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Messages - Studer Fool

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61
General Discussion / Re: Another magnetic question from a novice
« on: March 24, 2008, 05:40:30 PM »
Bryon,

Two and a half feet away should be OK.  I wouldn't place the tapes on top of the speaker if I could help it, not that it's SO bad, just not a good habit.

Chris Wait

62
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: update on Studer A-820
« on: March 24, 2008, 07:27:03 AM »
Mike,

If I had unlimited where-with-all I would probably buy the ML.  I dreamed about it.  But I would still want/lust for an A820!  Fred himself states on the Studerlist that the A820 has no peer in getting the tape moving past the heads in proper "time base" relationship.  Either machine, the ML-5 or the A820, after coming from Fred, is going to be easy for an audiophile to live with for a very long time.

So one important consideration for you to answer is "Will I be making recordings?"  By which I mean of live musicians, (as transferring CD's and LP's etc. is really not a meaningful use of such a machine IMHO).  If you answer yes, you will soon be seeking at least two good microphones and Mic preamps or even a mixer at minimum.

If your interest lies elsewhere, say for playback of prerecorded tapes such as the Tape Project, you might stick with the A820 as your transport for now and enjoy quite acceptable sound and then get upgraded outboard playback electronics from Doc (or from Tim) as funds allow and thereby achieve the pinnacle (my opinion) in playback in the here and now.

While I have not heard them, I would expect the ML electronics to sound better "right-out-of-the-box" than the stock 820.  But please remember the audio arts have advanced considerably since Levinson did the ML-5 and while I have not heard any of them, I honestly would expect Doc or Tim's current designs to ultimately trounce the ML.  Tim's TdP stuff will also record of course, but I assume will set you back even more money (though no doubt worth it).

So the questions to wrestle with are:
a.) Will I  be recording?
b.) Can I wait to achieve the best, and have the time, desire, and energy to pursue that, or do I want, really, really great right away, so I can just get down to listening to some really great music playback?
c.) and as always, what funds do I have to apply?

So-> I want it great right away -> ML-5
So-> I want to start great recording right away -> ML-5
So-> I want to achieve the very best playback -> A820 & start talking to Doc right away
So-> I want to eventually achieve the best record & playback -> A820 & TdP

At this level there are no wrong answers.  Just personal decisions.

Yours Truly in Studer Lust,
Chris Wait


P.S.  The above are my personal thoughts, please feel VERY free to ignore them, indeed I hope you will, lest I further conflict you.

63
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: update on Studer A-820
« on: March 15, 2008, 08:38:19 PM »
Ironbut asks: "what's the difference between the A80 RC and the VU?"

The fastest answer is to state that which is the same about the RC and the VU.  And that is that they both have the same transport, including the transport electricals as well as mechanicals.  Which is saying alot as the A80 transport is admired and respected by everyone who knows them.

The A80-VU came first and was designed to be the top-of-the line studio machine in its day.  The VU was available as both as 2", 1" and 1/2" multi-track recorder as well as 1/2" and 1/4" 2-track mixdown recorders.  As such modularity was maximized and the audio electronics could be swapped amongst them all.  Also these audio electronics where mostly mounted above the transport deck (which makes these decks wonderful to sit at and edit tape on).  This of necessity results in a longer signal cable length.  Thus it is my surmise (and I note Richard Hess's too) that this is the reason for the low impedance heads utilized on all -VU A80's. 

The A80/RC however, uses high impedance heads, and the audio electronics are located under the deck, doable because the RC was never a multi-track, only essentially a two track (or thereabouts).  The R, and the RC which soon followed and replaced it, were in response to demands from the Radio broadcasting industry who wanted the A80 transport but at a cheaper price, and thus to fill that demand the RC came with "cheaper" electronics.  Also as mono capability is important in broadcasting there is an interesting channel separation arrangement and adjustment to the RC audio electronics.  What is also interesting is that while the -VU employed a number of IC op-amps, the RC audio-path was built with all discrete devices.  Even where a quick look at the schematics appears to show potentially an IC op-amp in the RC, it turns out upon closer inspection actually to be a discrete device op-amp!

Of note to Tape Project subscribers is that for the A80-VU it is only a simple twist of the alignment screwdriver to flick the -VU EQ from NAB to CCIR/IEC.  The A80/RC on the other hand requires pulling out the playback and record cards and swapping out small piggybacked EQ boards thereon.  I have not yet gotten these EQ boards for IEC EQ myself and thus I have not yet played The Tape Project tapes on my A80/RC.  Something I am very curious to try for myself.

64
Tape Tech / Re: Quantegy lovers only!
« on: March 04, 2008, 07:57:14 AM »
Makes me very sad.

65
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: update on Studer A-820
« on: February 16, 2008, 12:25:56 PM »
Thanks for the update!

