Messages

1

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Would appreciate some info on Studio machines...

« on: May 30, 2010, 06:20:19 PM »

Tod,

You state:
"b) bearings replaced on tape path"
Can you tell more?  Do you source Studer bearings or others (I understand the two sizes used are standard)  Upon replacement what steps to assure tape path alignment did you use (what tools too) - shims did you need to reshim?   ...etc.

Bet you can guess why I'm interested.  Thanks for whatever you can share!

-cdw

2

Suggestion Box / Re: Led Zeppelin anyone?

« on: April 16, 2010, 10:11:33 PM »

How about Jimmy Page's favorite band:  Little Feat! 
If I could only have one album of theirs I would pick "Feats Don't Fail Me Now"

3

Tape Tech / Re: STUDER A80RC recording issue

« on: February 01, 2010, 09:45:07 PM »

Thanks for sharing your solution.  Seems this connecter for the meter bridge may be inclined to troubles.  I would like/need a new one but have not figured out a source to get one.

Thanks,
cdw

4

General Discussion / Re: The Joy of the Tape Project

« on: January 01, 2010, 08:47:07 PM »

Wow!  that's one purdy tape machine ya got ther!  No goin back now your ruined for life!  ;-)

So Kip did you ever get your desired hybrid eq worked out?  -> NAB @ 7 1/2 ips and CCIR/IEC @ 15 ips

-cdw

5

General Discussion / Re: Any Freight / Shipping company recommendations?

« on: December 10, 2009, 06:32:15 PM »

Mayflower Transit has an offering for shipping large studio mixer consoles, Xerox machines and the like (such as a R2R studio machines).  Starts at a flat $600 and goes up once you exceed a certain weight.  At least when I used them back in 2007 to ship my A80VU.  They go to the origin put it on a pallet if needed and wrap it.  It then came to the end of my driveway by truck where they hand-trucked it into my garage.  All for $600.  Pricey but good service.  I don't think any A80 would exceed the base price weight limit.  Mixer consoles routinely do, and thus cost more.

-cdw

6

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: New Deck or Upgrade

« on: November 04, 2009, 10:12:26 PM »

Brian states, that his colleague states:
"I think the so-so Studer electronics mask any differences.
My colleague can't wait to replace the A80 in the studio, calls it a "fog machine" and claims all the A series have sonically mediocre electronics in his experience"

Humm, sounds like his A80 (is it an RC or VU??) was "rode hard and put-away wet" to use US cowboy parlance!  Has the A80 been re-capped?  These machines are notorious for needing all of their electrolytics replaced by this time.  Also the transport condition matters!  How's the capstan?  Is in need of a rebuild?  Is the capstan shaft all worn and shiny where the tape passes by?  How are the transport bearings?  Is it time for a major bearing replacement & overhaul?  All these things will contribute to foggy sound.  This is often the case with the A series Studers as the parts (& work) are very expensive, so very typically they do not get done, and the machine is just passed along, as such Studers will just keep on playing and playing in spite of the neglect.  They are made to do that, but should not be judged sonically on that basis.

Imagine someone tells you that their Maserati is sluggish, with slow handling, compared to their DeLorean?  Makes you wonder right?

Yes, the A80VU is ripe for audiophile electronics, 'cause the transport is that good.  At least Mark Levinson thought so.  (and I plot such schemes myself) 

BUT, ah, that mine ear should be offended by nothing less than any model Studer in tip-top shape, ....then life would truly be very, very good indeed!

-cdw

7

Tape Project Machines / Re: Technics flutter measurements with ST1510A

« on: October 21, 2009, 06:26:41 PM »

Somewhere around here I have a CDROM that I spent too much money for on ebay that has both the Operations manual and the (big) service manual on it.  The scan of the op man. is not great but works (describes the spectrum analyser and the IEEE HP-IB options).  The service manual is much better scan, and handy to have (assemblies and schematics).  I don't know if it's still ever offered on ebay.  Steve Bender has other vintage versions of the manuals available as hard copy.

cdw

8

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: A80 weight?

