Nothing is better than tape (at least those tapes sold by Analogue Productions and other audiophile labels).
If youre willing to pay the price, then go for it. Tape is the most expensive medium and worth it.
Are audiophile R2R tapes worth the money if you do not have a professional R2R deck?
I gave myself a vintage Technics RS-1520 R2R tape deck for Christmas (more or less 50 years old, but apparently still in very good shape). I had found a couple of old tapes from the 1950s in my attic, and thought this would be a nice sentimental journey. Then I read about sites that sell master tape copies, on 2 track format and 15 ips speed for $400-and-up. Before I fall into a new rabbit hole, I would like to ask this illustrious forum about their own experience with high-end R2R recordings on their own semi-professional decks, preferably in direct comparison with the corresponding vinyl.
On a tangent: I plan to "hot-rod" the old machine, going directly from the replay head into my own preamp (Supratek Grange) instead of using the internal preamp of the RS-1520. Any experience with such a mod?
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elliottbnewcombjr, I am intrigued, where did you friend get he is R2R Led Zepllin tape from? |
Be forewarned that external tape head preamplifiers can introduce remarkably vexing hum into a 2 channel system. They’re not for the impatient. I had a Bottlehead model professionally installed in my Otari 5050. Wonderful sound befitting a high end system. I’ve upgraded my RTR to a restored Studer deck. I wanted Studer’s high precision tape drive and path. This Spring, I’ll have a Earhardt all tube preamplifier built and professionally installed. Towards addressing your query, I’d start with the Technics motor and tape path with upgrades. Bottlehead used to carry them. Next I’d attack the playback electronics. Confirm that your playback head is aligned and in good shape. BTW, I’m in the minority who spend >$500 for copies of 15 IPS master tapes. Most the ones available are excellent copes from masters. |
There is probably no rabbit-hole deeper and more complex, especially if you add on DSD256 high definition tape transfer (HDTT). An electrical engineering background is recommended. It is not enough to invest twenty grand in a Merrill Audio preamp. The time commitment to keep old mechanicals working right is huge. Nice new tape copied from masters is available. An expert with multiple Otari machines and multiple head combinations per machine told me: "Tape wear is a thing but not what you’re thinking. Tapes wear out the heads and anything stationary they rub against. They are polyester and iron vs softer steel. But the glue for the iron does breakdown from older tapes and that causes Sticky Shed Syndrome. Modern tapes have better adhesive so new copies will never do that." If you do want to dive in, there are various forums. A google for "Otari forum" should produce hits. But maybe you are asking here because you are hoping to hear instead: "Don't do it! Run away! Just buy HDTTs from the folks who were so crazy to dive in before!" |
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