Which Reel to Reel deck should I get ? (list included)

percy · 30th March 2005, 04:21 PM

After doing a little research I have narrowed it down to a few models that I like but I would like some more feedback before I make a final decision.

SONY TC-558
AKAI GX-266D, GX-267D, GX-630D/635D/636

Use would be just home listening of pre-recorded tapes. Very little recording use - if at all any.

I know there could be better ones out there but this is the final list I am considering based on various factors(trouble free operation for a long time, decent level of performance for my kind of application, budget and aesthetics)

Any information on selecting between the sony and the akais would be very helpful!
Thanks!

Carondimonio · 30th March 2005, 06:53 PM

In the 80's I owned an Akai GX635D. Very good machine, well built and good sounding.
Still, I would prefer a Revox B77...

Cheers,

Bruno

EC8010 · 30th March 2005, 10:25 PM

Why bother with domestic machines when the broadcasters are throwing away real machines? If you have the room, a Studer A80 is a wonderful machine. By comparison, a B77 is a toy.

BrianL · 31st March 2005, 02:49 AM

Ignore your list. Buy a real reel machine. As Bruno says,
there are many good studio machines out there.

I do not like the Revox B77. The way they made "potentiometers"
by putting a carbon elements on the front panel PCB is really
sleezy. Prone to problems.

My all-time favorite non-studio machine is the Technics RS-15xx
series, RS-1500, RS-1506, etc. IMO one of the 3 or 4 best
transports ever designed. Run rings around most studio
recorder transports. Any studio machine that will top these
is still in high demand and expensive.

PeteMcK · 31st March 2005, 03:05 AM

I'd go for the Akai over the Sony, 'cause the GX heads don't wear.
Go for a 3 motor version, the single motor machines aren't nearly as good.
Check that the pinch wheel (that controls the tape speed) is in good condition, I once was given a machine that someone had left in the 'play' position for some years - the pinch wheel had an indent from the motor spindle, so was unuseable.
Pete McK

percy · 31st March 2005, 04:11 AM

The sony has a F&F (Ferritte and Ferritte) head which are also known to be long lasting like the GX heads.

Looks like the Technics would be above the budget. I dont want to spend more than $250-$300.

I have looked at the Teacs, Tascams, Revox, etc.. but I like the looks of the GX-6xx series. And I guess from whatever I have learn't so far they are not bad performers for general home use. Unless something is terribly bad about them I'd really like to settle with one of them. Unless you see a big red flag there...?

Bill Fitzpatrick · 31st March 2005, 04:15 AM

How about the Pioneer 707? Pretty sexy machine if you ask me.

Carondimonio · 31st March 2005, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EC8010
Why bother with domestic machines when the broadcasters are throwing away real machines? If you have the room, a Studer A80 is a wonderful machine. By comparison, a B77 is a toy.

True, but studio machines are big, still more expensive than a good consumer deck and, very often, quite abused.
Anyway, Percy wants a good consumer machine, so let' s focus on the task...
Out of the list, I' d go for the GX635D.

Cheers,

Bruno

Mark A. Gulbrandsen · 31st March 2005, 05:27 AM

I wouldn't buy any of those decks, all are pretty much junk! I owned both Studer A-80's and Nagras 4S's, both are tops in their catagories. The A-80's do have a tad bit more punch than the Nagra does but they are oh so close when properly set up. Not much can beat em. Presently I have a 2 track Technics RS-1501. Back when the 1500 decks came out I worked for Panasonic and attended a repair seminar on them and they are about the most ingenious designed Jap tape deck still out there. I got mine at an estate sale for 75.00! A-80's are also regularly available on E-BAy for well under a grand, Nagras are typically available for even less because many film sound guys are beginning to unload them....they can be alot of maintainance and digital has pretty much replaced them for location work. BTW: Bob Katz at Digital Domain uses an RS-1500 deck thats been modified with outboard Ampex electronics to do his mastering work from 1/4" tape. HE loves the 1500 transport!

