There are quite a few r2r tapes of the RCA golden age albums, but not many of the Mercury’s. At least that I’ve seen. Wonder how they sound compared to the LP’s?
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.
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Presently, I'm enjoying a new tape I just made, and recalling a story about a well heeled audiophile who could afford just about anything he wanted. This was some time ago when audiophiles were bad mouthing computer audio. Him and his club got together every week. If I remember correctly, he had "Joule Electra" amp and pre; at that time he was comparing his vinyl collection he had recently archived to the PC library, to direct from the TT. Once he discovered that he couldn't tell the difference between playing a record and listening to the computer playback, he quit spinning vinyl; instead, he selected the evening listening session from the PC library, and settled back into his listening chair to enjoy. At the next club meeting; "Well John, how did your audition with the XYZ cartridge go"? Rather than tell everyone he'd been listening to computer playback, and had not taken the time to audition "XYZ" cartridge, he faked it. I'm listening to the reel that I selected, and recorded from the PC library; it's so much easier than the old way of running back and forth from the TT to the deck. I don't think I can tell the difference between CD and LP, much less the difference between spinning a record and hearing it from the TT direct. while most of what was selected is vinyl, there are also some CD's in the mix. Just recently I posted a thread asking if others could tell the difference between TT direct, and PC playback; they answered they couldn't, and neither can I. Sometime ago, we went round and round on the PC forum about the best way to archive LP's; and "Stereophile" had articles on the subject, plus, they even selected the best computer cards for interfacing the transition from LP to PC library. There is absolutely no doubt, that if done right, you can not distinguish between listening to a record from your PC or TT. BTW, appreciate recommendations for blank tape. Enjoy the music. |
For me it was a two track, high speed (7.5/15.0 ips) Revox B77 MKII. Selling this piece of HiFi legend was the most stupid thing I have ever done. Not only did it look superb in my living room, it also solicited a lot of questions/interest, performed flawlessly and sounded great. Really wish I had kept it! |
mgattmch, I know you do; I've never heard nothing but good things about that deck. But it's good that you can get another one, and blank tape is no problem, like it was for a couple of minutes; I just ordered some. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7yeoisl8nA Good luck. |
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