2. analog
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Why Not Bring Back Analog, Reel to Reel Tape

I know, The Tape Project is doing so but in a very expensive way, mostly limited to oldies. Since there are many current issues on LP, why not reel. Reel, done properly can beat LP any day. This is borne out by comparison of the Barclay-Crocker tapes to the LP equilvent in there day. Two track, quarter inch at 7.5 ips can blow LP's away if properly mastered. I've heard the Tape Project stuff at the CES and it is hard to beat, especially if you are using tubes all the way.
buconero117
jsman
246 posts
 
I would agree with you as for the time part, but for the best sound the analog tape is hard to beat.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
10-12-08: Jsman
I would agree with you as for the time part, but for the best sound the analog tape is hard to beat.
Yes, we actually have no argument here. If one were able to buy open reel 7.5ips direct real time copies of the master tape, and the copy was on a high quality high output low noise, minimal shedding, highly polished oxide on polyester backing, or better yet, on ferrochrome, the sound would probably blow you away.

On top of that, turntables have gotten crazy in price, complexity, and close tolerances to achieve a good setup. I posit that a $2K-$3K open reel tape machine--playing tapes of the quality I described above--would sound noticeably better than a 180g audiophile pressing on a $30K turntable rig, especially if you're including the phono stage, cartridge, and platform isolation in the total cost.
jaytea
78 posts
 
If I want to get a R2R player in the range of 2K-3K , what would you recommend?
Thanks
ajahu
306 posts
 
Studer 807, 810. Absolut wonderful gears.
jsman
246 posts
 
10-12-08 I would agree with you as for the time part, but for the bes ...

Well I have a subscription to the TP tapes, and I assure you that they are the best source my system has ever seen. That was a big reason for getting them, all the time, money, and effort into the system trying to get it to sound as good as it can get. Well the only way that will happen is if you put the best possible source into it!!
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