2. analog
  3. 1223582143

Why Not Bring Back Analog, Reel to Reel Tape

I know, The Tape Project is doing so but in a very expensive way, mostly limited to oldies. Since there are many current issues on LP, why not reel. Reel, done properly can beat LP any day. This is borne out by comparison of the Barclay-Crocker tapes to the LP equilvent in there day. Two track, quarter inch at 7.5 ips can blow LP's away if properly mastered. I've heard the Tape Project stuff at the CES and it is hard to beat, especially if you are using tubes all the way.
buconero117
jsman
246 posts
 
10-12-08 I would agree with you as for the time part, but for the bes ...

Well I have a subscription to the TP tapes, and I assure you that they are the best source my system has ever seen. That was a big reason for getting them, all the time, money, and effort into the system trying to get it to sound as good as it can get. Well the only way that will happen is if you put the best possible source into it!!
normansizemore
601 posts
 
Viridian,

"Norman, a killing? These guys can't even sell enough home theatre receivers and MP3 players to make ends meet. A killing?"

Well maybe that is the problem! I don't know your age (I am 46) but I can vividly recall walking into Stereo Systems, Playback, Pacific Stereo, etc., and stores were always busy. Reel to reels were big ticket items that sold well. If you are serious about music, hell if you just enjoy listening to music, why would you purchase a 'home theatre receiver'? Now one has three choices, crummy stereos sold at Best Buy, Exotic high end that most can't afford, or mid market home theartre goods. That is why Ebay and the like are thirving today, selling 30 year old hi-fi gear. That is why I still have and enjoy my 30 year old Citations.
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dlanselm
111 posts
 
I heard Reel to Reel tape for the first time at RMAF this past weekend. I would love these to make a big comeback. It is very special.
jsman
246 posts
 
Dlanselm glad you got to expirence some of what a few others have been doing for a while now. Tape really is good under the proper conditions.
mothra
110 posts
 
Because no one cares.

Really , if you can't sell a cd anymore, it's very hard to sell anything and tape is expensive and no one makes tape machines anymore because they are too expensive to make.

In the pro audio community there is an old saw that if everyone had a 15 IPS half track machine for music, there wouldn't be any other formats. I can believe that still.

As for quarter track stuff, it depends on the spped, transfer and tape quality. I worked at a studio doing tape transfers when i was about 19 and it was not a pretty sight.
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