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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: newbee looking for direction on 15 ips recorders
« on: February 15, 2008, 05:49:36 PM »
Funny that I was about to recommend Tascam 32 or even better, a 42. Teac X-2000M is pretty good, too.
Can you believe it? Tape Project is ten years old! Thanks to everyone who has supported us in introducing studio quality tape reproduction to the audiophile community!
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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Revox C-270
« on: February 12, 2008, 09:27:01 PM »
Well, actually late A810 is more like an A820 than an A812. Late A810 and A820 share the same reproduce amp, record amp, etc, and sure, those damn dry tantalum caps.
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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Revox C-270
« on: February 04, 2008, 04:34:14 PM »
Awesome, Arian! Be sure to keep us updated! Probably I can make PCBs for you. :)
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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Sony APR-5000, Otari MX-50 & Otari MTR-15
« on: January 31, 2008, 07:34:20 PM »
Well, Bob, if you talk about heads, basic transport parts, conversion kits such as 1/2" to 1/4" or 1/4" to 1/2",
John of Sprague Magnetics or JRF can help you on both APR and MTR-15. Electronics wise, as far as you keep
firmware EPROM backups, minor repairs can be easily done. For other mechnical parts, part machines are
the only way to go. It's possible to get Otari parts directly from Japan yet the source has not been reliable.
Again, John may hunt for certain parts for you, and I have found out APR is easier than MTR-15.
Talk about MTR-15, it's the most sophisticated machine I have come across. Mechanical parts are not as good as Studers
yet the electronics are simply second to none. Very well assembled with lots of attenion paid to details.
The downside is the head amp is all OPs with lengthy signal paths, even worse than A820. This hurts the sound quality.
The heads are hard permalloy... great sounding yet dont last long...
Don't be scared off by my words on the MTR. It's more reliable than APR, newer than APR so it shall last longer.
You can have someone do OP swaps then it will sound superb!
In either case, if you can get a good deal, I'd say either APR or MTR-15 will be a great pick.
John of Sprague Magnetics or JRF can help you on both APR and MTR-15. Electronics wise, as far as you keep
firmware EPROM backups, minor repairs can be easily done. For other mechnical parts, part machines are
the only way to go. It's possible to get Otari parts directly from Japan yet the source has not been reliable.
Again, John may hunt for certain parts for you, and I have found out APR is easier than MTR-15.
Talk about MTR-15, it's the most sophisticated machine I have come across. Mechanical parts are not as good as Studers
yet the electronics are simply second to none. Very well assembled with lots of attenion paid to details.
The downside is the head amp is all OPs with lengthy signal paths, even worse than A820. This hurts the sound quality.
The heads are hard permalloy... great sounding yet dont last long...
Don't be scared off by my words on the MTR. It's more reliable than APR, newer than APR so it shall last longer.
You can have someone do OP swaps then it will sound superb!
In either case, if you can get a good deal, I'd say either APR or MTR-15 will be a great pick.
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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Revox C-270
« on: January 31, 2008, 05:00:30 PM »
Airan,
Care to share your tube head amp? You have got me all excited!
-finney
Care to share your tube head amp? You have got me all excited!
-finney
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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Tascam BR 20
« on: January 28, 2008, 09:57:55 PM »
Yep, getting an ATR is just the beginning! This is the same for MTR-15, APR 5002, and A820/A80, etc, All have the potentials
but unfortunately not every machine has someone to do the mod for you.
You can never get 4 track heads for BR20... I'd suggest you keep it anyway though.
That machine has real potential. Have someone beef up the power, do OP swap, you will be pleased.
For 4 track machines, 5050, RS-15xx, X-1/200, B77, etc, all have, again, potentials. My personal favorites are B77 and X-2000M (not the R).
To me, it's all about the heads. You choose the heads first then the machine.
but unfortunately not every machine has someone to do the mod for you.
You can never get 4 track heads for BR20... I'd suggest you keep it anyway though.
That machine has real potential. Have someone beef up the power, do OP swap, you will be pleased.
For 4 track machines, 5050, RS-15xx, X-1/200, B77, etc, all have, again, potentials. My personal favorites are B77 and X-2000M (not the R).
To me, it's all about the heads. You choose the heads first then the machine.
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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Tascam BR 20
« on: January 28, 2008, 07:37:53 PM »
Tascam 42's reproduce amp has FET direct coupled at the first stage. The usage of coupling caps is minimal.
