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Reel to Reel uses -

My wife and I love to entertain.  It never ceases to surprise me how many will walk over to my stereo and stare at my Reel to Reel tape deck.  Some under the age of 35, will ask what it is? Others want to know why I have it, and what do I use it for?  Of course I answer their questions, but now it makes we wonder how others use their machines?  I have been following a couple of high end blogs that I really enjoy and see that one gentlemen uses his machine to play master tape copies.  I do this as well, but have no where near the selection that he does.  I make copies of my favorite LP's to play when guests are over, and also make my own master tapes using a couple of neuman's microphones.  I record small jazz trios and solo artists straight to the machine.  People are amazed at how 'real' these tapes sound.  My main reel to reel is a Pioneer RT-1050 high speed half track.  I have a second just like it that I use for the above mentioned site recordings.  I also have a ReVox B-77, a Sony TC-765, and a Crown 822, all half track machines.  Anyone out there making your own masters?

Norman
normansizemore
normansizemore OP
601 posts
 
Inna,
I suppose e differences that I notice are not so much with the Studer sounding better than the Otari ( some may disagree).  It's just the feel of using the machine.  It's silky smooth at every touch, and the engament has more finesse. That said, the Otari's while not as smooth handling have a sterling  reputation as excellent machines.
Norman

inna
7,355 posts
 
I am glad that there are still many enthusiasts of RTR decks. I hope, this is going to be my next big audiophile project. Otari would probably be more than enough, though Studer sounds very appealing. I think, I heard that Studer also has legendary quality and longevity heads.
Dream system - open reel deck, amps, speakers, cables. And that's it.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I have had my eye on reel to reel since I was a kid.  With the introduction of the tape project a few years ago, the cost of their tapes and the expense of a machine to play those tapes, I didn't think I would be able to participate. 

I probbaly looked for one of those machines on audiogon every day - and was able to pick up a modded (to play tape project tapes) Revox B77, Mk II (thanks, Scar) last week.  The machine is a pefect specimen and did not break the bank.  I ordered an Opus 3 tape and listened to 15ips 2 track IEC for the first time on my system and was totally floored.  There is nothing like it.  I never thought I would ever consider spending $300-$400 or more on one tape with just a dozen or so tracks but when you hear the live performance in your litening room, you will smile like you haven't since prom night.  My vinyl and digital sound awesome but this is just a different plane.  I cannot recommend reel to reel highly enough.  
normansizemore OP
601 posts
 
cerrot,
I have a B77 series I.  How were you able to get the IEC eq profile?  ReVox is standard with NAB.  Glad to hear you're enjoying your machine.  Record your most listened to vinyl with it, so that you don't have to get up from your chair every 15-20 min!  Also, do this.. take your favorite CD and tape it with the ReVox, then play it back and tell me how far your jaw drops.  =)  

Norman
ct0517's avatar
ct0517
2,041 posts
 
How were you able to get the IEC eq profile?  ReVox is standard with NAB
. 

for information. - Instructions sent to me for doing this with my Studer. with some mods might work on Revox.  

**********************************************

The controls on the left side key pad involved in toggling
between NAB and IEC are the "adj" (which you push in gently with
the point of a ballpoint pen), "Shift", "LAP/channel", and "down" and "up".

Press the adj with the pen and then press the shift key and channel key. some number will show up in the LED. Holding the shift key down press the channel button repeatedly until "13" is displayed (the menu choice for EQ).

Let up on the channel key (still holding the shift key down) and it
should display either a "0" or "1". If I recall correctly, "0" is NAB
and "1" is IEC. You can switch between these by using the down and up
key.

When it is displaying the EQ setting you want, let up on the
keys and then press the adj with the pen and it will keep that setting.

**********************************************

Verify with your tech. 


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