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In Reply to: RE: Tape Project announces their first 3 releases. And I'm drooling already! posted by Vinnie on September 23, 2007 at 11:29:35
If you visit The Tape Project web site (www. tapeproject.com) you will get a lot of info about the Technics RS1500 series that Doc recommends. But go to the Tape Project Forums as well, and you will see a number of tape decks suitable for the Tape Project. In general, you'll need a deck that is 1/2 track and runs at 15 ips, with IEC (as opposed to NAB) playback EQ.
The key issue for most is that The Tape Project's tapes use IEC equalization, NOT the US-standard NAB eq. So either you have to find a deck that has IEC equalization as an option (usually, switchable from NAB) or else you will have to buy an outboard tape head preamp like the Bottlehead Seduction that Doc sells, and rewire your deck's playback head to bypass the deck's internal reproduction amp and run directly to the Bottlehead. The latter choice is probably the best way to go, but if the rewiring scares you off, you can find used pro recorders that have IEC eq.
Here are a few decks that typically sell on e-bay for under $500 that have switchable IEC EQ and run at 15 ips: Tascam BR-20; Tascam 32-2B (note the -2B; the regular 32 doesn't switchable EQ, I don't think), Otari MX5050 series. Note that all of these were regularly used by radio stations; be careful when buying, particularly with the Otari's since I've seen a ton of them really beat up. Also, European versions of the Revox B77 or PR99 (the "pro" version of the B77) would likely have IEC eq, since that was the standard in Europe.
There are more expensive options, too, like the Studer 810; ATR-100 series, etc.
But my main advice is to visit the website and forum, and read everything there. You can certainly start out with a used machine (as long as it has switchable EQ), then step up to the Bottlehead repro amp later.
John Colombo
Follow Ups:
...you can listen to IEC EQ'd tapes on a NAB machine and only hear minor frequency response differences.
Minor - less than between two brands of loudspeaker - so don't let no access to a European playback machine stop you!
Regards, Allen
And this from the guy who frets over phono response above 50kHz! The difference in the turnover frequency is nearly half an octave, 3150Hz vs 4500Hz. Having tried what you suggest in times of desperation, I found the difference quite audible. But sure, you can run an IEC tape on a machine with NAB eq. You can play 33rpm LPs at 45rpm too.
...the original poster was making outthat you should forgetaboutyourtape projecttapes unless one had an IEC eq'd machine.
I say they will still be enjoyable - maybe not ideal but certainly more than enjoyable - yes?
Or completely pointess and should be totally forgotten?
When do those first tapes become actually orderable?
And although my phono pre's go out to nearly 1MHz, it's only **UP** to 50kHz that we calibrate to. And that is just as valid for NAB/IEC, you should hear them on tape!
Regards, Allen
Regards, Allen
Well I guess I'm looking at it from the perspective of a proud papa - that we've spent a ton of time and money trying to do the best quality job we can. It may not be the most rational reaction, but I kind of hope that someone who buys our tapes would want to use a machine that is fully optimized to demonstrate just how good these master duplicate tapes can sound. If a guy wants to spend the money on the tapes but doesn't want top spend the money on a machine that will play them right, that's his choice. Hopefully he won't be too upset when we ignore any complaints that it doesn't sound right on NAB eq. ;^)>
Tapes are in production this week. It will take us a little while to cover all of the subscription orders for each album title, particularly since we are finding that many folks who initially subscribed for just six out of ten titles are changing over to buying a full subscription now that the full 2007 catalog has been announced. Some of our subscribers opted in way back in January, before we even had a estimated release date, and we are working hard to show our gratitude for subscriber support by getting them all of their tapes ASAP. Once we complete the subscription orders we will start to offer individual titles. I'm guessing we will begin to have individual albums available in the next six to eight weeks, maybe sooner if we are lucky.
I bet your preamp sounds great with tape!
nt
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