Mark

SY · 31st March 2005, 11:27 AM

"Prerecorded tapes." That may force the choice, depending on the tape format.

BTW, to Mark, I scored a pair of Ampex 351s at U of U's surplus shed. $25 each.

30th March 2005, 04:21 PM	#1
percy diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MN	Which Reel to Reel deck should I get ? (list included) After doing a little research I have narrowed it down to a few models that I like but I would like some more feedback before I make a final decision. SONY TC-558 AKAI GX-266D, GX-267D, GX-630D/635D/636 Use would be just home listening of pre-recorded tapes. Very little recording use - if at all any. I know there could be better ones out there but this is the final list I am considering based on various factors(trouble free operation for a long time, decent level of performance for my kind of application, budget and aesthetics) Any information on selecting between the sony and the akais would be very helpful! Thanks!

30th March 2005, 10:25 PM	#3
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	Why bother with domestic machines when the broadcasters are throwing away real machines? If you have the room, a Studer A80 is a wonderful machine. By comparison, a B77 is a toy. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

31st March 2005, 02:49 AM	#4
BrianL diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: USA	Ignore your list. Buy a real reel machine. As Bruno says, there are many good studio machines out there. I do not like the Revox B77. The way they made "potentiometers" by putting a carbon elements on the front panel PCB is really sleezy. Prone to problems. My all-time favorite non-studio machine is the Technics RS-15xx series, RS-1500, RS-1506, etc. IMO one of the 3 or 4 best transports ever designed. Run rings around most studio recorder transports. Any studio machine that will top these is still in high demand and expensive. __________________ bel

31st March 2005, 03:05 AM	#5
PeteMcK diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Sydney	GX heads I'd go for the Akai over the Sony, 'cause the GX heads don't wear. Go for a 3 motor version, the single motor machines aren't nearly as good. Check that the pinch wheel (that controls the tape speed) is in good condition, I once was given a machine that someone had left in the 'play' position for some years - the pinch wheel had an indent from the motor spindle, so was unuseable. Pete McK

31st March 2005, 11:27 AM	#10
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	"Prerecorded tapes." That may force the choice, depending on the tape format. BTW, to Mark, I scored a pair of Ampex 351s at U of U's surplus shed. $25 each. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache


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30th March 2005, 06:53 PM	#2
Carondimonio diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bern	In the 80's I owned an Akai GX635D. Very good machine, well built and good sounding. Still, I would prefer a Revox B77... Cheers, Bruno

31st March 2005, 04:11 AM	#6
percy diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MN	The sony has a F&F (Ferritte and Ferritte) head which are also known to be long lasting like the GX heads. Looks like the Technics would be above the budget. I dont want to spend more than $250-$300. I have looked at the Teacs, Tascams, Revox, etc.. but I like the looks of the GX-6xx series. And I guess from whatever I have learn't so far they are not bad performers for general home use. Unless something is terribly bad about them I'd really like to settle with one of them. Unless you see a big red flag there...?

31st March 2005, 04:15 AM	#7
Bill Fitzpatrick diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eugene, OR	How about the Pioneer 707? Pretty sexy machine if you ask me.

31st March 2005, 05:27 AM	#9
Mark A. Gulbrandsen diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Salt Lake City	I wouldn't buy any of those decks, all are pretty much junk! I owned both Studer A-80's and Nagras 4S's, both are tops in their catagories. The A-80's do have a tad bit more punch than the Nagra does but they are oh so close when properly set up. Not much can beat em. Presently I have a 2 track Technics RS-1501. Back when the 1500 decks came out I worked for Panasonic and attended a repair seminar on them and they are about the most ingenious designed Jap tape deck still out there. I got mine at an estate sale for 75.00! A-80's are also regularly available on E-BAy for well under a grand, Nagras are typically available for even less because many film sound guys are beginning to unload them....they can be alot of maintainance and digital has pretty much replaced them for location work. BTW: Bob Katz at Digital Domain uses an RS-1500 deck thats been modified with outboard Ampex electronics to do his mastering work from 1/4" tape. HE loves the 1500 transport! Mark

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