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Help me start off right in the reel to reel realm

I am ready to take the plunge. I want to get a good reel to reel system for playback only of pre-recorded tapes. Although I have 3 systems in which it could be used, it will go in the primary system which consists of an Ayre/DPS TT with EMT JSD5 cartridge, Audio Research CD7, Mac/Wavelength Cosecant server, Shindo Masseto, Luxman MQ-88 and Nagra PSA, and DeVore Fidelity Silverbacks. Most everything is tied into a Shunyata Hydra V-Ray or a dedicated outlet via Shunyata power cords. Interconnects are all Aud23. The speaker cable is currently Basis but I am probably going to switch to Chord's top of the line later this year. I listen to classical, opera, jazz, blues, folk, & vocals.

I know next to nothing about reel to reel aside from the fact that to my ears, it exceeds even the best vinyl playback system. Any and all guidance, recommended links, recommended brands/models, perspectives on price/value sweet spots, etc will be greatly appreciated. I want this decision to be well informed and well thought out. I know there are many on this forum who can help me with the former.

If possible, I would like to hit a home run with my decision, meaning the player I select is not only very compatible with my system, but is good enough that I will not want to do the upgrade thing anytime soon, if ever. That could be hoping for too much, but I would at least like to try.
4musica44107
royj's avatar
royj
151 posts
 
Since you do not require large reels, but would like high-quality playback of pre-recorded 7" reels (and excellent-sounding recordings), have a strong look at a Tandberg 9000 series, rebuilt by a Tandberg specialist such as SoundSmith.

I have no affiliation with SoundSmith, but after owning many decks for precisely your purposes, I found the 9000-series Tandbergs easily beat Teacs for clarity and lack of 'solid-state' sound.

Other good-sounding, small-reel machines include the Philips 4502, the Sony TC-588 and the Dokorder 7700 or 8100. However, as with Akai, major parts for these are essentially unavailable.

Tandberg pix
Phillips reel
Dokorder 8100
Sony TC-558

There are a few good sellers on eBay for pre-recorded tapes-- send me a private message to find out if you like.

Best regards,
Roy
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Teac X1000R or X2000R w/DBX noise reduction. Auto reverse, and much more. These are great decks.
mepearson
100 posts
 
You need to clarify what type of prerecorded tapes you plan on playing. Are we talking TP type tapes here or 7 1/2" 4 track tapes or both? The answer will have a profound effect on which machine you should buy.
4musica44107 OP
520 posts
 
Thank you all for the responses so far and the guidance. As I feared, I do not know enough (yet) to ask a question that is focused enough.

In example, Mepearson - You asked me about TP type tapes versus 7.5" 4 track tapes, or both. I don't even know what TP stands for. Guessing that 7.5" refers to the diameter of the reel. Guessing that "4 track" is an example of how much resolution the recording process affords . . . I suppose the capacity to play both types increases the chances of finding more high quality recordings. If so, that is appealing, but of course, that likely also increases the price.
sibelius
256 posts
 
Is anyone out there using the low end United Home Audio (UHA) HQ Decks for the Tape Project? These would be the entry $4000 and $5500 machines. Is it worth it to get into reel to reel music at this level or do you really need to go to the level 3 and level 4 machines at around $10K for it to be a noticeable improvement over good TT system?
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