Why Not Bring Back Analog, Reel to Reel Tape

BTW I have a subscription to the Tape Project and have compared some of the tapes to the LP's, it is no contest the tapes win hands down.

I have to politely disagree with Myles on two accounts:

First, as a TP subscriber and one who has compared the Naylor tape to the cd many times, there is no contest. The cd wipes the floor with the tape---in my opinion. It was so bad in favor of the cd in fact; that I thought my tape was DEFECTIVE. Upon sending it back to the TP folks, they proclaimed that it WAS DEFECTIVE, and sent me another dupe. The second dupe may have been marginally better (I later found out it was NO better), but the cd STILL wiped the floor with it! Now, that is just MY opinion. My friend who is a recording engineer (with several commercial releases to his credit) heard the cd and the tape side by side with me---and he liked the TAPE more!! He said he understood the sound they were "going for" on the tape version (overly warm, full bodied, super tube like, and intimate) as compared to the cd which is clearer, cleaner, and more open and more dynamic sounding. And that comparison was done on a system approaching one-half million dollars as a sidebar. So, as they say----different strokes for different folks!! But I'm with Dave and the guy from United Audio on that Naylor release. Way too muted and dull for my tastes.

Second, I disagree that you need to be at 15ips on open reel to get sound that beats a high quality turntable. I have close to 300 commercial open reel tapes at 7.5ips----mostly 2 and 4 track MLP's, LS's, Blue Notes, Verves, and a nice group of rock and roll (Beatles, Doors, Moody Blues, Zeppelin, Who, etc.). Many of these releases on 7.5ips tape simply DESTROY their LP counterparts. It doesn't happen every time, no, but man when it DOES you know you have come across something very special!

Gentlemen,

It always comes down to the tape machine you're playing it back on, the electronics, speakers and the ROOM in which you're listening. One link does not make great music but a great chain does.

This thread could go on a tangent and benefit us all. RTR machines have made a resurgence as the prices show, however, without a supply of program material that is truly worthy of top of the line RTR machines, topics such as this are headed to a dead end.

This thread might be an incentive for those of us DINOSAURS that still appreciate the sound of tape; be it at 7 1/2 ips two or 4 track, or 15 ips whatever.

Where do we RTR Gonners go from here? A new thread based on titles would be a great start. My apologies for the hijacking but we might just be on to something here. Your thoughts?

Ken

You mean like some sort of audiogon deal where we agree on a tape to issue? Get the rights, and then have somebody do the duplication? Am I thinking too far ahead?

Atmasphere,

You may be thinking too far ahead, but it's the only way to get ahead:-)

Duplication of music is what TTP has done. The sonics are great but they can only continue to supply master tapes if they show a profit. They sourced available and affordable master tapes they thought would draw a wide range of audiophiles to RTR sound. As is the case with all start up companies it takes an investment of money, knowledge and time to get things off the ground. They need more subscribers to increase their sales, fund masters that will attract new subscribers and satisfy those that bought into the concept before they heard the first tape. The cost of their undertaking is beyond the scope of the average audiophile.

What I'm going to say should not be construed as pompous so please don't take it that way.

A year and a half ago, after I drove to ATR Services to pick up my ATR 102, I had a conversation with Mike Spitz regarding a possible resurgence of RTR tapes. I wondered if it would be possible to reissue tapes that passed the 50 year copyright statue;. I was told that he had a inquiry from a party that had an interest in doing just that. The price of four ATR machines along with the acoutrements needed to do the job was not in the business plan. That plan was to duplicate 7 1/2 ips tapes to those that wanted them.----------

The market wasn't there then and would be now??????

If they're are those out there that have 15 or 30 ips tapes that would be willing to allow duplication for others with NO PROFIT MOTIVE it might fly. However, I'm not an attorney, so I can't make the call.

To sum it up, I'm spending my kids inheritance on music, and have multiple ATR machines that are drooling at the opportunity to spread master tapes to those that realize that in the golden era of music, everything was on tape.

Why do I think I'll get a reply from a lawyer? I have one in mind with whom I've spoken before; and an Audiogonner--what could be better?

Your thoughts, Ken