Tape Project Forum
Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: SvampeBob Firkant on September 26, 2011, 08:48:04 AM
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Hi to all!
This is my first post, hope not the last one.
I am from Europe and I want to join the Tape Project' Club.
Last weekend spent a bit of time trying to read the posts here. Could be that I missed some of important infos, however...
my feeling is that the Project itself is heavily influenced by US' perspective.
Why I mean so?
The machines chosen to be 'workhorses' of Tape Project (TP) are chosen from US perspective. Even very informative and interesting document by Arian Jansen has the 'show-stopper for Europeans' (in a doc it is stated 'if you are not in US you can stop reading here').
I can understand majority of TP' subscribers are from States, but I do believe in other parts of the World, especially in Europe there are lot of potential subscribers too.
Having stated that, I want to ask few questions to all my more experienced Colleagues:
I have a chance to get to my audio collection:
.Revox PR99 mk3 (mint condition)
.Otari MX-55N (very good condition)
.Revox PR99 mk1 player only (good condition, after service check by Revox specialist)
.and Revox C270 (very good condition).
Pricing of all above is more-or-less similar (difference between the cheapest PR99mk1 and the most expensive C270 is up to 20%). All a/m r2r fulfill TP' technical requirements.
1. After getting some of local (I mean - European) advice I was suggested to go with Revox and not Otari, due to ater sale service and spare part availability issues; could you please let me know your comments on that? Does the Revox (being more future-proof for Eurpoean) deserve to overcome Otari in the final choice?
2. my system is basically tube oriented; shall I go - for reproduction of TP' tapes - with PR99 mk1 or PR99 mk3? In coming weeks I intend to purchase tube Bottlehead Tube Repro - provided you will be able to offer this to European TP' enthusiast ;-). I am aware of the opinion that PR99 mk1 is more 'purist' than mk3, but is this justifying having two machines (one 'pure' playing only - i.e. PR99 mk1 and second for normal tape related activity recording/playing - i.e. PR99 mk3).
3. I was in contact with Otari HQ and understand the new MX5050 is not available for Europe anymore (could be that is not available at all); how this will change TP' Team perspective as to chosen machines: Technics and Otari? will you intend to add Studer/Revox mod's to the list?
My idea is to purchase one (!) r2r at the moment (if I would go for two, I will most probably end up with pair of PR99mk1+PR99mk3 or PRmk1+Otari55N; however this is not he case now - I need to save some resources for tapes ;-) )
Hope my post will not be understood as a claim, but as a bit of request to become 'more European' oriented in the Project than up to date :-).
Anyway, the TP and this Forum is great and I am happy that I came across your idea - after focusing a bit of time on vinyl front-end only, your approach (tape front-end) gave me a lot of freshness and new enthusiasm in my audiophile life.
All the best to all of You!
Robert
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I'm also a European but I still not really understand what you are asking?
Are you asking what R2R to buy? All the choices are good you listed and if Revox is better for you in a service point of view, then go for it.
Cheers
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Yeah, what Peder says. Every once in a while I get a message from someone who asks me why I am biased against a certain machine. Just because I haven't cooked up free instructions on how to mod something doesn't mean I don't like it. That's why we have tried to develop a database of machines that will work with the TP tape format, to give as many choices as possible.
From a standpoint of parts availability I would take a guess that an ATR 100 will be easiest to get parts for because if some certain part has been used up Mike Spitz will make a new one. Studers should be reasonably easy to find parts for because there are so many around even though there is no direct way to get parts from Studer anymore. I had little trouble finding parts on ebay for the A80 we have here. Tascam/Teac still sell parts I think and I imagine they should be reasonably easy to get parts for. You can apparently still get some Otari parts from the current distributor, and there are tons of parts and parts queens available through ebay etc. I should think there would be lots of Revox parts around, but I have not worked on them much lately except for a G36 that I had to sub some reel holdowns from later machines onto. Arian would know a lot better than I about Revox A77,B77,PR99 parts, but I would guess that since they aren't in production anymore it's going to be basically the same situation as any of the other no longer made tape machines. Technics parts are not readily available, but Jeff Jacobs at j-corder does make some replacement cosmetic parts.
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Dear Both!
Thank you for reacting. Could be that my post did not clearly specify what I had in mind, but I have to say both of you answered the way I appreciate.
Just for your info: last few days I was so excited by the Tape Project idea that this morning I drove 400km to the person who had all R2R machines I listed. And guess what...
After few hours of talks and listening to his tapes I come back with Studer A 810 in pretty good condition, together with rack and some basic stuff needed to begin the experience with the Tape.
So - there is no way back. Next step will be the subscription and maybe some mods of my new R2R.
All the best to all!
Robert
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A810 is a very nice choice, congratulations and enjoy.
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Robert,
Be prepared to be blown away
Cheers
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I wish I could...
So far trying to order The Tape Project first tapes, but no success...
Sent two emails to queen@ as per web instruction (first dd Sep 29th, second yesterday). So far no reply.
Do you have any suggestion what to next do to get the first tape I dream about?
I want to start The Tape experience soon :-)
All the best to Forum Members!
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Sorry Robert,
Eileen says she hasn't seen your emails. She will check her spam folder when she gets into the office. You might also try sending to dan at tapeproject dot com, and I can forward your request to her.
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Dan!
Thanks a lot. Ellen just send me an email, I will pay today and hope to enjoy Tape Project adventure soon. :-)
Looking forward to this moment!
All the best to Forum Members :-)
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Thanks for your order, Robert!
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Robert , I got my studer a810 modded by Doc to accept external electronic ie Tube repro which is so much more superior to stock electronic. Enjoy your music . Welcome to the reel to reel audio nirvana
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Hi Robert,
yes, yes, these US-guy's are often doing there own thing... (JUST JOKING!)
The tapes from TP are recorded in CCIR not NAB. That's the European standard and makes it easier for our Revox, Studer, Nagra, etc.
ATR 100's are hardly available.
Buying the 810 is definitely right. I own them both, 810 and PR99. Not compare able, by mechanics and sound.
I can not recommend to by an Otari. I needed months to find a service for a BTR-5 in Germany. It is a great machine, but they told me there are not spare parts for Otaris.
regards
/peter
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Hi Robert
You said your system with tubes, I did modified my A810 with a tube out put in very good result. I post that with pictures in whatsbestforum.com, also we did some pure analog recordings, for reference visit ultraanaloguerescordings.com
regard
tony ma
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To: audioblazers / lilak5 / tonykyma
Thank you for advice and help; I am ready for the next step which will be tube repro :-)
In the meantime - while waiting for the package with first TP tape - I bought Revox B77 mkII 4 tracks to get the experience with pre-recorded tapes from the past.
Also bought Revox B 710 mk II to listen to Compact Cassette :-)
Now my system is more-or-less ready to cope with all tapes :-D
Greetings to all Forum Members!
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Got first tape from US today :-D
It will be a long night here, together with my A810, TRI VP300BD tube amplifier, ART Emotion Classic 12" loudspeakers and Jacqui Naylor on TP-001!
Of course, lights will go off and only sound will be with me - following advice of Dr. Knobs.
Thanks for all involved in making this happened.
All the best!
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I think your avatar sums it up all too well.
Enjoy.