Reel to Reel information, user tips and tricks...

fuzztone890 posts11-20-2020 7:36pmNever heard of it before?
Who you crappin’?
Even the PAT-4 I built from kit had a tape head input.

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https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZP3.htm

No crappin', honest Abe!

Yea tape head input (loop) in a LOT of the older units, Fisher, Mac Marantz. Pat II, III, IIII, HKs.

We don't want the tape head going through the preamp, that way for playback. We can use any AUX input other than an MC, phono input.

We use a modified valve(tube) phono preamp, with a "pot" that can vary the bias from 47k to 600ohm. we still load the TT section in a separate box, step up and cart loading, BUT now we can dig the goodies out of the tape via bias tweak, from the External Phono/Tape preamp..

This unit is a 5 valve, point to point, build.. pretty impressive..Noise is controlled by layout, first and foremost. THEN by VERY short, silver/teflon wire construct.. 2" max... great thinkin' 60 WATTs. It is a powerhouse for a preamp..

All valve rectified, It's gonna sound "TUBIE", YUP..

I jerked the preamp phono section out of a MX110, it worked pretty good too. There is all kinds of ways to do this.. I like Decware, Kinda Zen. :-)

Regards

https://www.erhard-audio.com/Nina.html

Here is a second one that I am NOT familiar with. They currently are not in production, No idea why, cases? The only thing you can't get unless they are having boards/soldering issues overseas.. Nasty thought..

Decware is US bases...

Regards

Besides the obvious sound quality angle of Decware’s all single-ended triode tube design, infinitely adjustable bias has cool factor written all over it.

If you are looking for blank tape source, a good one to consider it tapetape.com

they sell single pass reels and pancakes from several manufacturers.

You can get tape of all sorts (cassette, 1/4", 1/2", 1") from ATR Magnetics, the last remaining US supplier of audio tape
www.atrtape.com

When storing tape, its better in the attic than the basement! Get some packets of SilicaGel, and put a couple in the plastic bag with the reel of tape when you store it. This will help to prevent shedding.

You can use a toaster oven to bake tape that is shedding if its not too far gone. Generally set on the lowest setting (about 140 degrees F) for about 2-3 hours, and if that did the trick the tape won't need baking again for months.