reel to reel

My Otari (the 4 channel model) is a little more "open" sounding than my 1520. But I like the 1520 due to the ease of theading the tape. The 1520 is the most user friendly deck I have.

The J-Corders are pretty slick. I would assume they are well sorted out and come with both head blocks and have a good warranty.

Peter

Lately, a lot of people tout the Technics 1500, but ask the folks who own them, and what they paid for modding-repairing them, and the numbers will stagger you. The Technics 1500 is no simple machine, is quirky and being that there are few who can put them back in shape, expect to pay dearly.

Simple answers, TEAC 3300 in various flavors, even 2-track. 3340, 3440, and another very beautiful machine, but might be costly, as it is rare, and who could ever find parts for, is the Fostex E3/E4 machines.

Akai's were nice, and common, but again, all of these machines have little to no support via company. make sure you know qhat your buying before you open your wallet. Mark

This site might be of help:

www.angelfire.com/electronic2/

Please disregard my previous post - - the link is no longer good. So sorry - - will try to find the right link and repost.

I don't think I could live without reel to reel. Most all decks made in the late 60's, 70 and 80 were well made machines. Teac, Akai, Sony, Revox, Technics, Crown, Otari, Pioneer, all these machines were well made. Akai used glass ferrite heads which seem to never wear out. My Sony TC-755 from 1974 is used daily, and show absoultely no sign of head wear from the ferrite and ferrite heads. I have had quite a few Teacs which I enjoyed and also a Revox B77 and A77. It is really hard to go wrong with any of these. The only machine I really didn't care much for was my Akai GX 625. It sounded fine, performed well but didn't seem to be as strong running as my Teac 3300s or my Sony TC-755. My Revox B77 required motor repairs when it was only five years old, but that was probably an exception. If you purchase one, try to get one from the original owner who knows the machines history. Also, keep in mind that Otari,Revox,Pioneer and Teac still support their old machines. Sony, Crown, Dokorder, Technics, Akai, etc do not.