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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: What hardware are you using?
« on: June 19, 2011, 06:22:54 PM »
I have received my RS-1520 head block back from John French. He did an awesome job on the heads, tape guides, and switch.
All playback/record heads were re-lapped with edge relief slots cut. The ferrite erase head was re-lapped and polished as well. John was also able to send a pair of pinch rollers too!
I played a tape I made on my Tascam 22-4 @ 15 IPS and it played back with a dead center stereo image on the 4 track head.
I then recorded 2 track @ 15 IPS and playback was very good. Needless to say the machine sounds a lot better after the head block reinstall and tape guide adjustments.
But the machine needs the capstan control board adjusted a bit, as well as wow/flutter/speed adjustments. It needs a lot of work for tape tension and brake tension too, which is most assuredly affecting speed stability. It also doesn't stop all the time in a state where the tension switch is engaged, another tell tale sign of tension/brake issues. I don't have test tapes or measurement equipment to make the speed adjustments myself.
So I ordered a shipping box from Doc to send it off for a service manual run through for adjustments, so we are making progress down here. After the machine gets back I will install the tape path modification kit Doc sent. I will just need to go through 2 track record/playback alignment routine when all is said and done.
Does anyone know the best starting BIAS and EQ switch setting for RMGI SM468 on an RS-1520?
All playback/record heads were re-lapped with edge relief slots cut. The ferrite erase head was re-lapped and polished as well. John was also able to send a pair of pinch rollers too!
I played a tape I made on my Tascam 22-4 @ 15 IPS and it played back with a dead center stereo image on the 4 track head.
I then recorded 2 track @ 15 IPS and playback was very good. Needless to say the machine sounds a lot better after the head block reinstall and tape guide adjustments.
But the machine needs the capstan control board adjusted a bit, as well as wow/flutter/speed adjustments. It needs a lot of work for tape tension and brake tension too, which is most assuredly affecting speed stability. It also doesn't stop all the time in a state where the tension switch is engaged, another tell tale sign of tension/brake issues. I don't have test tapes or measurement equipment to make the speed adjustments myself.
So I ordered a shipping box from Doc to send it off for a service manual run through for adjustments, so we are making progress down here. After the machine gets back I will install the tape path modification kit Doc sent. I will just need to go through 2 track record/playback alignment routine when all is said and done.
Does anyone know the best starting BIAS and EQ switch setting for RMGI SM468 on an RS-1520?