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Messages - TonyB

Pages: [1] 2
1
Tape Project Albums - general / Re: What is a Tape Project tape?
« on: November 30, 2010, 01:23:27 PM »
Thanks, Steve.

I found a person in Montreal whos link is on ATR web site. The price is the same as on ebay, 10% higher than in USA. The other prices are not as nice: $49/$69 HAN D MAG becomes $125 here.

Regards,

TonyB

2
Tape Project Albums - general / Re: What is a Tape Project tape?
« on: November 30, 2010, 10:52:03 AM »
Thanks, Doc.

I thought these were the reasons behind your use of 468.

Unfortunately, US Recording does not ship outside of USA and the local Toronto supply only sells SM900 and SM911. For copies I should try 468 at 250nWb.

Regards,

TonyB

3
Tape Project Albums - general / Re: What is a Tape Project tape?
« on: November 30, 2010, 08:45:05 AM »
Hi Dan,

What tape would you use to record live sound with good archiving properties? US Recording Media seem to suggest that for the live sound SM900 is the best: "recording live material, we strongly suggest SM900 for the increased dynamic range, headroom, and lowest noise characteristics. SM900 tends to be the most transparent tape with an amazing sound field."

At the same time they do not speak of 468 that highly: "RMGI 468 is designed for more non critical applications, but still has a large following for its sound." I would think the Tape Project is critical enough  :-)

You mentioned that 468 is excellent for archiving at the levels you use. Archiving is definitely important. What levels do you use in the TP?

TIA<

TonyB

4
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: NAGRA-T-AUDIO
« on: March 04, 2009, 08:31:27 AM »
Hi Doc,

From your description I assume that you are using the internal playback head coax cables and taking it out through the rear panel, likely without an addition of a connector. Maybe a switch was added. (I will have to check if T Audio will work with the audio board unplugged).

Are you sing the original Nagra playback heads?

Regards,

Tony

5
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: NAGRA-T-AUDIO
« on: March 03, 2009, 11:21:07 AM »
Yes, the only T Audio instructions I know of were printed and usually came with the machine. That is what I have. Nagra may still have some.

Nagra does not have any service manuals left. I spent a ton of money getting them including a crook in Germany who took my money and never shipped anything.

What are people's experience with sound quality of T Audio compared to other good machines? Doc B, anyone? (I am thinking of using an external tubed playback preamp.)

TonyB

6
Tape Tech / Re: Strosberg Paper
« on: June 03, 2008, 06:53:28 AM »
Thanks, Steve!

Regards,

TonyB

7
Hi Charles,

>Didn't read your article closely but do also suggest replacing ALL coupling caps - I've had VERY good experience with Elna Cerafines.

Which Cerafines did you use for coupling caps?

Regards,

TonyB

8
Tape Tech / Re: Tape Preamp Variable EQ
« on: May 02, 2008, 06:15:09 AM »
Hi Doc,

IF (did you notice the capital IF) one can tolerate an additional switch, one could switch between the exact, high precision resistor and a pot.

Regards,

TonyB

9
Tape Project Machines / Re: Neat new mod for RS1500s
« on: April 29, 2008, 06:51:47 AM »
Looks like a great mod, Doc! I wonder if one could adapt them to other R2Rs?

Regards,

TonyB

10
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Cost of Owning Studer - Tape Lifters
« on: April 29, 2008, 06:48:01 AM »
Hi Ki,

I have finally ordered the lifter bushings through Studer Canada yesterday. Since Studer Canada orders parts all the time, things like CHF 25 surcharge for a small order do not apply. Also, my order may be attached to some other order so I may save something on shipping. Call Studer Canada and talk to Diane. If you are fast, they may order your covers at the same time.

I have another reel to reel in works...

Regards,

Tony

11
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Cost of Owning Studer - Tape Lifters
« on: April 17, 2008, 10:55:42 AM »
I gout Studer A807 MK II two weeks ago. I am replacing tape lifter bushings since mine are worn out with irregular flat spots.  The part is CHF4.00 (about $4). I need 2 pieces so I thought to get 4 to have some spares. All was fine till I got the cost: CHF25 small lot surcharge pus CHF46 for packaging and expenses. In addition, payment by bank transfer only. That means an appointment in the bank, a hour of time and $30. So $16 worth of parts costs $117. I am starting to understand the cost of owning Studer and why the previous owner never serviced it.

