Tape Trail Reel to reel, cassette and other analogue tape formats.

---

[ Follow Ups ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Tape Trail ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ]

---

Re: But how much will it cost, a KING's ransom?

Posted by Doc B. (M) on January 11, 2006 at 15:55:43

In Reply to: But how much will it cost, a KING's ransom? posted by grhughes on January 11, 2006 at 13:31:08:

Of course we have heard these arguments. At this point the more aghast looks we get, the more enthused Paul and I get. Because once we start talking about what we plan, folks start to "get it." We're not trying to compete commercially with high res format labels, or vinyl labels. We started out on a mission to deliver the best sounding music reproduction we could make for our demos at shows, period. We eventually found out that the format was so powerful that we could even walk into an audio show and get "best sound" simply with open reel tape, good tube electronics and nice headphones! So financial viability really doesn't have that much to do with it. I consider it more as our expression of a unique art form. If we break even we'll be pleased as punch. If not, we will still have done something we can be proud of.

A super high res digital format is a good idea. Yet DVD-A's body isn't even cold yet, though it was by far the best digital release format that made it into production so far. But that really doesn't have much to do with what we are doing. I wish anyone well who decides to carry that torch, but don't assume I should do it rather than doing what inspires me. I was a pastry chef for 20 years. If you asked me to grill you a steak I would have given you the same kind of answer - I could do it, and quite well as a matter of fact. But you're better off mentioning it to someone who actually wants to make it for you."

I suspect I would have gotten the same reaction 15 years ago if I had said we were going to release half speed mastered 45 rpm LPs. Cripes, *everybody* threw out their turntable and records in the 80s. I know, because people were giving me Thorens, Denons, Lencos - just to make space! Now look where vinyl has ended up. Granted, the dynamic that pushed it back into the limelight was DJs to a certain extent, but it was dead as a doornail before it was resurrected.

It is interesting to note that there are other sources of tape besides Quantegy, and in fact there are even new formulations from a new manufacturer about to come on the market. So that's not necessarily an impediment, particularly for the volume we expect to produce.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Kimber Kable

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---