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Topics - TomR

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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
A few months ago my amp blew (Classe SA5300) and the incident damaged my Magnepan 3.7s. I sent them back to the factory for repair and also to be upgraded to the 3.7i version.  My dealer was kind enough to loan me a pair of MMGs, which, while not sounding too bad, clearly are inferior to the 3.7s, which they should be, at 10% of the cost.  I listened to Tape A of this release through the MMGs, but I realized that this isn't a fair evaluation.

First reaction is that this is a more romantic performance that we are accustomed to these days, but I'll reserve further comments until I have the 3.7is in the system.  They ship on Monday.

BTW, the Classe has blown channels twice.  The first time wasn't as bad - only the amp was damaged.  I have had extensive discussions with them, and I believe we won't see a repeat of this.  They also extended the warranty.

3
Mine finally arrived.  Looking forward to hearing it.

4
General Discussion / Tape Storage
« on: January 06, 2017, 10:32:25 AM »
I am going to be moving my tapes from my office into what we call the "music room".  (We call it that because I keep my two guitars there, one Spanish and one steel string.  Sadly, I am a poor guitar player, but they look great).  I also keep my jazz and popular LPs there, using Mapleshade storage units.  Just curious what others use for tape storage.  The Mapleshade look good, but there are a few negatives.  In my office, where my classical LPs reside, I use Ikea Expedit, which unfortunately have been discontinued by Ikea.

5
Suggestion Box / Choral music
« on: November 07, 2016, 11:20:20 AM »
I think large scale choral music would benefit greatly from a Tape Project release, and would be something completely different.  What I mean by this is something like, say Brahms' Requiem. 

6
Work Song / Work Song
« on: May 14, 2016, 01:15:21 PM »
I haven't been very active in this Forum recently, mostly due to the fact that I haven't been listening to my tapes very much, having a very busy work schedule.  15 ips 2 track tapes are there when you are rested and have time to really listen, and life has been too hectic for that.

Well, today I have some forced down time - my water heater went out and I'm waiting for a plumber to show and replace it, so what better use of time than to (finally) unwrap tape 28 and give it a listen! 

Well, call me impressed. I am not familiar with the LP issue of this recording, but I do know that this tape really swings. I don't know that I have enjoyed hearing a new tape as much as this since Brilliant Corners.

Well done, guys!

8
Be Altitude: Respect Yourself / Played this for my wife last night
« on: January 15, 2014, 02:59:33 PM »
She loved it! 

I moved in May to Burlingame, and my system is a bit different now - I still have my Technics RS1520 as the front end, but I am using Magnepan 3.7s with a Martin Logan Descent sub, and a Classe amp (preamp is an NAD).

Some mentioned that this tape sounds better at high volume - I totally agree! The dynamics really pop, and YOU CAN HEAR EVERYTHING, including some very subtle effects. My only complaints, and they aren't big- there is a lot of leader and trailer on each reel, and the included art is skimpy, although may be an exact reproduction of the original Stax LP.

I saw that this tape was in stock this week - even though this music isn't my own normal cup of tea I can highly recommend this tape.

9
Prerecorded Tapes / RCA reissues on 15 ips?
« on: September 17, 2013, 10:16:45 AM »
In the latest issue of The Absolute Sound, Jonathan Valin, who has become a big fan of tape, mentions that there is some groundswell to issue some of the 50s RCAs on 15 ips 2 track tape. Analogue Productions is doing a set of reissues of a number of famous recordings on 200 gram LP and SACD and the topic came up in discussion between Valin (who is a maven of RCA recordings) and Chad Kassem of AP. Nothing concrete, AKAIK, but possibly more than a rumor.

Great recordings, of course, classics, but I personally would rather see a series of Deccas.

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General Discussion / Tape Coverage in The Absolute Sound
« on: June 09, 2013, 10:59:54 AM »
I didn't see a mention of this before, so here goes. The latest issue of The Absolute Sound (July/August, 2013) has quite a lot of coverage of RTR, starting with a review of the United Home Audio UHA-HQ tape deck (which Valin describes as the best source component he has ever heard, regardless of format). He also has a shorter review of the SonoruS ATR10, and also a list of available 15ips tapes. Very good reading. V

Somehow he managed to hear a dupe of a safety master of Sgt. Pepper....the description will make your mouth water. We can only dream!

11
Tape Project Albums - general / Projected Dates for Series III?
« on: November 15, 2011, 12:30:17 PM »
Received "The Sermon" a few weeks back, really enjoying it.

There are two dates I'd like to hear about:

1. Projected date for announcement of remaining Series III titles, which I hope will be classical......

2. Projected first shipping date for the first Series III title - can we hope for something nice under the Christmas tree?

Tom

12
Prerecorded Tapes / yarlung records?
« on: August 22, 2011, 09:11:43 PM »
The Sonorus Audio web site (see thread below in the hardware section) mentions two producers of tapes - The Tape Project, of course, but also Yarlung records. I checked their web site and saw some vinyl for sale but no tape. Anyone with information?

Tom

13
Suggestion Box / Nojima
« on: August 21, 2011, 09:56:46 PM »
After hearing Nojima plays Liszt, perhaps Nojima plays Ravel would be a great follow up.

Or.....while it is apparently true that Nojima is microphone shy.....perhaps an original TP production would be in order! How about Nojima plays Chopin? Simultaneous licensing with Reference Recordings for other formats? Or Rachmaninoff....or Schubert.....or Beethoven......or Brahms.....

14
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Sonorus ATR10
« on: August 21, 2011, 11:46:07 AM »
I saw this new deck in TAS, discussed briefly in one of ths show reports.

http://www.sonorusaudio.com/ATR10_FIF7.html

They are claiming Studer quality for this machine - anyone know anything about it?

Tom

15
Brilliant Corners / Brilliant Corners......absolutely brilliant
« on: June 19, 2011, 10:15:01 AM »
I was listening to this last night - in total I have probably played this about 5 times. A truly magnificent release, not only for the sound but the music. If you are a recent subscriber and don't have this.....get it.

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