Reel to reel

This has been a wonderful thread to read.  I have always loved R2R's, now I have a better idea as to why.  Thanks to all for both the technical and non-technical opinions and explanations.

Orpheus10, I have purchased a completely refurbed Otari MX5050Bii2 deck to enjoy while I refurbish my Old Faithful but aging Technics RS-1506US.  I would be most grateful if you could pass along your contact info for the good people at Panasonic.

Btw:  The gentlemen I purchased the Otari from is a pro and very approachable.  He does about 2 Otari R2R's a month.  My timing was perfect as he used 3 decks to make one pristine one, swapping parts between the 3 to make a near perfect machine.  I don't why he was so nice to me.  I'd guess it's partly due to the passion he has for refurbishing these machines.     And the asking price wasn't outrageous for such a prime example of this wonderful machine.

If anyone would like his contact info, let me know.  He has an account on the Reverb website.

Enjoy the ride while you can.  :)

Gusser, I don't recall any specific person; just contact them, and someone will lead you to where you want to go.

That Otari is a perfect deck for home use; especially when you have someone close who can work on it and get parts when you need them.

Using the Otari at 15ips, the recordings were as good as vinyl but never better. How can it get better or more info from the source? Every room at an audio show that played R2R always had a Tape Project tape, not a recording from an album. I think I heard a live recording onto R2R with very nice results.
If I wanted to record my vinyl albums today, I would get something like Pure Vinyl and record them to my computer.

"Using the Otari at 15ips, the recordings were as good as vinyl but never better. How can it get better or more info from the source?"

I assume that statement is directed to me. Since I operate in a vacuum, I assumed everyone got these same results. I also considered Otari to be better than my deck; "It ain’t necessarily so".

This statement has been directed to me so many times, that it’s not good enough to just restate my answer; consequently, I have to find answers. First, we must examine how my deck is different from all the rest.

I have all "Black Gate" electrolytic capacitors in my deck, and there are quite a few. What are Black Gate capacitors? Let us try "Google" for the answer to that question.


https://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/black_gate_caps.html


https://www.partsconnexion.com/blackgate-electrolytic-capacitors.html


Could it be that all of those "Black Gate" capacitors in my deck, that are not in other decks make such a difference? While I knew they made a difference, you guys have confirmed just how big of a difference they make.

I hope that audiophile tape movement is gaining momentum. It will always probably be a limited number, but if it is a very stable - it's good. Get in touch with Germans and Japanese, they got some stuff, privileged Americans do too. Where do you think Flemming Rasmussen of Gryphon got his master tape dubs ? One reason why there are no better transistor amps than Gryphon.