Hi guys,
I really like the idea of The Tape Project, but am somewhat perplexed as to what machine I should really go with, and your advice would be very helpful. First, however, maybe a little background on me would be appropriate.
I have enjoyed this hobby for many, many years, and have always been a tape guy with various reel-to-reel and cassette decks under my belt such as a Pioneer 1020L, TEAC X-1000 and various Nakamichi and TEAC cassette decks...even had an original Wollensak! (sp?) I also spent a great deal of time recording various bands and solo singers just for the fun of it. Watch collecting is another, very expensive, avocation. I continue to play semi-pro baseball for a northern Illinois-based team, and have even laced up the spikes for a few professional games, but it was awhile ago. And I've probably got way too much education for my own good, and was a Naval Officer for a number of years.
In any event, I would like to get back into R2R in two formats: 2 track as required for The Tape Project, and the standard 1/4-track as comes with the typical consumer level deck. What is really bugging me, however, are the insane prices that are being realized for the Technics R2Rs! With extra Bottlehead gear and other asundry modifications added to the current asking price of the Technics 1500 series decks, it's way out of my price league...no...it's way out of the range that I am willing to pay. So, I have consigned myself to either of two machines - the Revox B77 or a TEAC 2T such as the one model of the 3300 or the 6100 (I believe that's the model number). And, yes, I know that I would have to set aside additional funding to bring the "old" machines up to spec. To that end, however, here are my questions, and your input would be greatly appreciated:
1. Can the appropriate TEAC machine (2T, 10 1/2" reels, 15ips, etc.) be modified to support the IEC equalization curve?
2. Can either the Revox or TEAC machine be modified to utilize the Bottlehead electronics?
3. Would I be losing that much fidelity by using either the Revox or TEAC as compared to the Technics machines when playing TTP tapes?
4. Should I not even consider using a Revox or TEAC machine and just suck it up and pay the exhorbitant freight for a Technics?
That should just about cover it for now. I eagerly await your responses.
Thanks,
Bob.