Reel to Reel information, user tips and tricks...

I love a GOOD valve pre. Noisy.... YUK

FWIW just about any competent tube tape head preamp will be quieter than the tape itself, unless you are using low inductance heads.

unless you are using low inductance heads.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

Is there an option? I thought there were a few different type heads.
I never got that far into it.. I did have one much like the Decware, just not tube rectified.. Bias pot was used the same way, vary the bias..

I know vinyl is fun, I know, it’s ALL fun.. I would really like to see a GOOD resurgence, and a resurrection of Reel to Reel WITHOUT a floor stomping price tag, along with it..

What is FWIW?


Thanks..and Regards

would agree with atmosphere on the noise.

Yes, have heard the decware head unit several times. Its pretty nice.

regarding noise, would also suggest using vishay bulk foil VSR types as your load resistor for terminating the signal from the heads.

I've used Vishay a long time.  They have a cap that I use in XO builds when I do one. They are rated at 160 or 200 v. Low but one of the best sounding for mids and highs I've used for the money..

The resistors, are a given, they are the best, the inside of Mcintosh, and my Nord buffer boards are full of them. Cool lookin' little guys too. Hard to solder for me.. I have to be careful.. Little soft tails...your talking about..

I read an article with "WHY" the load resistor, in parallel, makes no difference. in series yes, make sense? I mean its NOT in the signal path, it's shunting to ground, YES, NO? if it were in series, Yes I could see, it would be passing a signal through the resistor.. Am I wrong?

You've heard the ZP3 with RtR and direct head tap? I haven't heard it, I'm taking a chance. BUT I looked over the schemo... VERY basic, short path, HIGH CAP, very good transformer, and high horsepower, for a pre 60 watt. Tube rectified. US built, and pure Point to Point, easy front to rear layout. A lot of time went into the second/third series of this Phono stage.

Which RtR did you hear them with? You remember?

I haven't even gotten an ETA from them, my ZP3 

I've done a couple. HH Scott, MX110. Both were potted, for on the fly BIAS tweak from 47K to 600 ohm, or anywhere in between.. Different tape type, ay? NAB to IEC. I'm just getting back into it.. READ READ READ.. Story of my life..mechanic...

I wouldn't be doing any of this if the gear hadn't got nicked.. UH...
All the gear stored in my shop.. Gettin' there though. :-)

Thanks everyone, Happy Turkey Day. Mine is cooking as I type, 21 pounder....STUFFED...5-6 hour cook..

Regards

@oldhvymec glad to hear that you're bringing your RtR back into service and adding a really sweet Decware tapehead preamp...it's a beauty! I hope it brings you excitement and renewed enthusiasm for the hobby.

The idea of wiring the playback head straight onto a modern tapehead preamp and bypassing the RtR 40+ years old solid state internal electronics is a popular one amongst tapeheads. Here's a few highly regarded tapehead preamp to lust over:

http://doshiaudio.com/portfolio-items/v3-0-tape-stage/
https://www.merrillaudio.net/product/master-tape-head-preamp/
http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/222_Tape_Preamp.htm
https://bottlehead.com/product/tube-repro/

I know Atmosphere and King-Cello also makes some really nice tapehead preamps, I know I'm missing a few nice ones.

For blank tapes, there's ATR magnetics and Recording the Masters if you're into recording. Really high quality stuff!

For newly released music on RtR tape, check out my post on this thread, it's the last post on page 5. Some of these recording will knock your socks off.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/why-no-interest-in-reel-to-reel-if-you-re-looking-for-the-ult...
   
Drop me a PM anytime you want to discuss tape.