Tape Project Forum
Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: Red Grant on August 09, 2011, 03:26:14 PM
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I have heard that it is the biggest issue with 20a se that the logic circuit for some reason has a tendency to get shorts.
Is this due to 'dirty' electricity? Would getting a high quality power conditioner or regenerator make a positive difference?
....and would it be possible to make replacement logic circuit through reverse engineering?
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Hi Red,
I seriously doubt that the "quality" of the AC has much to do with the failure of the logic circuit. It could help things along but I'd venture to guess that aging IC's and power supply caps have more to do with logic circuit failure.
I always have to wonder about the accuracy of the claims I've read about the source of machine issues. It's one thing if someone says that a problem can be traced to "such and such" a circuit because they've corrected the problem by repairing that circuit, but it's very common for folks to say that they've heard that a particular circuit is a common problem based on 2nd or 3rd hand accounts.
Now I'm not accusing you of spreading rumors but rather warning you to take this stuff with a grain of salt. If you want to learn about this particular machine, I suggest you ask someone who's corrected the issues that are being blamed on the logic circuit. Otherwise, it' just talk.
Regarding the reverse engineering of this circuit,.. anything is possible given the time and funds. The question in my mind is "would this machine be worth going to all that trouble"?
I remember when these machines were new and I have to admit that I lusted after them for a bit. I used a buddies a number of times and it was nice for a consumer machine. Later on I got a chance to use an Otari 5050 and my impression was that it was 10 times the machine that the Tandberg is.
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Later on I got a chance to use an Otari 5050 and my impression was that it was 10 times the machine that the Tandberg is.
You mean 10 times based on sonics, or on durability/reliability/maintainability issues?
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From the standpoint of being a solid, no nonsense machine.
I think experience has proven this out too. Even abused Otari's usually operate correctly with very little work while Tandberg 20 series machines which have been "babied" seldom do.
The Tandberg stomps all over the 5050 when it comes to clean, attractive cosmetics (actually, I wish Otari had spent a little more time on that,.. even just painting them cream like their studio machines would've been an improvement).
These two machines were designed for very different users. The Tandberg for the home user who values good looks and flexibility and the Otari was for places like radio stations and film studios where it needs to work hour after hour being abused by multiple users.
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Mmm.. a cream color for my 5050. I LIKE! If it was easy to do the graphics this would be a fun project. Oh well.....
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I have heard
From the forum rules:
we require that any information offered about an experience be firsthand, that is, no "I heard that some guys/my friend/my enemy/my mom tried that and hated/loved it" posts. Only posts that are based upon first hand experience are truly useful in the Internet environment. If someone you respect told you of their experience and you are dying to share it, ask that person to post their first hand experience here themself.
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My sincerest apologies, sorry for my clumsiness in asking questions.
Should have asked like this:
"What is the experience of people who have used Tandbergh TD20A SE compared to Otari MX5050 High speed version in regard to sonics, reliability, durability, and maintainability?"
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My sincerest apologies, sorry for my clumsiness in asking questions.
Should have asked like this:
"What is the experience of people who have used Tandbergh TD20A SE compared to Otari MX5050 High speed version in regard to sonics, reliability, durability, and maintainability?"
The Otari is more reliable certainly more durable and maintainable. Sonically and I have the TD20a high speed there is not much in it, the tandberg is slightly quieter but I prefer the Otari. They are both lousy tape handlers, and a Tascam BR20 knocks them dead!
Fred
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Great! I have Pioneer rt-2022, two of them. I know rt-2022 is certainly comparable to br20, at least sonic wise.