Tape Project Forum
Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: heideana on April 05, 2007, 11:19:48 AM
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Which format would you go for in an ATR 102, 1/4" or 1/2", given the context of home audiophile/studio? I've got more then a few 1/4" machines, and am intrigued with the idea of getting a 1/2" machine to make really specially dubs to. I know that two 1/4" tracks hold more analog information then two 1/8" tracks, but how much of that information is translated into actual listening?
Also, how much would I be looking at if I wanted to get a "working" ATR 102 and where's the best place to look for one?
Thanks in advance for thoughts....Hopkins
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Not a direct answer to your question but something that might be of interest to you...
I was talking with John French from JRF Magnetic Sciences about a convertible Studer A820 that would do 1/4" and 1/2". Swap out the head block and guides then re-calibrate and you have a different machine. He was just finishing one for a guy in LA this past week.
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Kewl! I've been wondering about the "swap-a-head" technology and if its' really accurate?
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The conversion from 1/4" to 1/2" is very easy on an ATR. 1/2" sounds mo betta'. But what are you dubbing? If you're dubbing from 1/2" it's the way to go. If you're dubbing from 1/4" there would be less loss in theory than if you dubbed to 1/4", but you won't really be getting more from the 1/2" dub of 1/4" than you would from the 1/4" original in terms of sonics.
All that said, we may be offering custom dubs of Tape Project masters to 1/2" tape at some future point. This means disruption of the duping schedule for conversion of a slave to 1/2" and subsequent aligment, and then time spent changing the machine back to 1/4". It also means more expensive tape. Thus the price would have to be considerably higher than the 1/4" albums.
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1/2 inch dubs? That was my own daydream all last year, me being unaware that you were planning this whole Tape Project thing. Dang, now I just may have to figure a way of getting an ATR-102 into my place, and it's a small place. If you do offer some 1/2 in. dubs you will really complicate my life, but I mean that in a good way!
But maybe it's a good excuse to get and old Scully 280 and convert it. I always wanted to make an upgrade reproduce amp card. Anybody know where I can get one, maybe an MS (Motion Sense) model?
Rich Lane
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The conversion from 1/4" to 1/2" is very easy on an ATR. 1/2" sounds mo betta'. But what are you dubbing? If you're dubbing from 1/2" it's the way to go. If you're dubbing from 1/4" there would be less loss in theory than if you dubbed to 1/4", but you won't really be getting more from the 1/2" dub of 1/4" than you would from the 1/4" original in terms of sonics.
All that said, we may be offering custom dubs of Tape Project masters to 1/2" tape at some future point. This means disruption of the duping schedule for conversion of a slave to 1/2" and subsequent aligment, and then time spent changing the machine back to 1/4". It also means more expensive tape. Thus the price would have to be considerably higher than the 1/4" albums.
Oh why why why did you have to mention this... and my 820s are still at ATR. The big question is how on earth to find the 1/2" parts (guides and headblock) without breaking the bank.