Reel to Reel Machine for 15 ips playback


Looking for recommendations on a reel to reel machine for 15 ips tape.  I'm new to reel to reel so mainly looking for reliability and ease of use.  Mainly concerned with playback no recording right now.  

Mara machine?

Refurbished Ampex or Studer?

chauncey

A high speed B-77 1/2 track….w immaculate setup and maintenance w a quality tape can be formidable. Whart is spot on about a competent tech closeby or invest in a roadie shipping case….

have fun, enjoy the journey 

+1 for B-77 mk2 easy to maintain, plenty of spares, easy to adjust but not the most reliable, you can also check the semi pro PR-99. New heads 8000hrs lifespan.

Otherwise Sony TC-766-2, Technics RS-1500, more reliable, more adjustable, more expensive, some spares are difficult to find. Practically ever lasting heads.

 

chauncey OP

Did you buy half track tapes?

that's two tracks forward, wider tracks, twice the magnetic material for signal than 4 track's narrower tracks. The deck would need to have 1/2 track heads, cannot play 4 track.

15 IPS, is similar to wider tracks, in that the faster speed gives you twice the magnetic material for the signal (length). The machine needs to be designed and maintained to handle the weight of a full 10-1/2" reel of tape, and the precision of all of it's mechanisms to maintain stability at that speed, no easy feat.

I gave away the few 15 IPS machines I had (don't record anymore), and went with 7-1/2 IPS to allow me to buy pre-recorded tapes at reasonable prices.

Yes, 15 IPS is better, however 7-1/2 IPS is good enough to be the best sounding source in my system.

'good enough' is always a compromise, but not having many pre-recorded tapes to listen to is also a compromise.