Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Album Purchase Question to Tape Project Sales Office

« on: February 15, 2009, 12:35:30 PM »

Doc,

Last year you mentioned that you thought individual tapes may be available for sale after subscriber orders are caught up some time around the end of May or soon thereafter.  Any chance that this is the time?  I would like to purchase the Tape Project album 'Dave Alvin: Blackjack David'.

2

General Discussion / Re: Album Purchase Question

« on: June 14, 2008, 10:21:50 PM »

Hi Dan,

Back in April you mentioned that you thought individual tapes may be available for sale after subscriber orders are caught up some time around the end of May.  Any chance that this is the time?  I would like to purchase the Tape Project album 'Dave Alvin: Blackjack David'.

3

General Discussion / Album Purchase Question to Tape Project Sales Office

« on: April 20, 2008, 12:43:00 PM »

This is to the Tape Project sales office:

Is it possible to purchase a single Tape Project album without a Selective or Charter subscription?  I would like to consider starting out very slowly and make a single album purchase.  If so, can I purchase the Tape Project album 'Dave Alvin: Blackjack David'?  If so what would be the price and estimated shipping cost?  I live in southern California.

Thank you, David Massaro.

4

Tape Tech / Speakers and PreRecorded Tapes

« on: April 17, 2008, 09:01:10 PM »

Hello,

I have been purchasing prerecorded tapes off eBay lately and have found that some tapes play quieter than others.   My deck is a Technics RS-1520.  Some play with a very audible hiss in the background; others play fairly quiet.  I have tried demagnetizing the head and tape path with the Han-D-Mag unit and not much has changed.  What would cause some factory recorded tapes to play quieter than others?  What effect would storing tapes near speakers cause and how far should tapes be kept from the speaker magnet?  My speakers are Klipsch La Scala IIs and I want to be sure I keep my tapes far enough away so as not to degrade my tapes.  Can someone tell me how to store my tapes so that the end of the tape is kept tightly wrapped around the reel?  Lots of questions I know, but I am new to this hobby. 

Thank you,  David Massaro

5

Tape Tech / Re: Technics RS-1520 RP-2422 Tape Head Assembly

« on: March 31, 2008, 10:27:04 AM »

Thanks docb and ironbut.  I do appreciate your recommendations.  I will do what you both have recommended.

Thanks again!!

6

Tape Tech / Re: Technics RS-1520 RP-2422 Tape Head Assembly

« on: March 30, 2008, 03:14:39 PM »

Thanks for the response ironbutt.  From your response I gather that either headblock assembly should work fine assuming the headblock is in good working order.  I will follow your recommended cleaning procedure. 

I looked into the DeOxit 5 and found two types:
1.  'DeoxIT? D5 Spray, 5% solution, flushing action'
2.  'DeoxIT? DN5 Spray, 5%, 163 g, nonflammable, quick dry - non drip and safe on plastics'. 
Is one a better choice over the other? 

I checked on the web links you mentioned to better understand what to look for on the heads.  Is this the web link?
JFR Magnetics http://jrfmagnetics.com/

7

Tape Tech / Technics RS-1520 RP-2422 Tape Head Assembly

« on: March 30, 2008, 11:40:32 AM »

I just picked up a Technics model RS-1520 machine and it came installed with the RP-2422 tape head assembly and also came with what looks to be a new in the box RP-2224 tape head assembly.  The machine is in very nice condition.  I listened to a factory recorded 7 1/2 IPS four track tape with the RP-2422 tape head assembly in place and the sound was poor.  The sound was cutting in and out, sounded muffled and was not pleasant at all to listen to.  I cleaned the RP-2422 heads a couple of times as best I could; still the sound was still poor.  Then I removed the RP-2422 head assembly and installed the RP-2224 tape head assembly.  Now the sound is beautiful.  I have listened to other tapes with the RP-2224 tape head assembly in place and I am super pleased. 

My questions:

1.  Should the RP-2422 tape head assembly be used with factory recorded 7 1/2 IPS four track tape?
2.  The RP-2422 tape head assembly is fairly dirty on the inside where all the wires are connected.  Should I clean this area and the connectors with an electronics cleaner like the Precision Electronics Cleaner from Radio Shack?  Could this cleaner damage the heads?
3.  Anyone know what the differences are in these two tape head assemblies?
4.  If the RP-2422 is bad and needs attention, is there some place I could send it for repairs or a 'tune up'?

I am new to this forum and new to using reel to reel tapes and any help and advice would be appreciated.

Thank you, David Massaro