Interesting thread, I was looking to get into R2R's last year. I read quite a bit and the one place that seemed to have good modern info was the Tape Project. from what I have read the Studers are fantastic rigs but they also say the Otari is no slowch mostly it seems to be a where you live and what's available to buy and get serviced. Also to add another that seems to get a lot of praise is the technic RS 1500-1506 series. I would recommend you look into bypassing the internal electronics (audio section) and have your heads wired to a dedicated pre-amp. bottle head has a rather nice one from what I have read for not to much money as an example. Then its down to what has the best transport and heads available. NAB, speed's are other things to consider.
Studer vs Otari
What are the main differences that translate into sound quality differences ? I heard that Studer transport is incomparable. I am talking about Studer A810 and A807. As for Otari, I don't know which one is best. The price difference is big, a few thousand dollars. Yes, I know that Studer A80 is even better but that will always be out of reach. Not going to buy anything right now, just thinking that maybe Otari would be enough for not the highest resolution system.
What do you in the know think ? I am a tape guy not really a vinyl guy so of course I want the best, but I may not need the best.
What do you in the know think ? I am a tape guy not really a vinyl guy so of course I want the best, but I may not need the best.
- ...
- 13 posts total
I don't think Studer plays back quater track pre-recorded tapes but Otari does. Unless of course you have a custom headblock for Studer. Yes, outboard playback head pre-amp. That would be another project. I would probably start this by asking Ralph of Atmashere or Vladimir of Lamm to make me a tube one. Technics is excellent too. I would ship the deck for service if I had to, no problem. |
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end/140503-best-tape-machine-why.html plenty of info on gearslutz about tape machines and tape |
I own a Technics RS-1500 and an Otari 4 track MX 5050 that comes in two pieces. Since I've owned a number of reel to reel decks, I see things a lot of people don't see; like tape handling for example; the more expensive Otari is a beauty to behold, the tape moves silently without a sound as do all of the most expensive decks, but it's extremely complex because it's a "professional" machine. The Technics is reliable and easy to work on, I replaced all the capacitors in mine with "Black Gates", and I also replaced all of the transistors; quite naturally I get superior audio. Since the Otari is "quarter track" and the Technics is half track, comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges; the half track naturally sounds superior. I don't care what brand I got, I wouldn't want anything less than a half track. In regard to your question, although I've never owned a Studer, from what I know, that's the one to get, but I'm more than satisfied with my Technics. |
Both Studer and Otari have only XLR balanced connections, something that would give me a headache and additional expenses. Neither my phono stage nor my amp has XLRs. Using even the best adapters, like Purist Audio, is not so good, Jensen transformers should be better but still would degrade the sound. I would not have this problem with Technics, it certainly would be the least expensive way to get into this. I would both seek out master dubs and record myself from vinyl, and even from cd player from time to time. Most of the time I listen to compilations with some notable exceptions and I don't enjoy moving the needle every 5-10 minutes. |
- 13 posts total