Tape Project Forum

Tape Machines => Tape Project Machines => Topic started by: xcortes on February 12, 2010, 06:44:25 PM

Title: ATR-102 with Tube Repro
Post by: xcortes on February 12, 2010, 06:44:25 PM
Not operational yet but getting there. An ATR-102 rebuilt by ATR Services as a rack mount (FOAK for Mike Spitz) with Bottlehead tube repro and Ironbut Dolby processor. The transport has, in addition to the full compliment of 1/2 track heads, a 1/4 track playback head. It has switches to select between the 1/4 and 1/2 playback heads as well as between the stock and the Bottlehead electronics.

Very decent footprint and, to me, looks very nice!

Still have to fill the void between the deck and the stock electronics. Maybe a Dolby A processor? I read somewhere that Charles is working on them
Title: Re: ATR-102 with Tube Repro
Post by: xcortes on February 12, 2010, 06:45:19 PM
Another pic
Title: Re: ATR-102 with Tube Repro
Post by: ironbut on February 12, 2010, 06:53:40 PM
Congrat's Xavier!

Keep us posted on your progress.
Title: Re: ATR-102 with Tube Repro
Post by: Teeg on February 14, 2010, 08:24:09 AM
 That setup looks great; I've never seen a 100-series machine in anything but the roll-around cart.

Can you elaborate on how switching is handled between the 1/2 track and 1/4 track playback?  Is there a factory switch on the headblock (like on older Ampex's) or was it added somewhere else in the system?

Tj
Title: Re: ATR-102 with Tube Repro
Post by: c1ferrari on February 14, 2010, 08:29:50 PM
Xavier,

That's a heckuva set-up you have there...congrats!

-Sam
Title: Re: ATR-102 with Tube Repro
Post by: xcortes on February 15, 2010, 07:44:02 AM
Quote
Can you elaborate on how switching is handled between the 1/2 track and 1/4 track playback?  Is there a factory switch on the headblock (like on older Ampex's) or was it added somewhere else in the system?

There's two switches on the headblock. One to select between 1/4 and 1/2 track heads. The other to select stock or Bottlehead electronics. They are under the headblock cover. They were added by ATR Services. I'll try to post as pic tonight.
Title: Re: ATR-102 with Tube Repro
Post by: xcortes on February 28, 2010, 05:57:10 PM
The deck and repro are working right now. The preamp needs a lot of breaking in yet so it's still sounding harsh but Led Zeppelin is rocking as I had never heard before. This is punch and rythm baby!
Title: Re: ATR-102 with Tube Repro
Post by: ironbut on February 28, 2010, 07:16:23 PM
Woo Hoo!!!

That's been quite a journey Xavier!
I'm sure it'll reward you many, many times over.
Title: Re: ATR-102 with Tube Repro
Post by: docb on February 28, 2010, 08:27:10 PM
Quote
The preamp needs a lot of breaking in yet so it's still sounding harsh

That is why we let our customers decide about having V-Caps in there. They do sound great eventually, but at first...ouch.