Mill '08

« on: May 04, 2008, 12:57:42 PM »

As someone in the historic preservation business I can really appreciate that old mill building.  What a setting!  When my machine gets back from doc, it's place is waiting in the Collins ax factory overlooking the forebay.

Jim Grant

9

Suggestion Box / Symphonies, concertos?

« on: May 04, 2008, 10:26:53 AM »

How about a Brahms, Mahler or Beethoven symphony?  Or a piano or guitar concerto?  Something extended and dynamic we can really get into for 40 - 50 minutes.  There are so many great analog recordings out there that it should be possible for the Tape Project to find one to work their magic on.  The Oistrakh recording (I've only heard the XRCD - waiting for the TP tape to arrive) is an excellent selection for 2007.  How about at least two big symphonic/concerto selections for 2008.

Jim Grant

10

Suggestion Box / 2008 Titles?

« on: May 02, 2008, 01:01:04 PM »

We are one-third of the way into 2008 but only one-half of the 2007 titles are in distribution so far.  Is it too early to inquire about the 2008 selections?  Not pushing - just curious.

Jim Grant

11

General Discussion / Re: Disscusions

« on: May 02, 2008, 06:57:43 AM »

This might help. :)

http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/402roy/index.html

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General Discussion / Re: Disscusions

« on: May 02, 2008, 06:53:07 AM »

Just in case anyone missed it, this 2002 Stereophile interview with Roy DuNann, the recording engineer on WOW, is fascinating reading. 

Jim Grant

13

General Discussion / Re: Disscusions

« on: May 01, 2008, 03:49:25 PM »

I guess the fire's out.  Didn't want the day to pass without a single post on the forum.  Nothing to add - just wondering how much better "Way Out West", now spinning on my $149 Oppo DVD-970HD, would sound on a kilobuck CD player, or. better yet, on a TP mastered tape on a TP upgraded RS1500.  Sounds pretty good on the Oppo, though.  Can't hide great music completely no matter what your gear is.

Jim Grant

14

General Discussion / Re: Disscusions

« on: April 30, 2008, 01:17:27 PM »

Jim,

In my article of how to convert a B77/PR99 to a TP machine on the LAOCAS webpage http://laocaudiosociety.net/tech.html, I'm including a few simple but very effective improvements in the playback electronics that would also be valid for every other speed or track arrangement you would want to use.

Arian,

That paper is so clearly written and illustrated that I would be tempted to make such a mod if I had the machine for it.  I have an early A77 but it appears that it is not a good upgrade candidate.  I'll leave things well enough alone and let doc do his thing on the RS1500.  Thank you for the advice.

Jim Grant

15

General Discussion / Re: Disscusions

« on: April 30, 2008, 07:22:11 AM »

The CD vs rtr topic is interesting, but since there will only be 10 TP tapes per year, and maybe a few Quinton tapes, it would also be interesting to discuss the improvement a Tape Project machine might produce on playback of commercial issue 7.5 or 3.75 ips tapes, of which there is an abundant supply on ebay.  I have seen very few comments addressing this.  Would it not be similar to recent improvements in vinyl playback of 40 year old pressings?  What potential is there in these old tapes? There will never be a source of new consumer rtr machines, but there seems to be plenty of old ones out there that could be upgraded, if not to TP standards, at least to higher standards than the original machine.

Jim Grant