Topics

61

Suggestion Box / Titles from Decca/London and a couple of pop titles

« on: March 25, 2008, 10:08:49 AM »

Steve, thanks for reminding us to make our suggestions.
Two of the first 10 titles are Decca/London classical. I hope TP has this as an easy source.

My favorite:
Decca SXL2020  Espana  Argenta
Almost as good:
Decca SXL2012 Grieg Peer Gynt  Fjeldstadt
Decca SXL2091 Rodrigo Concierto Aranjuez  Yepes
Decca SXL2060 Mendelssohn Midsummer Nights Dream  Maag
Decca SXL2246 Mendelssohn Sym 3  Maag
Decca SXL6529 Holst Planets  Mehta
Decca SXL6691 Stravinsky Rite of Spring  Solti

Most of these are on the Absolute Sound Super Disc List
I have all of them in original vinyl pressings on Decca. They are all available also on London pressings (generally a notch lower in sound quality, but still very fine). Master tapes should be the same. There are many more superb Decca/London titles.

There is one pop album that melts my heart
Blix Street Records S&P-501   Songbird  Eva Cassady

Finally, my favorite - he's right in the room singing to you - album -

Columbia JC35305      Stardust  Willie Nelson

Larry

62

Tape Project Machines / My Bottlehead 1500

« on: March 05, 2008, 02:54:05 AM »

I picked up my fully tricked out Bottlehead 1500 this evening at the Mission Street Studio. Dan used it for the demos we heard tonight. I couldn't wait to plug it into my system. It was late, but I played the first tape of the Arnold Overtures album. I was totally blown away. I have both the vinyl and the CD - the vinyl has been on the Harry Pearson TAS Super Disc list and deservedly so. My vinyl front end is very good (VPI TNT HR, Lyra Helicon SL, Herron Phono Preamp) but the combination of the modified RS1500 with the Bottlehead electronics and this incredible tape, makes the vinyl pale in comparison. Dynamics, depth of sound field, sense of being transported to the event itself - total involvement in the music. I have to go to sleep now, but I can't wait until tomorrow!  Dan said I got the first completely tricked out 1500 - after people hear this, there will be a long line.  Happy Camper Larry

63

Arnold Overtures / Third Tape Arrived Yesterday

« on: December 18, 2007, 10:47:41 AM »

TP-03 arrived by UPS yesterday evening. Again, I live in the SF East Bay - so am one of the closest to the shipping point.

64

Prerecorded Tapes / Decca Tapes?

« on: November 20, 2007, 07:10:59 PM »

Has anyone run into any Decca (not London) R2R prerecorded tapes. I mean the British Decca from which London records (tapes) originate. I have literally hundreds of London R2R tapes, but have never seen a Decca tape. I go to London pretty frequently (about 15 times in the past 20 years,) and I do a lot of record shopping there (I am slowing down a lot with the British pound so high). I have seen cassettes with the Decca label, but no R2R. Thanks.

65

Prerecorded Tapes / 2 Track Master Dubs and Tape Baking

« on: November 15, 2007, 10:55:27 AM »

One of the mail order vinyl dealers I use normally has some prerecorded tapes for sale. I have purchased several 4 tr 7.5in from them. They also frequently have what they call "Master Dubs" which are mostly 15in 2 track, but sometimes are 7.5in 2 track. Up to now I only have a 7.5/3.75 R2R. With the Tape Project I am getting a Doc modified RS1500, so playing these "Master Dubs" becomes possible. Quite a few of the descriptions say "baking will/may be necesary." They also list the tape types including Scotch 206, 207, 111, Ampex 406, 457, and also a notation on some that says Quantegy. Most say they are stored tails out. They prices are not cheap, sometimes as much as the Tape Project, but some of the titles are very interesting (occassionally the prices are comparable to the vinyl versions of some of the rarer titles). Can someone enlighten me on what are Master Dubs? I did look on the web and downloaded an article on tape baking that sounded complicated - using a food dehydrator/heater and not permanent in effect. Thanks, LT