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Reel to Reel tape decks


Reel to reel tape decks; I recall going with my wife, in the early 70's, in search for a new washer and dryer. This was when "Tipton", a major appliance store sold everything, including reel to reel tape decks. They were just flat out beautiful; I could picture one in my luxurious listen room done up in mahogany; tables, chairs, woodwork, everything. (in my dreams)

            http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/5/9409563/reel-to-reel-tape-retro-audio-trend


As a matter of fact, there was a Pioneer deck just like the one you see pictured on this link, at that time; presently I have a Technics 2track RS 1500.

I noticed they mentioned a Teac X-2000R. Sorry folks, I don't recommend that one. I bought mine new, and it lasted for a good while, but it was not repair friendly. Even if you get a new deck, it has to be repair friendly; it's not like the old days when you could find a tech to put your specs back in harmony.

I also owned an Akai; it took months to get parts when it was new. How long do you think it would take now?

Technics people were a dream to work with; after I bought my used reel, I called them for new parts, no problem; I bought everything I could replace, that's why mine is still up to snuff. Plus it's repair friendly; I worked on mine a time or two. I'm a tech, not specifically a reel tech, but I do have the repair manual.

Inna, you evidently did your homework; I wouldn't consider anything other than a 2 track, Otari, or Technics like the one in the picture, and Studer with out a doubt, but if you can not get it repaired don't buy it, what ever it is.

That Tascam sure looks pretty; I would buy it new, if the price was right. That $200, pre recorded tape is no good if your machine is not 100% up to specs.

You can record, and playback on your own machine, and get results that are 100% good, but you're taking a chance when you get outside tape that's prerecorded.

For sure, a reel to reel can top any turntable; good luck, have fun; and as I always say;


Enjoy the music.




orpheus10
enliten
44 posts
 
Interesting that nobody talks about tape life/management/degaussing/erasure/printhrough....

I worked at a major studio in Chicago for a little while when I was a kid. It was all a BIG DEAL there. I remember degaussing an old Ampex 1/2" mastering deck and having the engineer yell at me: "what are you doing! You MUST do that properly or you'll ruin our master tapes!"

Maintenance of the decks and rolling the master tapes was 1/2 of what I did there.

Life span of tape is quite finite, along with the gradual degradation over time from stray fields. How do tape head audiophiles deal with that? The studio had a climate/humidity controlled room for storage!

The Ampex and Studer machines they had there were quite amazing machines.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

I am religious in regard to degaussing; after every recording I degauss the tape heads. Recorded reels must be far enough away not to be affected. I clean tape heads with a cotton swab after every use. I have rubber cleaner for the pinch rollers; it not only cleans them, but it also keeps them new.

If you only play tapes without recording, there is no need to degauss as far as I know, but you still have to clean the heads; which is also very easy.

For reasons I'm unaware of, I never had an aging problem; maybe it's because I record over what's already been recorded; and the way I do this, is to first record with no signal, that erases whatever was previously on the tape; then it's like a new tape.

If I failed to mention anything else that should be done, you can "Enliten" me.


Enjoy the music.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Jnovak,My best friend owned a Sony 10 inch reel to reel, when I see that reel, I think of the times we had at the parties he gave with music from the reel. Sometime we just listened to the reel; he's no longer with us and I miss him.

I've got a Technichs RS 1500 2 Track, and there's a thread on reels that will put you back into the game; I'll dial it up; in the meantime, check this out;


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBSWlt8Ua4I


This is the RS 1500 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEKBu_dqwsM&t=820s


Enjoy the music.
   


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