Reel to reel

How do you quantify this phenomenon? There is frequency response, wow and flutter, distortion and noise; but where is this tape width thing quantified?

Width allows for a wider track, which means the head can have more output. So you get lower noise and greater headroom both at the same time. Higher tape speed allows for greater modulation as well and also gives you greater bandwidth. These things are quite measurable- it should be no surprise they are audible as well.

orpheus10

We have been discussing an aspect of R2R that only those who have had considerable experience are aware of ... Without a doubt, this takes you beyond the most expensive cartridge, TT, tone arm, phono pre combination. While you need all of that to record to the reel; after it's recorded, the reel takes you a step further.

If you really want to know what reel-to-reel can do, record your own music live. If all you do is dub from LP, you  have no idea what tape can offer: You're limited by the quality of the LP, and the small amount of noise and distortion that tape will inherently add to it.

@luvrockin .

And all of this started as a simple question.

I have to ask.... Are you any wiser now and has your question truly been answered?

I just down-loaded 4 of the 15 IPS reels that I had recorded to my hard-drive. They really sound good on play back, and I don't have to get up and put another reel on.

- I just down-loaded 4 of the 15 IPS reels that I had recorded to my hard-drive. They really sound good on play back, and I don’t have to get up and put another reel on.

It also saves wear on your repro head, as well as the rest of the transport.

But personally I can’t see why you would want to use R2R to record your LPs. At 15 IPS, you’ll need 2 pancakes of 1.5 mil tape or 1 pancake of 1 mil tape for each LP. Each pancake is GBP35 over in the UK (presumably about USD 40-45). That buys you 2 x 45 rpm QRP pressings of every album.

I do get R2R as a concept - I have 5 studio machines - 1/2 inch 2 tr Studer A820, 1/4 inch 2 tr Studer A807/II, 2 x Sony APR 5000 series and an Otari MTR12. But I play studio masters or dubs. The difference then becomes compelling, although the outlay is very substantial.