Open reel tape players

[Zurin Underking]

I have been thinking about buying an open reel tape player, as I've heard that the audio quality is excellent.
The problem is that i don't know anything about tape players so i was wondering if i could get any advice on whats good, and where to buy it. ( i don't have a lot of money so i won't be able to buy anything expensive)

[indianajo]

They are all full of rubber parts that are now worn out. Somebody said that you can still get the parts for a Revox. I hope so. Now I've picked up a $15 Teac and a $20 Roberts. I own and wore out a Sony TC355, TC366, and a 250, I have about a 100 tapes off the air etc, plus a couple of originals I played, that I would like to play. The TC366 has about 60 db signal to noise, which is better than LP's.

[lowpoke]

The audio quality CAN be excellent. The problem is finding quality source material to play in this day and age. If you're after sound quality you should be looking at the pro /semi-pro machines like Revox, Studer, Tandberg, Otari etc., or better yet head over to this forum and spend some time reading a few threads.
You'll quickly learn which machines are the ones to buy.

[PeteMcK]

Response Curves of Analog Recorders

[indianajo]

Thanks for the link to tapeheads.net. I make my own music on the Steinway & Hammond, so accurate source is limited now to upgrading my mikes from the Sony giveaway dynamics. Looking at the Peavey PVM480 mikes; I have a mixer to power them.

[Richard Ellis]

I goofed with a Sony TC200 as a teenager long ago..................The Pioneer RTR-909......... absolute nirvana, looks like a finely crafted watch, & yes find one that's been rebuilt & dialed in as they have been well worn by now.

__________________________________________________ _____Rick.........

[stellavox]

Hi Zurin,

Welcome to the wacky world of tape where the "ultimate" in reporduction CAN be attained.

Some things to think about - which depend on the media you hope to play. What tape speeds do you want? What size tape reels? Mono; 2 track or 4 track stereo? AND might you actually want to try recording "down the line"?

For "ultimate" sound, you have to think not only about the transport, but also the head quality and the reproduction electronics (the weakest link).

I always suggest considering the Revox A/B/77 or PR series of machines. They are quite common; relatively inexpensive; built like tanks, and spare parts (and full documentation) will always be available. The heads on all Revox machines are uniformally excellent.

Good Luck!

Charles

[kevinahcc20]

Reel to reel tape can give very good sound quality but there are two huge issues. The first already mentioned is maintaining the unique elastomeric parts inside that are surely crumbling by now. The second is to me the biggest negative of RtR...the inconveience of the format itself when seeking or cueing to a specific track location. Today with the advent of terabyte capacity digital storage and all of its advanages for managing a large music collection with an interface like Squeezebox Touch, I have a hard time even imagining going back to the cumbersome world of RtR tape.

[a.wayne]

Originally Posted by PeteMcK

Response Curves of Analog Recorders

When listening the bass is the weakest area on my r2r , the midrange is it's biggest strenght....(vs digital)