"I wonder if anyone else has been following the recent threads on the Studer List.."
I've been soaking it in for about a year now.  If you are interested in r2r and Studers in particular it is the place to subscribe.  They use the somewhat limited majordomo which is frustrating for many (me too). 

I have two Studer A80's and have just started the dialog with Fred for a capstan rebuild, and today got the info that the cost will be 1,150.00 CHF = 1,051.86 USD !!!  I'm so upset I almost could puke!  (However, it is a ball bearing(like the A820) instead of sintered bearing though)  Meanwhile Athan on their web site lists a rebuild at $300.  I've got a LOT of soul searching to do.

Anyway, all I can say is that to have an A-820 makes you one lucky "some-na-a-beach" (if you will pardon my french).  There is no finer machine in my estimation.

Yours truly in Studer lust,
The Studer Fool.

66
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Studer B-67 Reel to Reel
« on: December 26, 2007, 10:25:42 AM »
 Bob W. states -> I have some questions please.

>1. Does anyone have an idea when the B-67 was produced?
Looks like the "B" was introduced about 1976.

>2. What things should I look for aside from how the machine looks?
As most everyone will tell you, look closely at the heads.  However, what I am finding, is that inspection of the capstan shaft where the tape contacts it, is more telling of usage and up-coming service needs.  If it's real shiny, you may at some point need to get the capstan shaft bead blasted or replaced(expensive).

>3. What should I expect to spend (roughly) minimally before I put this recorder into service?
Not sure, it really depends on its personal history, heavy studio usage versus personal home usage.

>4. Does anyone know of minor or major problems that was specific to this particular recorder?
Not aware.  You will in all likelyhood need to plan your approach to achieving IEC eq if you want to play TapeProject tapes on it as I don't think it has switchable eq.  Also uses balanced "cannon" style connectors for input/output.

>5. Does anyone know how many variations of this recorder was made?
Looks like at least a mkI and a mkII.

>6. Should I even consider the purchase of this machine if there is the potential for major problems?
Possibly.  The B-67 has a reputation for very good sounding electronics.

>7. Finally, what would be a reasonable cost for this recorder at this time?
This will vary greatly with condition.  But certainly not nearly as much as one of the Studer studio master recorders: A80/A800/A820/A827.


67
Tape Project Albums - general / Re: more alignment tapes shipping today
« on: November 09, 2007, 09:35:38 AM »
OK.... get ready...
The first ever Tape Project release shipped today. .....

Align those decks folks...here they come...
Michael

YABA DABA DOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-cdw

68
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MTR-10
« on: September 08, 2007, 01:04:25 PM »
Steve,

No, I don't think you're crazy, I was eyeing that same recorder myself.  Looks quite nice!  Pro machines like that CAN be really great buys, albeit with all the same caveats encountered with buying consumer machines.  Perhaps a greater likelyhood of head wear with pro machines, but it sounds like you've already allowed for that!  Where I differ in my thinking from you is that I would leave it as a 1/2 track machine only and not try to add 1/4 track playback.  With 1/4 track one soon ends-up wishing for autoreverse rather than flipping reels.

Why am I not bidding?  I've already got 2 Studer A-80's eating up floorspace.  Hence the self inflicted moniker "Studer Fool"!

-Chris

69
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Studer 810?
« on: August 30, 2007, 07:40:03 PM »
Every Studer 810 I've seen, has a very convenient push button switch over on the front lower lefthand side for switching between NAB and IEC.  More convenient than my Studer A80 VU which needs a screw driver to turn the switch on the front panel.

70
General Discussion / Re: Website revamped
« on: August 30, 2007, 07:01:44 PM »
So Doc, what happened to the Roy Rodgers "The Slide Zone"?

71
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Ebay r2r parts seller
« on: July 22, 2007, 05:22:47 PM »
They have a web site as well:
http://www.reelprosoundguys.com/

72
Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Barclay-Crocker tape catalog?
« on: July 22, 2007, 08:11:08 AM »
Thanks guys. I got a copy of catalog #7 Dec.'81 and have a copy of that last listing on it's way also.

Any chance you might post a scan of these copies? 

I have a number of BC tapes I bought decades ago, mostly after BC moved to Poughkeepsie, NY where I worked as a young engineer for IBM.  When I saw they where in town I'd call & go over to their lab periodically and buy a bunch of tapes.  It hurts me to admit I don't remember his name, but one of the principle owners always met me and would help guide me in my selections.  It was a fabulous way for a young guy new to classical to be guided into the classical music world!  Though I now realize, you could hardly go wrong with any BC selection as they had so nicely cherry picked their catalog.  I deeply appreciate that guidance to this day.  Plus I got to see their high speed dupe lab with all the slaved Ampex's, and the paste line they used to create the boxes (he seemed particularly proud of that).  Wish I had photos!

Thanks!
Chris

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