2. analog
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The dangerous world of Reel-to-Reel Tape

It feels like I re-entered the world of tape knowing full well of all the downsides, yet I  did it anyway.  I spent much of my youth glued to my dad's decks, making recordings.  As cassette and digital came of age, I always appreciated the sound of tape. 

Whether this adventure is worth it is a subjective exercise.  For folks who plop down $500-$1k on cables or those who swap gear often, tape is really not that expensive, relatively speaking.  Titles are limited though. 

The sound quality and experience is quite something.  Before jumping back into R2R, I had 4 versions of Muddy Waters' Folksinger.  Hearing Chad Kasem's firm's work on it in 15ips it's just something else.  Body, size, and presence are just different than very good vinyl and digital.  And this is with the stock reproduce board from a Revox PR99 MKIII. I can only imagine what's going to happen when I rebuild that card, put in a modern one, or run directly from the head out to a preamp. 

Maybe I'll see some of you in R2R Rehab, where I'll try to get sober from tape. 

128x128jbhiller

Showing 3 responses by mikelavigne

mikelavigne
2,151 posts
 

if you really want everything tape can offer, this is what gets you there.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/ak-hot-rodded-ampex-atr-102s-w-mr-70-preamps-replaces-my-studers.36288/

read the first post which describes the upgrades and custom work to the Ampex decks. i owned Studer A-820’s for 15 years, this is another level beyond that.

prosumer level new decks such as the Ballfinger are nice, but not close to this. check my system page for current pictures in my room of these beauties. and i have a number of tapes which do show just what these can really do.

it is dangerous to listen. you will be changed forever. it messes with your head.

mikelavigne
2,151 posts
 

All I can say is that IMHE, with modern digital recordings, High Res digital is superior to analog R2R.

@mijostyn

please describe your most recent experience supporting that viewpoint. the particulars of the digital source and tape.

it is exactly the opposite for me.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/ak-hot-rodded-ampex-atr-102s-w-mr-70-preamps-replaces-my-studers.36288/page-6#post-861206

agree that digital is wonderful; however.....the best tape is on another realism level

I am being given an old Nagra portable deck. I expect it will be more of a display item than anything. It is a beautiful thing, precision to the max.

i do agree with you on this. owned a Nagra IV-S and Nagra T; both visual works of art. not the tip top level of tape performance, but still very fine when all is working properly.

mikelavigne
2,151 posts
 

thanks @mijostyn for the response.

it’s a huge effort these days to have a top tape deck and acquire the proper media, and few have the commitment to do it. but it does deliver fully.

it’s kind of a crazy thing, to be honest about it.

dabbling in more consumer or broadcast/prosumer decks is not the same as a fully sorted master recorder either. and then there are hot rodded master recorders, and then ones with the best possible output electronics....the MR-70. so it takes alot to touch the stars with tape. but it’s awesome.

the air cooled 911’s don’t make sense either, but i get that fully. although i did the 16’ CS2 thing myself in my Porsche phase a few years ago. i smiled every time i sat down in it.

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