Recent Posts

1

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Otari MX-5050BII - question on equalization calibration

« Last post by TomR on February 01, 2023, 12:22:58 PM »

It has been awhile since I posted here last - this used to be THE place for the RTR community, so here goes.  For many years I had a Technics RS1520, which had the advantage of switchable IEC/NAB equalization.  I sent it to Jeff Jacobs for a refit, which was not possible.  Not being a fan of the Technics tape path (I am all thumbs) I wanted to replace it with something else, and Jeff was able to set me up with a Tascam BR20, and I totally prefer the tape path on that.  That one is switchable as well.  But....I would actually love to play 4 track tapes in my better living room system (I have a Tandberg and Akai in my office, but no room for them in my living room), and I am looking at an Otari MX-5050BII 2, which has a 4 track head as well as the two track.  I downloaded a copy of the users manual, and the equalization switch is on the back, not the front like the Technics and the Tascam, but the manual says, and I quote "NAB or IEC for 3-3/4, 7-1/2 and 15 ips.  Switchable on the rear panel, but calibration is necessary."  Does this mean for recording only, or does one need to calibrate for playback as well?  I have been switching on the Tascam - I have all of the TPP tapes, of course, and I have also collected a few 7.5 ips 2 track NAB tapes as well, which I have been playing.  Thanks for any insight here.

2

Events / Next release?

« Last post by analogmaster on November 02, 2022, 05:44:49 PM »

Haven't checked here in awhile, but wanted to know if there will be any new offerings in the near future?

3

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Hi Everyone!

« Last post by tapepath on April 22, 2022, 01:39:27 PM »

Hello Ki,
Welcome!

4

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Hi Everyone!

« Last post by Ki Choi on April 16, 2022, 12:43:05 PM »

I'm back!

It's been too long since I played here - where it all started for the love of music on tape and lust for studio machines.

Regards,

Ki

5

Service Resources / Re: Stellavox service and parts

« Last post by hafrse on December 10, 2021, 07:41:54 AM »

Agree,  I have ordered many parts from Mr. Simonet, he is correct and professional., an assit for Stellavox users :)

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Be Altitude: Respect Yourself / When was the last time Staple Singers was in stock?

« Last post by cupboy on April 08, 2021, 08:37:53 PM »

Got an e-mail today saying it was back in stock. I'm curious about how long it has been since last time this title was in stock.

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Service Resources / Re: Stellavox service and parts

« Last post by tapepath on March 16, 2021, 09:17:33 PM »

I have had my SP7 serviced by Mr. Simonet and he did a great job, so I can highly recommend him as a Stellavox service provider.

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Service Resources / Stellavox service and parts

« Last post by High and Outside on March 16, 2021, 04:32:01 PM »

We just received this notice by email:

Information importante

Unfortunately, Jean-Pierre Gurtner has passed away on June 5th 2018.
His Phone number as well as his address e-mail are not in use anymore.
Until further advice you may use the following contacts for help
New address :
Simonet Jean-Michel
Chemin des Brisecou 12
2073 eng
Swiss
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Telephone: +41 79 6376733
My name is Jean-Michel Simonet and I have been working with Mr. Gurtner in the Stellavox factory since 1969
I was responsible for customer service, final inspection and welcoming customers.
I have all the spare parts for Stellavox portable machines in stock, I do the repairs, Offers and sales

9

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Comparing the Sound of Barclay Crocker Dolby B Tapes to Vinyl

« Last post by Thomas on March 04, 2021, 04:24:20 PM »

Thanks for the kind words Larry.
Just like when I first decided to get back into reel to reel, I always thought that the Barclay-Crocker tapes had a lot more in them than is generally thought. And like a few other members here, I went through a number of Dolby decoder units and found that they were all either edgy and hard sounding or muffled and veiled sounding. Neither genre had any soundstage to speak of and they robbed the tapes of that rich midrange that I love magnetic tape for.
After unsuccessfully trying to find someone to modify and upgrade one for me I finally decided to do it myself. It involved endless trial and error upgrades (over 2 years on and off) and Larry has the results.

The unit does pretty well with BC tapes but on some other brands, it does a fine job of showing just how important it is to have high duplication standards. The BC's also have the advantage of having a calibration tone included. From my experience, I don't think that it's necessary to have the calibration spot on but it does need to be close ( the spec is +/-  2dB).

I've still got some fiddling around to add a little gain for our tube repro gear but for balanced in and single ended out, it's finally done! Yippie!

Oh shoot! I forgot to say that the working name for this unit (since it spent so much time being experimented on) is " Pavlov's Dolby".

Dear Steve, I hope you are doing fine? I would be interested by getting a Pavlov Dolby from you... assuming you would recommend that for my A77 4 track to play BC tapes ;-) Many thanks fro your answer! cheers to you PS: [email protected]

10

Tape Tech / Re: Using Pancakes to store recorded tapes

« Last post by Jeffersondd on January 28, 2021, 11:47:00 AM »

Thanks, Paul.  Great idea.  I'll be doing some dubbing with pancakes and this will minimize the risk of a spill.  Not sure whether storing them that way is worth the risk.  Larry

On my ATR; I occasionally play pancakes on a 14” flange.  This is great for having one complete album on one reel.  Using a second flange is a great tip Paul and gives me a little more piece of mind.