What is the best Reel To Reel machine ever built?

 Sam, I just saw this funny dialog. You may like it...

 

Hello everyone
I just bought an A820 and i try to figure out how calibrate it us i am new in tape.
Does auto alignement means that i don't have to use MRL?
Can anybody discribe me the alignement procedure?
I've downloaded the manual but i don't want to make something that will hurt the machine.

Thanks in advance
Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:45 am

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yeeeaaaaahhhhhhhh..........

everything you're saying is all wrong. i think you may have already damaged this machine. you'll need to crate it up and have it shipped to me right away. i'll have a look and see what i can do. it will take some years, though. 

man, you're lucky i saw this.
Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:31 am
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That is so kind of you but it only solves half of my problems as i have two of them
Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:19 am

best @ fun only

Atmasphere, is correct. the mastering machines benefit greatly from bypass caps and general parts upgrades. Have donr quite a few myself.

What is not mentioned is the large leap in head technology that occurred at the peak of the analog mastering days. take a 1950s or 1960s vintage ampex 300 or tube magnecord, and slap in a set of the better nortronics heads or JRF headds, and those machines take a giant leap in sonics.

I still do some live to 2 track work, mostly hi rez digital, but sometimes still lug along a hi speed analog half track.

best

best

Hahahaha, Eckart!!
Good one ;-)

-Sam

Johnss,

I still do some live to 2 track work, mostly hi rez digital, but sometimes still lug along a hi speed analog half track.

ALRIGHT! What mics, pres, and mixer are you using for your location gigs?

Best regards,
Sam

Sam, the best mixer for on-location is none at all if you can get away with it!

I use Neumann U-67s. They have their own faults but those are far outweighed by their benefits :)