Be careful about what tapes you use...

63.21.167.114

Posted by 9fold on November 4, 2000 at 06:52:26

In Reply to: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? posted by Brian Weitzel on September 9, 2000 at 19:55:23:

I recently purchased a Tascam DA-20mkII DAT deck from Oade Bros. (1-912-228-0093 or 1-912-228-4480). They have great prices and excellent customer service. I didn't want to spend a fortune on a DAT deck, and I got the Tascam for $675. It's a very solid machine and sounds great using the analog outputs. Oade recommended it strongly over the Sony PCM-R300, which was $600. They told me that far more Sony 'R300s come back with transport problems, and that the Tascams are very reliable.

Part of the transport issue with DAT decks is a result of using improper tapes. DDS tapes (2 to 3 hours) are generally not recommended for audio DAT decks from what I have been told. The longer tapes are thinner gauge and do not wear well. Also, I have been told by the guys at Oade Bros. that heat generated in the players causes DDS tapes to deposit oxides on the transports, which will cause problems over time. They said that they get a lot of decks in for repairs with destroyed transports because of people using the wrong tapes. DDS tapes are made for a different transport mechanism (computer) than are found in audio decks. Oade recommends Sony pro DATs, and I bought a few 125-minute tapes from them (PDP-125C). I've just started working with them, and they are great tapes. By the way, the 125-minute DATs are the same gauge as shorter DATs (13 microns). DDS tapes are supposedly only 9 microns.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - Brian Weitzel 19:55:23 09/09/00 (14)

Be careful about what tapes you use... - 9fold 06:52:26 11/04/00 (0)

Re: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - Frost 21:35:33 09/10/00 (6)

Re: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - Brian Weitzel 07:25:39 09/11/00 (5)

Re: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - RBP 23:51:46 09/11/00 (4)

I've been told that the SV-3800 is considerably better sounding - Brian Weitzel 19:55:56 10/12/00 (2)

Re: I've been told that the SV-3800 is considerably better sounding - jaetee 18:06:39 02/06/01 (1)

oops... forgot the link - jaetee 18:09:20 02/06/01 (0)

Re: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - Brian Weitzel 05:48:47 09/12/00 (0)

Re: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - RBP 22:17:36 09/09/00 (5)

Re: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - Bob Olhsson 00:56:04 09/15/00 (0)

Re: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - Brian Weitzel 23:18:21 09/09/00 (3)

Re: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - Bob Olhsson 01:01:38 09/15/00 (0)

Re: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - RBP 17:34:03 09/10/00 (1)

Re: Is anyone familiar with Panasonic DAT machines? - Brian Weitzel 20:36:51 09/10/00 (0)

Follow Ups

Be careful about what tapes you use... - 9fold 06:52:26 11/04/00 (0)

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