Is idler drive better than belt drive or direct drive?

mijostyn2,419 posts08-17-2020 6:41amHere we go again.

18 hz, on a TT, that would be something... Most of my stuff is cut off at 35-40, just for that reason.. Heck the old 78 stuff, didn't go below 60.
There was nothing recorded below that. I have a LOT of the old stuff, sounds wonderful, but 18 hz has ZERO sound, lot of feeling though..:-)

28 hz on a TT, must sound like a train going buy all the time.. I don't push the sub bass issue with TT. I know you can I just don't. Better off with Reel to reel in the analog realm, going REAL low...

Regards

atmasphere8,587 posts08-21-2020 2:50pm@oldhvymec You can still get recording tape including cassettes- talk to the good folks at ATR.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

You know I still have a lot of tape, cassette (3m 1969). One is actually a recording of the little band we had going as kids. Trumpet, drums, lead guitar, and pans (lead singer could multi-task) I had two tapes just packed with all the local kids around that played. One held up very well one didn't.
THEN, Reel to Reel was a dream for us kids. 4-8 tracks were all the rage. For a while LP in cars. I saw a couple in Ford Thunderbirds.

I have three legal folder storage boxes, of tapes stored in anti-static bags. I'll never use them... The quality just isn't there compared to my least expensive CD/SDAC, streaming, heck even the music channel.

I admit also my playback for the tapes is not high quality, for sure..
Sony (still my personal favorites) but in real need of overhaul/service.

Regards

LOL. MC.. Crack me up...I'll take ROCK...

 I like direct drive, when it's party time...YUP. 

I like rim, idler with belt, and belt drive when I'm getting serious with the ol vinyl.. Not as often as it should be...RUSSCO.. Garrard KILLERS
Check them out. LOL they have a gear shift.. I love them..

I like hand made too.. fun to mess with..

I own them ALL, 401 (better unit) 301 better looking, TD124s, are a work of art... Russco/Sparta/GRK. 750 Fairchild (my personal favorite) got stolen.
24/7/365, for 30 years, then 200.00 USD worth of parts, another 30.

Regards

I’ll tell you OP, Reel To Reel is cool, no doubt.

I had an Akai RtoR that had direct record/playback wired from the heads to a really good Summo analog differential preamp and power amp. Went completely around the preamp in the tape unit. It was a masterpiece, for playback. That was stolen with a Fairchild 750, C22, 2, MC240., oh yea, that was a bad day, night, week, month, and year. :-)

Reel-to-Reel is really good, the problem NOW, is cost, and quality of the existing tape left. Magnetic media, degrades.. No way around it... Sure sound and LOOKS good... Fun, too!

Regards

That was the problem, I was having. Keeping up with good tape, having to purchase it NOW.. oh yea, it was abandoned, by me over 30 years ago just for that reason. Limited supply and a LOT of the newer stuff wasn't holding up very well, to boot. I sure like some of the features though.

Cassette, then 4 track, then 8 track, then cassette finally took off, yet all that time vinyl was still being used by most serious stereo guys. Tape was a changing format, and not for the better. Reel to Reel, new production is VERY expensive, I've only seen custom request tapes, figure the cost on those. 500-1000.00 usd

Regards