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Author Topic: Seduction tape head mod  (Read 4676 times)

Offline Listens2tubes

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Seduction tape head mod
« on: July 23, 2011, 02:51:14 PM »
I have a Bottlehead Seduction phono preamp. I want to convert it to a tape head preamp with NAB and IEC EQ. I have read the thread and noted needed parts, final cap values and such. I am just wondering if there are any real instructions available.

The seller described this as factory built. It came with the "Suduction  A guide to constructing the..." manual and Packing List dated 12/16/10, a 3X (11"x 17") picture of the non-C4S assembled chassis, another 11' x 17" with 4 different angle pictures and description of adding 1" standoffs to the transformer, a pink sheet detailing revisions 4-29-04 and a Sales Receipt dated 12/9/2010 where the suduction with C4s upgrade kit add up to 444.00 USD. It is meticulously assembled with C4S board over the input RCAs, but no standoffs on the transformer. I would think the tranformer 1" satdoffs coub be retrofitted due the the wiring being long enough the "stretch" the distance. Though said stretching would take them away from the chassis/ground plane. Is this a good idea? And how about the tape head mod?

Neal - Ampex Fineline F-44, 3 - Otari MX5050BII-2, Revox A77 Mk II , Teac A 4010s, 4070, Sony TC102A, Magnecord 1020, Systemdek IIX/Dynavector Karat 17D2MKII, CEC CD3300 CDP, K Works NanoMax DAC, Van Alsine Transcendence Eight+ tube preamp, Dynaco MkIV amp pair, Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v1

Offline docb

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Re: Seduction tape head mod
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2011, 04:34:38 PM »
The standoffs made a very tiny difference in the hum level and in retrospect I don't know that putting them in is really justified. The instructions for the Seduction tape head mod "is what they is". It was never intended as a step by step kind of thing, more of a parts list and general game plan for someone willing to take the time to gather their own parts, mod their own tape deck, and work from the photos. We never offered it as a kit and only built a few finished ones because the gain is often rather marginal with typical tape heads. That is why we developed the Eros tape head preamp - more gain, more sophisticated design, better sound. 
Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President for Life, Bottlehead Corp.
Managing Director - retired, The Tape Project

Offline Listens2tubes

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Re: Seduction tape head mod
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2011, 06:55:44 PM »
Thank you, Dan, for that clarification. I will forge ahead. Looking forward to my Otari playing with seduction.
Neal - Ampex Fineline F-44, 3 - Otari MX5050BII-2, Revox A77 Mk II , Teac A 4010s, 4070, Sony TC102A, Magnecord 1020, Systemdek IIX/Dynavector Karat 17D2MKII, CEC CD3300 CDP, K Works NanoMax DAC, Van Alsine Transcendence Eight+ tube preamp, Dynaco MkIV amp pair, Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v1

Offline Listens2tubes

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Re: Seduction tape head mod
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2011, 02:56:09 PM »
because the gain is often rather marginal with typical tape heads. That is why we developed the Eros tape head preamp - more gain, more sophisticated design, better sound. 

Well that last statement ate away at me. And since selling my old linestage I had some $. So, I bought an Eros Tape Head pre, and somehow checked the 220V box, DUH!!!! So I have an email or 2 in to correct my mis-step. Now to sell a Seduction phono pre.

One nervosa down, what a hobby!
Neal - Ampex Fineline F-44, 3 - Otari MX5050BII-2, Revox A77 Mk II , Teac A 4010s, 4070, Sony TC102A, Magnecord 1020, Systemdek IIX/Dynavector Karat 17D2MKII, CEC CD3300 CDP, K Works NanoMax DAC, Van Alsine Transcendence Eight+ tube preamp, Dynaco MkIV amp pair, Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v1