Do I really need R2R ?


While on CES I have came across R2R presentation, I guess it were folks from tapeproject.com.
It was first time for me I have seen and heard any high-end R2R. To my total surprise it was the best sound of the Show. It sounded better then the most expensive separates from Wadia ($35k) or even top LP rigs. It got me thinking. Just recently I have bought Nakamichi CR7-A. It is incredible machine, it can record audiophile quality CD played by AA Cap mkII and I could not hear any difference. Quite accomplishment considering that it coasted me only 1/10 of the Capitole price.

I wondering how Nacks would sound on audiophile prerecorded tape. Is there a place/website I still can buy one ?
Is there maybe some kind-of-project for Decs like tapeproject.com for R2R, where I can get tapes recorded from Master Tape to hear what Nacamichi is really capable of ?

I have compared specs of Technics RS-1500 with Nacamichi CR-7A, looks like pretty good match to me:

Technics RS-1500

Frequency Response: 20Hz-25kHz 7.5ips
S/N: 60dB
THD: 0.8-1%
Wow-and-Flutter: 0,03%
Chanel separation: >50dB
Erasing ration: >65dB
Speed fluctuation: 0.1% at 7.5ips
power consumption: 120W
weight: 26kg

Nakamichi CR-7A:

Frequency Response: 18Hz-21kHz
S/N: 66dN Dolby B, 72dB Dolby C
THD: 0.8-1%
Wow-and-Flutter: 0,027-0,048%
Chanel separation: >37dB
Erasing ration: >60dB
Speed fluctuation: 0,5% at 7.5ips
power consumption: 55W
weight: 9kg

Thank you for reading.
sorlowski

Showing 2 responses by sorlowski

That what I was afraid of, expensive maintenance, and need for modified R2R. And there limited choice of music. As far as SACD is concerned I have mid priced SONY DVP-S9000ES, and high-end AA Cap mkII. There is no comparison, SONY sound like a crap, actually even much worse them 12 years old Arcam Alpha 5 I still have (I was so disappointed). Cheap turntable I have, beats it. That's why I'm going back in time hardware wise. And to ease my mind I need to hear what Nakamichi is capable of, on tapes recorded from AA Cap it is beyond reach of my SONY SACD. How good it would be, if I could get tape recorded from some master tape, it really scares me.
That why I have not yet bought R2R. Cost and availability of R2R quality recording are sky high. First I wanted to hear my Nakamichi CR7A at full potential.
Is there anybody who have R2R with some high quality recordings and one of the top Nakamichi audio decks to make a copy to audio cassette ? I would gladly pay some reasonable fee for time spent, and would provide some Metal audio cassette so signal quality loss, would be as small as possible.
If that would sound unquestionably better then my AA Cap, I would consider buying some sexy looking R2R.