Choosing which RTR?

[OCreel]

Hi all, I am new to this realm and am considering getting my feet wet.  My stereo guy warned me about getting into this, that it was a slippery slope of no return, unfortunately I'm not good at taking advice, giving it only.

I have been learning all I can over the last few days even talking to Dan and have an idea where I want to go.  I already have a very nice high end system, digital and vinyl so this would be one more obsession.  It seems that the ATR 100's are at the top of the list based on performance and price.  While I would love one $$ says no.

Next choice, Otari MTR 12 or 15 with the 15 being one I will probably choose unless someone has a better idea.  I plan to do the direct path signal output to and a Seduction in the future.  Obviously obtaining a used unit in good condition is imperative. 

I am open to any suggestions on other units also.  At this point I will stop and ask your opinions.

[jcmusic]

Hi all, I am new to this realm and am considering getting my feet wet.  My stereo guy warned me about getting into this, that it was a slippery slope of no return, unfortunately I'm not good at taking advice, giving it only.

I have been learning all I can over the last few days even talking to Dan and have an idea where I want to go.  I already have a very nice high end system, digital and vinyl so this would be one more obsession.  It seems that the ATR 100's are at the top of the list based on performance and price.  While I would love one $$ says no.

Next choice, Otari MTR 12 or 15 with the 15 being one I will probably choose unless someone has a better idea.  I plan to do the direct path signal output to and a Seduction in the future.  Obviously obtaining a used unit in good condition is imperative. 

I am open to any suggestions on other units also.  At this point I will stop and ask your opinions.

You might consider an Otari MX5050 BII-2 as well with the direct out and Seduction.

Jay

[ironbut]

Hi OCreel (btw we use our real names here. You can insert your name into your signature in the user control panel),

If you've talked to Dan/Doc already, I'd trust his judgment. He may not look like the smartest guy in the world, but he has this stuff wired.

If you're completely new to reel to reels, I'd suggest checking around your area to find a good tech. Many cities have a few guys around that specialize in studio equipment and have a good depth of knowledge on the different tape machines. Some may be willing to guide you in finding a good example of the machine you're looking for with the understanding that they'll be the one who will do whatever needs to be done to bring it up to spec. Since they're the ones working on these machines (and they all need some maintenance from time to time) they probably have a working relationship with the studio machines in their area.
You'd do well to establish a good relationship with one of these guys.

If you post where it is that you live, one of us may be able to steer you in the right direction.

[docb]

He may not look like the smartest guy in the world,

Hmm, I get that a lot. Maybe it's time to set down my Bud and turn my John Deere cap around. OK, OK, I'll put on a shirt too.

[OCreel]

Dan/Doc (do you have a preference?) has been an incredible help!!!  Two long phone calls and I think/hope he'll still talk to me in the future after I talked his ear off.  Maybe one of you should buy him a John Deere cap with ear flaps so no one will know if his ear was talked off.  I'm so sorry that I gave the sharks an opportunity to attack you.  A rough crowd here I would say.  Thanks for everyone's advice it is really appreciated.

Sorry about not getting my name listed but that has been corrected, it is Art by the way.  I live in Laguna Hills, CA, which is in South Orange County near Irvine, Mission Viejo, John Wayne Airport, half way between LA and San Diego.  I would definitely like to find a tech down here so if you folks have any suggestions I am listening.  Cheers!

[MylesAstor]

He may not look like the smartest guy in the world,

Hmm, I get that a lot. Maybe it's time to set down my Bud and turn my John Deere cap around. OK, OK, I'll put on a shirt too.

Yeah and hide the ax :)

Myles

[ironbut]

Hey Art,

You might check with Charlie Bolis at Vintage Recording Services in Sherman Oaks.
I haven't got any direct experience with his work but he came highly recommended on the Ampex list for Studer work.

I don't have a link for him but here's his phone #
   818-429-3334

[OCreel]

Thanks Steve!  He is north of me about 70 miles.  If anyone has any recs. further south they would be appreciated.

[oneobgyn]

Perhaps you can call Phillip O'Hanlon in Dana Point (On A Higher Note). He has many R2R contacts.  949 488 3004
BTW Art I am originally from Laguna Hills. Moved to the SF Bay Area in 1993

[OCreel]

Thanks for the contact, I'll give Phillip a call week.

It's a small world isn't it.  I would not mind living in your neck of the woods, it is quite nice up there, very different than SoCal.

[mittg]

The more I read the more tentative I get about which machine to buy. When I was acollege student (70's) I had an Ampex R2R and recorded played whatever. 30+ yrs later and I cannot get by the reading to educate myself phase. I have a few prerecorded tapes and they are 4 track 2 channel. I do not know if I will ever be able to afford a tape project tape but I would like to. So I am looking at Otari, mx5050 BII, techniques rs1500 2 track, Technics 1700 4 track, Otari mx5050 mk IV 2 etc. Then I read the 1700 cannot play the tape project tapes w/o modification. This seems like a nice machine for my pre records but if a mod is needed will it then play both types of tape?  Can the 2 tracks play a 4 track? I like the idea of a deck laying flat like the Otari mk IV but is it as good as the otari BII? I have read the sight for beginners. If I buy a 2 track machine will it make play my 4 track tapes? Help

[TomR]

The Otari's MX5050's and the Technics RS1500 and RS1520 have 4 track heads, which you can switch to easily for playback of your current tapes. The RS1520 is also switchable between NAB and IEC equalization, which means you can use an RS1520 to play Tape Project tapes without modification, which is not true of the RS1500. Don't know for sure about the Otari, but you can check out the specs online. The only thing I don't like about my RS1520 is that I think it is a bit difficult to thread, but practice should make perfect, you should watch Ironbut thread a tape.

[ironbut]

Hi Gerry,
Tom's correct regarding the Technics machines. The 1700 is the only one that is 1/4 track only and they command some pretty steep prices also (they're rather rare and sought after by collectors compared to the 1500,1506 (which differs in it being a 1/4 track recording machine rather than 1/2 track recording like the 1500,1520).

The Otari's are an excellent choice and given the current used market, are a flat out bargain for the machine you get. All of the 5050bll series have 1/2 track and 1/4 track playback facilities with the exception of the later mk4 model on which the 1/4 track playback was an option (it's a good idea to ask the seller if it has 3 or 4 heads just to be sure an earlier model hasn't been modified). It has switchable NAB/IEC equalization (you need IEC to playback the Tape Project tapes properly) and is a very solid machine.

In regards to machine position, some folks have experienced some problems with using the Technics machines laying flat but that's something that may be a matter of adjustments.
The Otari's did come in models that were designed to be laid flat but if you were to change your mind somewhere down the line, you wouldn't be able to stand one up without some major modifications. You could do what a number of the members here do and mount the machine on a stand that tilts the machine back (with just about any machine actually). Larry Toy has a couple of stands which were made for guitar amps which are very nice for the money and look fantastic in his system.

BTW,.. you can't play 1/4 track tapes on a 1/2  track machine. The two "flip side" channels will be reproduced backwards.

[Teeg]

  Like Tom I find my 1506 a bit difficult to thread, especially so on the take-up side getting the tape properly wound on the hub of that reel. Most of my tapes get 5~6 feet of leader added, which seems like quite a bit, but the Technics tape path eats up most of that.

 How about some videos of tape threading? If anyone is particularly good at it, I'd like to see how its *properly* done.

Tj

[mittg]

Thank You. I feel alot better. Time to shop.