On the other hand, if my memory were correct, BR20 is mostly OPs. Yep, I like 42 much better.
Actually this guy in Japan also came to the same conclusion:
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/nekoneko_onsen/folder/117594.html?m=lc&p=2
42 and 52 are probably Tascam's best small 2 track machines, IMHO. Beautiful Woelke heads, good circuit design, solid transport.
I will take them over Otari MX5050 anytime.
No idea about MX-55 though I do have two MX-5050II and one MTR-15. 55 and 5050 are very similar designs?
MX-5050II needs a lot of work to make it sound great, BTW.
I have been doing a lot of mods just for fun. First of all, definitely you do not want to run the wires too long.
Tube amp has its appeal yet I can take transistors just fine. I prefer to have all of the basic things done right.
Most reel decks have awful power supply, for instance. You can bypass this problem with an outboard head amp,
but you will be running into other problems, and still, the basic problem is still there.
Studer A820 and A810 are typical examples. Both machines have the same amps, same heads yet A820 just sounds better.
Why? Not because A820 has a fancy transport, it's because A820 has a slightly better power supply.
Only for playback, the ideal tape project machine for me will be B77/PR99. Beautiful beautiful mechanic parts,
great sounding heads. It has so much space inside, you can put in a super power regulator, redo the head amp,
add in big power caps, swap wires, recap everything, then you will have a killer machine.
Very easy to work on, spare parts are readily available. You never have to worry about screwing up.
On the other hand, if my memory were correct, BR20 is mostly OPs. Yep, I like 42 much better.
Actually this guy in Japan also came to the same conclusion:
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/nekoneko_onsen/folder/117594.html?m=lc&p=2
42 and 52 are probably Tascam's best small 2 track machines, IMHO. Beautiful Woelke heads, good circuit design, solid transport.
I will take them over Otari MX5050 anytime.
No idea about MX-55 though I do have two MX-5050II and one MTR-15. 55 and 5050 are very similar designs?
MX-5050II needs a lot of work to make it sound great, BTW.
I have been doing a lot of mods just for fun. First of all, definitely you do not want to run the wires too long.
Tube amp has its appeal yet I can take transistors just fine. I prefer to have all of the basic things done right.
Most reel decks have awful power supply, for instance. You can bypass this problem with an outboard head amp,
but you will be running into other problems, and still, the basic problem is still there.
Studer A820 and A810 are typical examples. Both machines have the same amps, same heads yet A820 just sounds better.
Why? Not because A820 has a fancy transport, it's because A820 has a slightly better power supply.
Only for playback, the ideal tape project machine for me will be B77/PR99. Beautiful beautiful mechanic parts,
great sounding heads. It has so much space inside, you can put in a super power regulator, redo the head amp,
add in big power caps, swap wires, recap everything, then you will have a killer machine.
Very easy to work on, spare parts are readily available. You never have to worry about screwing up.
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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Sony APR-5000, Otari MX-50 & Otari MTR-15
« on: January 28, 2008, 04:28:29 PM »
I have both APR-5003 and MTR-15. Personally I will rank APR-5003 over MTR-15. MTR-15 has a killer transport, has Dolby HX yet just does not sound as good as APR.
I think the head amp design is the key. APR's curve is absolutely flat at 15ips as well. It runs bias at 400KHz, makes Dolby HX unnecessary.
Parts wise, I actually find out MTR-15 is not any better than APR. Both are super hard to find.
Sure, nothing beats a Studer A820/A80 with butterfly heads... okay okay, Ampex ATR, old Scully are up there.
I think the head amp design is the key. APR's curve is absolutely flat at 15ips as well. It runs bias at 400KHz, makes Dolby HX unnecessary.
Parts wise, I actually find out MTR-15 is not any better than APR. Both are super hard to find.
Sure, nothing beats a Studer A820/A80 with butterfly heads... okay okay, Ampex ATR, old Scully are up there.
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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Tascam BR 20
« on: January 28, 2008, 04:15:56 PM »
Tascam BR 20 is basically the next generation of Tascam 42B. Better transport yet inferior sonic.
The given link has a mistake. BT20 and 42B use the same Woelke heads. They are priced at $180 each from Teac USA.
The given link has a mistake. BT20 and 42B use the same Woelke heads. They are priced at $180 each from Teac USA.
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