Hi Dennis,
As a lifelong R/R fan, you must remember that A tape deck is basically a Transport and a preamp. The better the electronics in the preamp section, the better your recordings will sound. For this reason, the fellow above loves his Revox G-36. The tubed electronics make all the difference. The battleship like Revox A-700 with 2 track heads, looks better, is built better, handles tape better, but sounds lousy in comparison. Early solid state was the reason.
The Tandbergs had the best sound,(for consumer decks) but had an almost 100% failure rate. They WILL break.
Pioneer had a series of good machines in the 74-78 era, with great construction and very decent sound.
Stay away from the Revox B-77, the best solid state Revox was the A-77Mk4.
The Pro scene was much better, but you need money and a good setup man for the infinitely superior AMPEX ATR series and 440 series.
The blank tape scene has all but disappeared. The big rocks began to fall when 3M discontinued all Analog Reel production in 95 or 96. The giant of the industry spelled it out. We are headed for a tapeless world. Only Quantegy and BASF remain.
A recording on a great Ampex or Studer machine at 30 ips, can actually sound better than your LP, that you recorded it from. A coloration maybe, but I always welcome a larger soundstage and larger images.
Dennis I dont tune in to this station much anymore, but when I saw you pop up after a few years absense, I had to post one. Good luck.........Frank
As a lifelong R/R fan, you must remember that A tape deck is basically a Transport and a preamp. The better the electronics in the preamp section, the better your recordings will sound. For this reason, the fellow above loves his Revox G-36. The tubed electronics make all the difference. The battleship like Revox A-700 with 2 track heads, looks better, is built better, handles tape better, but sounds lousy in comparison. Early solid state was the reason.
The Tandbergs had the best sound,(for consumer decks) but had an almost 100% failure rate. They WILL break.
Pioneer had a series of good machines in the 74-78 era, with great construction and very decent sound.
Stay away from the Revox B-77, the best solid state Revox was the A-77Mk4.
The Pro scene was much better, but you need money and a good setup man for the infinitely superior AMPEX ATR series and 440 series.
The blank tape scene has all but disappeared. The big rocks began to fall when 3M discontinued all Analog Reel production in 95 or 96. The giant of the industry spelled it out. We are headed for a tapeless world. Only Quantegy and BASF remain.
A recording on a great Ampex or Studer machine at 30 ips, can actually sound better than your LP, that you recorded it from. A coloration maybe, but I always welcome a larger soundstage and larger images.
Dennis I dont tune in to this station much anymore, but when I saw you pop up after a few years absense, I had to post one. Good luck.........Frank