Messages

46

Tape Tech / Re: Studer A810 Varispeed

« on: December 04, 2011, 12:20:14 PM »

Hi Jordan:

Welocome to the place where it all started - the modern tape resurgnece...  Sorry for late response.

Please send me an email.  I can help you with adding the varispeed.

Ki

47

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: NAB Hubs for the T-Audio

« on: November 23, 2011, 04:08:30 PM »

Hi Hani:

It's a basic supply and demand situation - not to mention Doc B's stellar demo of the TP tapes at the major audio shows using his Nagra T having boosted interest level for the machine, IMHO.

The CINE adapters for the T used to sell for around $400 a pair but the last one sold for more.  The metal NAB hubs used to sell for around $800 if my memory serves me right.  The meterbridges went for around $1,500 but that was more than a year ago - a long time in the scale of tape time. ;-)

Ki

48

Tape Tech / Re: A810 318 amorphous butterfly heads & time code

« on: November 08, 2011, 08:04:57 PM »

great news that you got it going.

The calibration section of the Studer A810 manual is very well written (even for German speaking country like Swiss..)
 
Now, give us a report on sonic improvements (?) of the 318 Amorphous heads over the normal 2mm gap heads.

Thanks,
Ki

49

Tape Tech / Re: A810 318 amorphous butterfly heads & time code

« on: November 08, 2011, 12:21:47 PM »

Hi Steve:

I don't have an A810 with full track erase head to confirm the wiring but the non-TC staggered erase head should be wired:

Top (in relationship to the mounting) erase head - Black on Pin 13, Brown on Pin 12 (for TC erase head, Green is on 13 and Orange is on 12)

Bottom erase head - Black on pin 25 , Brown on Pin 24 (TC erase head Green is on 25 and Orange is on 24)

Hope it helps.

Did you check the record section for the EEEC1 and 2 errors?

Ki

50

Tape Tech / Re: A810 318 amorphous butterfly heads & time code

« on: November 07, 2011, 11:27:18 AM »

Steve:

somehow I didn't see your questions before.
I will take a look at the headblock wiring with the TC head in one of my machines and will give you the pin wiring info for the Erase head. 

In the meantime, your current error message of EEEC1 relates to the MPU prohibiting record funcition on CH 1 and may not be related to the Erase head wiring.  It would be the similar error you had for CH2 record prohibit as EEEC2.  I would double check the mods you made to the Record cards and reset the MPU card (either by pushing the reset button on the MPU card or power down/up one extra time).

Ki

51

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Is this the end?

« on: November 03, 2011, 01:04:27 PM »

Hey DocB:

You are welcome and glad to help out in getting rid of the fine master recorders from all of your contacts.

It seems your new "hobby" will take a lot more space than the one I have...  It will never fly with my wife.

Ki

52

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Is this the end?

« on: November 03, 2011, 10:03:36 AM »

Well, no... it is only the last means (hopefully) to the ultimate end ... reproduction of fine music...

Thanks to Doc B for feeding my disease that has no cure but... only periodic remedies? this time a Studer C37.  Ready for TLC and rebuild.

53

Tape Tech / Re: A810 318 amorphous butterfly heads & time code

« on: November 02, 2011, 11:38:46 AM »

Hi Steve:

Thanks for the doc.  As mentioned, I had it as well but hadn't looked into it for years...

Unless you are doing your own recording and do have needs to manipulate CH1 and CH2 separately, most of us record or repro both channels at the same time - removing the need for the staggered erase head.  If you are into recording and/or playing two channel material, you could use full track erase head to replace the TC erase head.  I personally like to remove all TC related cards in the rack to reduce any possibility of noise getting into music.

Ki

54

Tape Tech / Re: A810 318 amorphous butterfly heads & time code

« on: November 02, 2011, 10:09:06 AM »

Hi Steve:

For the most (if not all) audiophile application, we just remove the TC head.  I have seen some people install 4 track repro head in its place with a switch - although I am not certain if there are enough worthy 1/4 track pre-recorded tapes to justify the mod.

As for the 318 butterfly heads, I would be interested in seeing the Studer information you are referring to:

"I have made the mods to the head repro amp & the record amp adaptation boards as per Studer instructions."

People who know more about Studer than me stated that having the butterfly heads will increase S/N and output by ~10dB but will give up some in crosstalk spec.  I have used them both but the improvement in longer lasting material used in 318 heads is the key, IMHO.

Ki

55

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: NAGRA-T-AUDIO

« on: October 27, 2011, 09:42:07 PM »

send me your email address via PM.

Ki

56

Tape Tech / Re: Otari MX5050BII main speed switch

« on: September 10, 2011, 12:39:24 PM »

Neal,

The issue is that when the deck is calibrated with its factory default 7.5/15 ips mode - for HI speed, it will be for 15 ips and the Lo speed will be for 7.5 ips.  The moment you switch the deck into 3.25/7.5 ips mode, your HI speed is 7.5 and Lo is 3.25 ips.

The MX5050BII's EQ calibration is done by adjusting various pots for either 7.5/15 or 3.25/7.5 but not for both...
So it is mostly likely that when you play 3.25 ips tapes, you will be playing with EQ adjustments for 7.5 ips.

Ki

57

Tape Tech / Re: Otari MX5050BII main speed switch

« on: September 09, 2011, 11:24:01 AM »

Be careful... since the deck is calibrated for one set of speeds (with trim pots)..., if you change the speed set, ideally you would need to recalibrate the machine - at least its repro section.

Ki

58

General Discussion / Re: Updates to home page

« on: July 28, 2011, 09:29:36 AM »

I liked the new photos.  As most of the readers are geeks (like me), I would like to see more tech info to balance the customer testimonials which is always good.

59

Tape Tech / Re: New (to me) ST 1510A question

« on: July 13, 2011, 12:43:41 PM »

Ok guys.

It might take a while but I will document the mod I had made to Sony APR-5003 for reduced fan noise in a separate thread.

However, don't hold your breath! ;-)

60

Tape Tech / Re: New (to me) ST 1510A question

« on: July 11, 2011, 11:00:09 AM »

Thanks Christopher for the PDF.

Although I still haven't fix the issue, it will certainly help me to dig into the challenge.

BTW, I have two Sony APR-5003s, and I had to learn its inner workings when one of them died all of sudden.  In addition, I had modified their noisy fans with nearing airplane taking off levels to audiophile acceptable whispher quiet state...