The R2R Discussion Thread!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Since several of our members have R2R machines in their setups, and a few more joining soon, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread whereby we could discuss them in greater detail.

Vinyl has seen a significant resurgence in the last year or two, and from being a member at a few other forums, it looks like R2R is following in those same steps, although not from a media access point of view.

Some fans of R2R maintain there is no better media than tape for sound quality, and those people spend hundreds (sometimes thousands) to purchase pre-recorded tapes from the Tape Project, in addition to seeking out older pre-recorded tapes.

Most of the people jumping into the game only want to record some vinyl to preserve those collections, or enjoy making compilation tapes for use at parties, get-togethers and/or background music. Whatever your inclination, please feel free to discuss them in this thread.

So please, tell us your story and let's get the thread started!

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by John72953

Since several of our members have R2R machines in their setups, and a few more joining soon, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread whereby we could discuss them in greater detail.

Vinyl has seen a significant resurgence in the last year or two, and from being a member at a few other forums, it looks like R2R is following in those same steps, although not from a media access point of view.

Some fans of R2R maintain there is no better media than tape for sound quality, and those people spend hundreds (sometimes thousands) to purchase pre-recorded tapes from the Tape Project, in addition to seeking out older pre-recorded tapes.

Most of the people jumping into the game only want to record some vinyl to preserve those collections, or enjoy making compilation tapes for use at parties, get-togethers and/or background music. Whatever your inclination, please feel free to discuss them in this thread.

So please, tell us your story and let's get the thread started!

Excellent thread John! I'll be the first to chime in. I currently use 2 R2R's. One is a vintage Pioneer RT-707 (the 7 inch rack mountable version that belonged to the Spec series) and a Teac X-1000R 10.5 inch R2R.

Mostly I use them for casual listening and for the nostalgia value. I must say, however, that they both reproduce music very well. I've made numerous tapes with each machine. Nothing like watching those big reels spin!

My interest is strictly hobbyist in nature and casual at that. I could never see myself investing in the Tape Project subscription (although a good friend does subscribe and plays them on his Studer). I hope that more audio enthusiast would revisit the quality of sound that many of the good vintage decks still offer.

I know at a few of the electronics shows around North America (yes John, that includes Canada! ) some exhibitors are using 10.5 inch players with Tape Project tapes and are getting rave reviews for the sound. I talked with Mike Allen at Jolida about this 2 weeks ago and he believes that a quality 1/4 inch 2 track tape is really the high resolution audio source to beat. I have to agree.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hi Fred!

How would you categorize the sound quality from a pristine vinyl disc, taped onto your Teac X-1000R and then played back?

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by John72953

Hi Fred!

How would you categorize the sound quality from a pristine vinyl disc, taped onto your Teac X-1000R and then played back?

Well, I'd say that you get all of the good things from the lp with the added benefit of more signal. I find that at low to moderate volume levels the tapes offer better resolution, detail and extension. I don't really listen to music loud these days but tape hiss would be somewhat noticable at high volumes, especially between tracks. For me, it increased resolution at lower volumes and that is a very good thing for my 52 years old ears.

[Psychonaut]

Cool thread. When my father gave me his old system, I thought his Pioneer R2R would be in there but he had given it away years ago with a fairly large amount of tapes. I would get one for fun but since I can't seem to keep up with CD and vinyl, tapes would only add to my burden.

[richteer]

My dad used to have a R2R machine (not sure if he still has it), and I'd love to get one eventually. But other things are higher on my priority list!

[FreddieFerric]

Picked up a Dokorder 1120 10.5 inch tape deck today over the lunch hour from a gent that had posted it for sale on craigslist. Spent about 2 hours this evening cleaning the heads and giving it a quick once-over. Plays very nicely and sound freaking terrific!

I'll post pics in the next week or so. I will be relocating the audio room to a different room in the house (a few feet longer) in anticipation of the Magnepan 1.7's that I'll be ordering soon. I have a 4 day weekend coming up, so I should be able to get everything done by next Monday.

[naturephoto1]

I have a big professional 1/4" Ampex 440C/B hybrid R2R Tape deck that is being prepared. I finally put the deposit down to build the machine this past Monday. We are doing upgrades replacing a large number of caps, resistors, and 2 transformers to the produce and record portions (in this case on removable cards for the machine) that are being implemented in the build. The machine will be completed in a number of months because of the modifications and preparations to my specifications (thanks Roger DiVito).

The machine will have a rare head system of 2 track record and both 2 track as well as 4 track playback.

If I wanted to the machine can have many revisions/changes done including changing from 1/4" to 1/2" tape.

The machine will look like this below, but the compact case that will house the machine will be in Black:



I will post photos once the machine has been delivered and I have installed it into the case.

Rich

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

I have a big professional 1/4" Ampex 440C/B hybrid R2R Tape deck that is being prepared. I finally put the deposit down to build the machine this past Monday. We are doing upgrades replacing a large number of caps, resistors, and 2 transformers to the produce and record portions (in this case on removable cards for the machine) that are being implemented in the build. The machine will be completed in a number of months because of the modifications and preparations to my specifications (thanks Roger DiVito).

The machine will have a rare head system of 2 track record and both 2 track as well as 4 track playback.

If I wanted to the machine can have many revisions/changes done including changing from 1/4" to 1/2" tape.

The machine will look like this below, but the compact case that will house the machine will be in Black:



I will post photos once the machine has been delivered and I have installed it into the case.

Rich

That looks truly awesome Rich. Are you planning to record to it or just use it for playback. Where are you getting your tape from?

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by BluRayFred

That looks truly awesome Rich. Are you planning to record to it or just use it for playback. Where are you getting your tape from?

Hi Fred,

Thanks. I plan to use the machine primarily for playback but I will probably also due some recording.

I will be getting blank tape (plus I won some on eBay- BASF/Entec 468) from:

http://www.fullcompass.com/category/...Reel-Tape.html

I intend to purchase some of the RMG new version of 468:

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/344611.html

I will have a reel of the new RMG 468 sent to Wayne Gunn in Palm springs who is building the machine; Wayne will calibrate the machine for this for recording.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

I've seen 10" tape at 2500' and 3600' in length. Would I be correct in assuming that the 2500' tape is thicker (I believe it's 1.0 mil for 2500'). If so, what thickness would the 3600' tape be. The predominant choices seem to be the 2500' length tape, so is this the one I should be buying?

Second question. I see various types of bias....Premium, High and Standard. I would assume that Premium Bias Tape is the best, but for just making a tape of some vinyl recordings, is this really necessary?

Thanks!

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by John72953

I've seen 10" tape at 2500' and 3600' in length. Would I be correct in assuming that the 2500' tape is thicker (I believe it's 1.0 mil for 2500'). If so, what thickness would the 3600' tape be. The predominant choices seem to be the 2500' length tape, so is this the one I should be buying?

Second question. I see various types of bias....Premium, High and Standard. I would assume that Premium Bias Tape is the best, but for just making a tape of some vinyl recordings, is this really necessary?

Thanks!

Hi John

Yes, it's a thickness thing. Thicker is better. Higher Bias tape is better too. What are you looking at and where? Always on the lookout you know.