Tape Trail

Posted by NAK and BIC decks with 3.75 IPS- lost audio jewels ! on March 23, 2007 at 06:39:04

In Reply to: I agree, and often tell folks... posted by docw on March 22, 2007 at 09:35:40:

can you clarify, which NAK decks had 3.75 IPS ? if any ?

I'm testing an old BIC T-3 right now. I'm dubbing vinyl to chrome tape at 3.75 IPS, hitting the source/tape button to monitor (it's a 3 head deck), there is VIRTUALLY NO DIFFERENCE between the source and tape. i.e. what you hear on the vinyl, is what you hear on the tape- I think the tape actually sounds better.

the specs for the 3.75 IPS cassette decks are quite impressive. The TASCAM/TEAC units hit 20 khz, and the BIC units hit 21-24 khz.

Here's a review/specs on a BIC T-4M, this is one kick-arse deck. I want one !

[IMG]http://i9.tinypic.com/352re5f.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i11.tinypic.com/4dgxj7p.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i9.tinypic.com/2qcngyd.jpg[/IMG]

I have heard in audio circles, that the 3.75 IPS decks were nixed by Philips/Sony, because they wanted their CD format to be successful. I'm starting to believe it, because with chrome/metal tape at 3.75, these decks equalled or surpassed standard 44/16 CD resolution- and you could record with them- and they were cheaper !

It's really IRONIC, that to get this level of performance, one would need a 7.5 IPS open reel, or SACD/DVD-A.

things that make you go hmmm...

I had my tape decks on line full time from 1978 until 1994, when I moved and one got put away. I ran cassette and 8-track carts at the time. The high-end Akai 8-track cart machines are another arcane player/format combo- spec'd to 17khz top end, but they test out to 18-19 khz.

CD was nice, but not nice enough for me to "switch over" completely. I keep a full compliment of tape machines up and running, for now.

The Teac/Tascam machines are nice too, but have a little less high-end than the BIC's- but the TEAC C-1/TASCAM 122 still hits 20 khz high end with metal/chrome tape. The C-1 does it with CHROME tape, amazing.

http://www.thevintageknob.org/THEVAULT/C1/C1-specs.html

http://www.thevintageknob.org/THEVAULT/C1/C1.html#