Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Obvious Problem?

« on: June 13, 2009, 08:36:38 PM »

O.k. A little more about the player.  This player was modified(sort of).  It had direct outputs from the head for use with a repro amp.  I have since switched it back.  I will be switching it back again for a repro amp(the same one that went with it:)  Long story short, it is a custom David Berning design, and I am waiting for him to go through it as it is older, and probably not functioning.  Here are a couple pictures.  Sorry about the blurry head shot but took several and apparently my camera will not pull focus that close.  The second picture is of the typical difference in output.

http://s442.photobucket.com/albums/qq150/kriskosiba/?action=view&current=tapeplayer003.jpg&newest=1
http://s442.photobucket.com/albums/qq150/kriskosiba/?action=view&current=tapeplayer004.jpg&newest=1

2

General Discussion / Re: Obvious Problem?

« on: June 13, 2009, 06:53:18 PM »

Thanks for the replies.  I apologize for not giving more specifics.  The RT-701 is a NON reversing player so I do have to physically flip the tape.  That said, I am not the original owner of the machine, as it was given to me along with a huge collection of prerecorded tapes.  There is some head wear, but by looking at the example in the beginners guide it is minimal.  It is weak with almost all tapes, an when flipped it is almost always higher on the left.  All the tapes I listen to are prerecorded.  I have a seemingly very cheap Magnavox player that I got as well.  I have put the same tapes on that machine, and while the sonics are severely lacking in comparison, the channel weakness is basically gone and the channel balance was much more "locked" in.  Another thing which I have found peculiar is I have about 80 2 tracks, mostly(about sixty) are RCA "shaded dog" tapes, and though I have read that the left channel will be the strongest, most of the time the VU meter barely even registers when playing those tapes.  Many of you may be familiar with these recordings so you may know if that is normal for these to perform like this on a 4 track.  Thanks

Kris

3

General Discussion / Obvious Problem?

« on: June 13, 2009, 11:17:23 AM »

Hi,

I am trying to trouble shoot a possibly obvious problem with my Pioneer RT-701.  When playing a tape (the first side) the left channel VU meter always reads weaker than the right (also the image is off center to the right) When I flip the tape the left channel VU meter reads stronger than the right channel, and the image is shifted to the left.  I have thoroughly cleaned the tape path and heads, and am wondering, is this strictly an alignment problem?  I have had people say just keep cleaning the head because, once set the heads don't really drift over time(I guess that is assuming they were properly set up the first time) the head is still just dirty.  If this is strictly an alignment problem, does it require special screw drivers?  Is it even something that can be done with out taking it to a tech?  I am sure some machines are easier than others to align.  Thanks.

Kris

4

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Collection of Tapes

« on: January 13, 2009, 11:57:09 AM »

hi all,  I just got back from CES, and was very pleased to see that there were quite a few people playing tape.  I also was able to go to the J-corder room which was interesting.  Some beatiful technics in there.  In regards to selling some of the 2 tracks, I actually may look at selling off some of my doubles, triples, etc.  I counted right at 600 Barclay Crocker recordings alone.  of which there are quite a few doubles.  I will start getting a list together.

Kris

5

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Collection of Tapes

« on: January 05, 2009, 03:12:50 PM »

Thanks for the heads up on the sticky thread.  I have gotten a decent crash course on tape care, but this really helped explain the "why" in the maintenance.  One thing that piqued my interest was on the calibration of the machine itself.  I have a Pioneer RT-701, which I find to be a well made machine, but the electronics I feel are old, and really have no reference or baseline of operation.  I am waiting on a custom tube head amp(can't wait for that:) But it begs the question, that while I am not really concerned with updating the internal audio electronics, who repairs and services the mechanicals of these machines that truly still "knows" how to work on these machines. thanks.Kris

6

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: Collection of Tapes

« on: January 05, 2009, 07:22:36 AM »

Hi,
Thanks.  Yes this was part of a private collection.  There were actually about 1000 more.  These were owned by an older gentleman who was moving and didn't listen to them much anymore, so decided it wasn't worth the trouble to try to bring them.  They were his lifes collection dating back to the fifties.  As far as storage, They are in a basement who's mean temp is about 60-65, with lower humidity.   One thing I have definitely found is that by in large rock music as a whole is not even close to the jazz and classical in recording quality in both 3 3/4 and 7 1/2 ips.  Its sad really. 

Kris

7

Prerecorded Tapes / Collection of Tapes

« on: January 04, 2009, 10:46:43 PM »

Hi all,
thought this might be of some interest.  I recently acquired a HUGE collection of pre-recorded tapes approximately 4000+.  Mostly classical.  Very large B-C collection as well.  I will begin the tedious process of cataloging the collection when I return from CES, I have had it for several months, but have just been to interested in listening to it.  Here are some pictures.  I can tell you this, there are some incredible treasures in this collection.  I have spent countless hours listening to these and have concluded that there is not a more musical format.  Simply amazing how good they can be.
http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq150/kriskosiba/Tapes/DSCN3277.jpg
http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq150/kriskosiba/Tapes/DSCN3276.jpg
http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq150/kriskosiba/Tapes/DSCN3275.jpg
http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq150/kriskosiba/Tapes/DSCN3274.jpg

Kris