Why no interest in reel to reel if you're looking for the ultimate sound?

My R2R is the best sounding source I have. Noisy Analog Tape Wins!

I play Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s, CD. Then LP, everyone chooses LP, then Sgt. Pepper’s R2R, people always prefer tape (my nephew, a musician, began to cry he was so moved). Then I switch from McIntosh 300 wpc SS to tubes, 30 wpc, you guessed it, tubes all the way. Analog gets the fundamentals and overtones ’right’ is what/why I think.

Yes, R2R can be a lot less money than TT. But, you need both really. R2R machines, and tapes were a wealthy man’s game when new, then servicemen started buying them in Asia, (like cameras), they became more widespread, still expensive, but audiophiles went for them, and still do.

I zeroed in on Teac’s, Dual Capstan, Auto Reverse. X1000R is terrific. X2000R same, except Cobalt Heads and it’s Meter’s needles point down, X1000R needles point up.

X2000R is the last Prosumer Deck. X1000R sounds as good as X2000R, I got 2 X2000R’s for pride I suppose, I was working, making good money, why not. I gave my two son’s X1000R’s, eventually they will inherit my tapes and machines.

I inherited a Fisher President II with a 2 track stereo deck and some 2 track tapes from the late 50’s. Amazing!. That’s how I got started. I got a 4 track forward (home musicians layered tracks using these), then settled on 4 track (two forward, two reverse) for pre-recorded content.

Here’s a nice one, and, a 2 year square trade warranty is optional, I would take that, just under $1,800. delivered, add tax. The heads are not worn, the case is in good shape. Paper simulated wood, but they give it a nice appearance.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TEAC-X-1000R-TAPE-RECORDER-REEL-TO-REEL/303363539035?hash=item46a1e0405b:g:8pcAAOSwjT9dzhzd

Pre-Recorded Content is Limited by it’s end in the 80’s, however lots of great sounding content exists, and inexpensive. Hard to believe, but 50-60 years old, they sound amazing.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=reel+to+reel+tapes&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15

" RCA introduced pre-recorded 2 track Stereo tapes in 1955, and also there was the "Stacked or In-Line heads or Staggered or Displaced heads" formats. 1961 was the last hurrah for 2 track Stereo tapes. 4 track Stereo tapes were introduced in 1958-1959 to the USA, a format Tandberg of Oslo introduced, and Ampex adopted. 4 track open reel tapes soldiered on to some degree until Barclay-Crocker made their last ones in 1986. 3 3/4 IPS became a more common format for pop titles beginning in 1965"

I bought around 500 pre-recorded tapes after I realized how great they sounded, and how reliable the ancient tapes are.

I sold around 150 R2R tapes on eBay, unconditional return, and only gave full refunds to 2 customers, letting them keep the tape. One case, postal service destroyed the box (tape was fine), other case buyer said signal was weak. Perhaps his heads were dirty, why dissapoint, refund. Point is, I sold with full confidence 50-60 year old tapes with unconditional returns, think about that, and I have 100% rating. (I’m just beginning to sell LP’s on eBay).

Of course a full wide 2 track head sounds best, (4 tracks are 1/2 the width, 1/2 the amount of material for the signal. To save space, I play my 2 track tapes on my 4 track machine (boost one channel volume (it only partially overlaps the head), and cut other track’s volume.

Home or studio tapes, 2 track 15 ips are incredible.
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I’m handy, have the tools, can fix anything mechanical (not electronics). Every deck I worked on, new belts, remove/replace all lube, adjust speeds, brakes, ... once mechanically overhauled, plays great. I changed the worn heads on one machine.

It is wise to get a spare machine for parts when one for a good price shows up.

If you are handy, I would take a chance on this one for sure

https://www.ebay.com/itm/IN-BOX-BEAUTIFUL-TEAC-X-1000R-AUTO-REVERSE-REEL-TO-REEL-TAPE-DECK-RECORDER/124092750877?hash=item1ce4811c1d:g:Ky8AAOSwDnleUGv-

Totally loaded with remote control, and the rare ’Mickey Mouse’ dust cover
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TEAC-X-2000R-Reel-to-Reel-Remote-Dustcover-Original-Box-See-Video/153907456490?hash=item23d59969ea:g:QuUAAOSwkqBeob5P


X1000R, loaded, warranty available, he over-state how clean it is, but

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TEAC-X-1000R-Reel-to-Reel-Stereo-Deck-with-Dolby-DBX-and-EE-Remote-included/153786770425?hash=item23ce67e3f9:g:KB4AAOSwlkheEmUo

If you have to pay someone to work on a deck, see if there is a repair place near enough to avoid 2 way shipping, expensive and risky.

7-1/2 IPS is definitely preferred to 3-3/4 IPS, however, for desired content, I would buy the 3-3/4, and keep my eye out for 7-1/2, get it, sell the 3-3/4 version.

hadelman,

nice information, however,

your post is about what ’the ultimate’ tape can do. Interesting, however ’ultimate anything’ is probably not relevant for the majority of us.

I think it might give the wrong impression of how good R2R tape sounds without ’ultimate’ upgrades.

Without upgrades, played on a readily available ’prosumer’ tape player (i.e. Teac X1000R, other models and brands) readily available 4 track pre-recorded tapes: ...... easily ........sound better than my/your well set up LP system.

btw, 3-3/4 ips was not a standard of the next era as someone might think reading your text.. 7-1/2" ips was the existing standard consumer speed, 2 track, and 4 track. 3-3/4" ips was the ’added’ alternate cheaper version (only half the tape needed, lighter shipping, ...) Each album had 7-1/2 ips and 3-3/4 ips versions. Look on eBay, a ton of 7-1/2 ips pre-recorded tapes exist along side the 3-3/4 ips versions. Then as now, price differences exist. The masses go for compromise as you know.

A few have had bad results, there are exceptions, but once again:

The MAJORITY of 50-60 year old pre-recorded tapes sound great. I repeat from my prior post: I bought over 500 R2R tapes, every one offered returns, I never had to return a single one. Some, like any format, disappointed in content when listened to, yes. Some great engineering choices, other’s, like any format, not great. ALL 7-1/2 ips sound better than my matching LP versions.

And, I sold 150 of mine years later, 148 customers quite pleased, 1 box smashed en-route, 1 customer got ’low volume’ when he played it, who knows why, refund, no questions asked, keep the tape.. I gave each tape a farewell listen, added leaders, added return strips,

To get into R2R without spending a lot of money, buy deck and tapes returns accepted only, and my advice remains: be handy enough to do the mechanical work on the player yourself, or, have a shop near enough to drive to for that so no packaging/shipping in/out time/cost/damage potential is involved.