Tape for Revox A700

[Vulcanzero1]

Hi everyone

My first post apart from the 'Welcome' one. I've just bought a used Revox A700 which is still being brought up to spec with re-lapped heads and various other maintenance things by UK Revox agent Thear Technology. I know there are some experienced recording engineers on this forum so am hoping one or two will kindly tape the trouble to respond.

My question relates to tape. My understanding is that there are now only 2 manufacturers of tape worth considering. ATR Magnetics and RMG. I believe the Revox machines, as opposed to Studer, are unable to handle 'high saturation tape so I had shortlisted RMG SM911 and possibly ATR 'Master Tape' both in 26.5cm NAB reels. I had decided on the RMG because lots of people seem to have used it, the price is reasonable and it's readily available but went to the Hi Fi show at Whittlebury last weekend where I was told by a recording engineer that after their factory move (from Holland to France?), RMG's quality had dramatically deteriorated and don't buy it!

This was the only negative comment I have heard or seen as generally the reviews on the SM911 are positive so I could rally appreciate it if someone could confirm or otherwise. Ideally someone who has bought recently with more likelihood of it being made at the new site.

many thanks
Charles

[topoxforddoc]

I only use RMG 911 and LPR35 on my Revox G36, Studer A807 & Sony APR-5002. I heard about one duff batch of SM911 a few years ago, but not heard any more since. ATR hasn't been trouble free, according to some sources, with tape shed reported by some.

I'm sure that others will comment too, esp people like Lodgesound (Stewart) and Paul Stewart.

[PaulStewart]

Hi Charles,

Firstly RMG's quality is still good. I've used quite a bit recently. Also, Revoxes cann use any tape that Studers can, it's just a case of how the bias is set for recording. I would need to know what you intend to record,if you are recording off CD, LP or the radio etc., then you can look at any of these tapes or the likes of Racal. If you are going to record new musical performances,then it's a case of using the tape whose sound characteristic you like. My personal preference for this these days is SM468 a high bias tape that is close to the old Agfa 468, which I regard as the best tracking and mastering tape ever made.

Best of luck with it

[Vulcanzero1]

Brilliant. Just the sort of advice I was hoping for. I'll give it a bit longer to see if there are any reel (sorry!) negatives about 911 as that is my preference because of availability and price and if not, I'll buy a couple of reels.

I had considered doing some live recording of jazz in pubs or church organs and was going to buy a pair of AKG 451B's but I think at 65 I'm past lugging the A700 around with the risk of disturbing something or even damaging it, so I'll probably just record tracks off LP's via my Quad QC-24 preamp. Also the same person that was critical of the 911 was the same with the 451's and I can't afford the AKG 414's he suggested. Anyway, with my hearing I doubt if I could tell much difference although of course when you're a hi fi nut and your hearing is rubbish, psychology plays a big part and you're always wondering 'is that a drop-out I heard there' hence the desire to be sure about the tape. I had some horrendous problems with Agfa PE36 with a 4 track Revox A77 back in the '70's, so bad that Horns modified it to a 2 track, and the memory of it has stuck with me.

[337alant]

I just bought some new RMG 900 and LPR 35 from Ebay, Studio Spares also stock it and its good tape

A700 will take tape up to Overload threshold: +6 dB, 514 nWb/m

This was the seller
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-4-REEL-MASTER-TAPE-SM911-RMGI-BASF-PYRAL-762m-2500ft-Tonband-R34120-/131568291459?hash=item1ea214ce83


https://farm1.staticflickr.com/752/20733742952_58288e9b6a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/xAaRqL)IMG_2490 (https://flic.kr/p/xAaRqL) by Alan Towell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/69508926@N05/), on Flickr


Alan

[Vulcanzero1]

Alan - many thanks.

I notice that the ebay advert refers to 911, which is the tape I wanted to buy, but you say 900. If it is 911 you have bought from this particular seller AND you have used it AND are happy, that's great news because it says in the advert "new stock manufactured in 07/15 France" so I can go ahead without worrying.

[topoxforddoc]

You can buy RMG tape on Thomann.de

http://www.thomann.de/gb/rmg_recording_tape.html

Best price from a huge retailer. Quick delivery too, providing it's in stock.

[Vulcanzero1]

Yes, thank you. I do like the fact that the guy in Latvia states the manufacturing date though.

[topoxforddoc]

Yes, thank you. I do like the fact that the guy in Latvia states the manufacturing date though.

Thomann turn over so much stock, that it's all fresh.

[337alant]

I bought 900 but it was the last he had and only had pancakes, the 911 is very good as well and I have previously bought it from Thomman and it was good tape.
I have only tried a track on the LPR35 and it sounded good
Alan

[Barry]

Brilliant. Just the sort of advice I was hoping for. I'll give it a bit longer to see if there are any reel (sorry!) negatives about 911 as that is my preference because of availability and price and if not, I'll buy a couple of reels.

I had considered doing some live recording of jazz in pubs or church organs and was going to buy a pair of AKG 451B's but I think at 65 I'm past lugging the A700 around with the risk of disturbing something or even damaging it, so I'll probably just record tracks off LP's via my Quad QC-24 preamp. Also the same person that was critical of the 911 was the same with the 451's and I can't afford the AKG 414's he suggested. Anyway, with my hearing I doubt if I could tell much difference although of course when you're a hi fi nut and your hearing is rubbish, psychology plays a big part and you're always wondering 'is that a drop-out I heard there' hence the desire to be sure about the tape. I had some horrendous problems with Agfa PE36 with a 4 track Revox A77 back in the '70's, so bad that Horns modified it to a 2 track, and the memory of it has stuck with me.

Never had any problems with Agfa PE36 on my Ferrograph 632 or on my Nagra IV-S. These days, what little R2R recording I do, is done with Ferrograph Pyral tape, of which I have a dozen or so 1800' tape on 7" metal spools.

[topoxforddoc]

As far as I understand RMG/Emtec LPR35 & SM911 are the same emulsion/coating. The SM911 has 1.5 mil tape standard play backing/thickness & the LPR35 has 1.0 long play backing.



I bought 900 but it was the last he had and only had pancakes, the 911 is very good as well and I have previously bought it from Thomman and it was good tape.
I have only tried a track on the LPR35 and it sounded good
Alan

[337alant]

Plent of information on RMG USA home page
http://www.rmgi-usa.com/page3/page3.html
http://www.rmgi-usa.com/resources/Spec-Sheets-&-Bias-Chart/RMGI_SM_911.pdf
http://www.rmgi.eu/pdf/rmg_international_bv.pdf
http://www.rmgi-usa.com/resources/Spec-Sheets-&-Bias-Chart/BiasChart.pdf

Alan

[Vulcanzero1]

Ok thanks to all and to Alan. I'll go with the RMG SM911 from wherever I can get a decent deal, probably thomann.de or possible the Latvian guy. But first I need the machine which hopefully will be by the end of the month.