TonyB

12
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Head Relapping Instructions
« on: April 09, 2008, 06:37:39 AM »
For the adventurous or those who have nothing to lose, I have found these instructions for head relapping:

http://recordist.com/ampex/docs/repairtips/heads/nortronics.pdf

The basis for this document is May 1976 AES Paper Number 1122. Does anybody have this AES paper?

Regards,

TonyB

13
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Studer A807
« on: April 08, 2008, 07:18:00 AM »
Thanks DocB and Craig.

I found Athan and I will decide between getting a new pinch roller or getting it re-worked. I have spent last evening cleaning the tape path. One would not believe how much can be accumulated after 18 years. I thought that the tape lifters vere made from brown plastic. Well, after a lot of cleaning I discovered that they are steel. I think at least one is supposed to turn. But since they were completely covered with baked on oxide, there are flat spots and I will have to get new ones.

I tried to subscribe to Studer list some 10 days ago but somehow it did not go through. I will try again. I got a quote from Greg Orton for an extended response playback head. I will get it when there are finances for it (after Tape Project membership).

I had a look at Studer A807 schematics. It is a pretty complicated machine with microprocessor control to give studios easy cueing and other controls, together with quick selection of equalizations. But the audio portion is designed like a typical PRO circuit. I am not surprised at all that recorded music sounds as it does and if it was not for the Tape Project, I likely would not bother. The playback path (without VU and level adjustment portion) goes through 1 transistor, 12 OP AMPs, some DACs and 14 (!) electrolytic capacitors ranging from 4.7uF to 100uF. Recording path is similar. So that is what we listen when we play anything - LP, CD or tuner. Repo amp or eq. is the only way to go. Or, how will Studer A807 look with Ampex 350 electronics? :-)

Regards,

TonyB

14
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Sony APR-5000 - Studer A807
« on: April 07, 2008, 06:39:39 AM »
Hi Steve,

Thank you for your velcome.

I went to see the MX-5050's. A couple of original MX-5050 looked dead and I could have had them cheap but there was no more room in my car. The other two MX-5050BII were well used. I could not see tape path through oxide deposits and all heads had pretty deep grooves from tape wear. I thought that $250 was a bit too much considering that I would have to replace at least the playback head.

So I picked up Studer A807 with a bridge and a trolley in better shape :-) I will re-cap it and back up the EPROM and EEPROM. Unfortunately, the pinch roller is gone after 18 years and it has a bit of egg shape  :-( Well, one cannot win always. I am looking at the service manual and found out that there is MK I and MK II and earlier and later models on top of it. Otherwise, the A807 has OP AMPs galore and I will have to bypass all of them for playback with the repo amp or equivalent.

So this is a question for Studer experts: What are good and "cheap" sources for A807 pinch roller?

Is the A807 pinch roller the same as in A810 or A812?

Are there any instructions how to re-lap heads?

TIA,

TonyB

15
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Sony APR-5000
« on: April 05, 2008, 07:35:04 AM »
Hi Steve,

Thank you for your reply. MX-5050 seems like the easiest way to get into the Tape Project. Would not it be funny to have a playback amplifier 20x - 40x more expensive than the deck itself? I know of local 3 sources for MX-5050. I am going today to see a place that has a few of them. That place also has Studer A807 but the owner does not want to sell it.

I have a dedicated listening room but all my equipment is in a small separate room. This room is taken by 2 bass horns and a shelving unit with LPs. So there is not much room left. I have one rack there and will have to squeeze another rack for the other equipment. So a stove sized R2R is virtually out. That is what goes against APR 5000 (even though the price is good), JH 110 and Ampex 440B which I can also get locally.

I would DIY to death but I am married with kids. So time is a big problem. It means that I will have to likely buy a playback amp. The other R2R I would like is a Studer A80 but there is nothing local.

Regards,

TonyB

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