« on: October 19, 2009, 05:51:33 PM »

Tom asks:
"Are the A80 VU head impedances too low for outboard electronics without additional mods?"
Depends on the outboard electronics!
One way to think of this is to analogize this to low output low impedance Moving Coil phono cartridges (MC) which need either a step-up transformer or extra low-noise gain (usually as extra gain stages).  Same thing here.  Ki mentioned the very desirable "Tube Repro Preamp for TP tapes" which would need either a step-up on the front end (best/easiest bet imo) or some extra gain shoehorned in (don't think Doc has planned for that).

One needs to match the outboard electronics to the heads in the machine... or change the heads($$)!

cdw

9

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: A80 weight?

« on: October 18, 2009, 12:56:13 PM »

Nice description by Ki:
"On the other hand, if you plan to use an external tape preamp such as the Tube Repro Preamp for TP tapes, VU model is ready for action without the mods.  The heads are wired to multipin connectors that can be plugged into other devices."

I plan to do this myself someday.  BUT BE Careful here!  For one example the heads on the VU A-80 are low impedance type and feed a 1:10 step-up transformer (secondary shunted by 180K ohms and 33pf) .  The heads on the RC A-80 are relatively higher impedance and feed a 47K ohm resistor.

cdw

10

Tape Project Albums - general / Re: Our pricing (and subscriber special price)

« on: August 16, 2009, 02:57:18 PM »

I too am in the same situation as Steve and Joe.  I have the alignment tape (thank goodness).  However, I never received a take-up reel.

Thanks Guys!

cdw

11

Tape Tech / Re: Oscilloscope for RTR Alignment.

« on: July 13, 2009, 08:54:15 AM »

Indeed, "SCREAM'IN DEAL" Dan!  A Sound Technolody ST1510A for $75!

What options if any did it come with? 
What software level is it at? 

I suspect you have a later software level if you passed the seft test, as with earlier versions it was important to set the output level before running self test, where as with the later versions this was worked around so that the self test would pass w/o setting the output level (or you knew this already??).

By the way, our own Charles King (Stellavox) would appear to have amassed some experience with these devices!

-cdw

12

General Discussion / Re: Paul Stubblebine listening room

« on: July 10, 2009, 08:29:07 PM »

Thanks Paul,

You state:  "the 300B's are configured as a differential pair with a current source in the tail"
Well that would make it a very, very, cool design and I can't help but wager that it provides very mellifluous sound, and could even take much of the credit for the excellent sonics attributed to your system!  (good room acoustics allowing it to be better "heard")

You state:  "the only other designer I've heard of using something similar is Allen Wright"
Yes, though he is not so straight forward about what he calls it.  See also the Audio Express 2006 May issue where Sears applies the concept with MOSFET constant current sources to 6AS7 balanced P-P.

It is very satisfying to know that such pinnacle audio fruit is enjoyed by a professional who obviously has great ears!

Thanks for explaining & sharing,

-cdw

13

General Discussion / Re: Paul Stubblebine listening room

« on: July 07, 2009, 01:16:09 PM »

Thanks for the description!

But, you state: "differential 300B's"
What's that?  Push-pull with common-mode long tail CCS or ?

-cdw

14

Tape Tech / Re: Otari MX5050 Capstan oil...?

« on: July 07, 2009, 01:07:36 PM »

Try the folks at MDI Precision Motorworks.  They have the oil 1/2 oz. vial for Otari at $10.75.
see: http://www.precisionmotorworks.com/shop/enter.html?lmd=39899.101007

BTW fellow tape project enthusiasts, thats also where I got the Studer oil I needed for my A80.  Shipping was a little pricey though.  It was worth it to have - it should last so long probably will never need another vial of it.

-cdw

15

General Discussion / Re: Obvious Problem?

« on: June 14, 2009, 01:38:18 PM »

Kris,
You state:
"repro amp(the same one that went with it:)  ..., it is a custom David Berning design, and I am waiting for him to go through it as it is older, and probably not functioning."

If you are in communication with David Berning there is one big favor you could do for all of us dolby pre-recorded tape/tube heads, and that is to ask him about his tube-based dolby design for us!!!!!!!!  Any information would be great!!  But a schematic would be true gold!

Any Barclay/Crocker tape owner with a taste for tubes would stand in line for such a Dolby playback unit!  (well I know that I would!)

THANKS!
cdw