Tape Project Forum
General Category => Raw Tape => Topic started by: babelia on October 20, 2026, 01:07:54 PM
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Hi everyone,
I?d appreciate some advice from people with hands-on experience using a Studer A810 with RTM LPR35 and LPR90.
I mainly listen to and record complete albums, and I prefer long-play tape because it allows me to fit an entire album on a reel without having to change reels halfway through. SM900 and SM911 are also options, of course, but the shorter playing time and the cost of using thicker tape make LPR35 and LPR90 more practical for my needs.
I?ve heard from fellow audiophiles and tape enthusiasts that some Studer owners run their machines at 15 ips, CCIR/IEC, with a reference fluxivity of 514 nWb/m, even when using LPR35 or LPR90. The idea, as I understand it, is to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and reduce audible tape hiss, provided the recording levels are managed carefully and the tape is properly biased and aligned.
I?d like to establish whether this is actually a sound approach, rather than simply relying on second-hand advice.
My questions are:
1. Has anyone here used LPR35 or LPR90 at 15 ips on a Studer A810 calibrated for 514 nWb/m? What were your experiences?
2. Does using this higher reference fluxivity provide a worthwhile audible reduction in tape hiss compared with 320 nWb/m?
3. Is there sufficient headroom for normal musical peaks, particularly with LPR35, or does high-frequency saturation become a concern?
4. Would you use the same reference fluxivity for both LPR35 and LPR90, or would you recommend different settings?
5. For someone recording complete albums and wanting a good balance between low noise, sound quality, tape economy and playing time, would you recommend 514 nWb/m or stick with 320 nWb/m?
I?m not trying to push the tape beyond its capabilities or chase a theoretical specification. I?m interested in what actually works in practice on a properly aligned machine, with suitable bias and recording levels.
I?d be particularly interested in feedback from anyone who has compared these two reference levels on a Studer, rather than general recommendations based solely on the tape manufacturer?s nominal reference level.
Thanks for any advice or first-hand experiences.