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paulf-2007
03-02-2017, 11:47
Having just posted in another thread virtually dismissing having a reel to reel and then looking at them on eBay and thinking Ive always fancied one, what would you recommend that looks pretty, can stand upright and sounds reasonable for about £400, maybe more for the one that steals my heart:)
I saw a nice looking akai but it's in Canada and 120v. Pretty and reasonably priced is more important than top quality sound as it will most likely be looked at more than played.

Audio Al
03-02-2017, 12:08
Revox A77 ;)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Revox-A77-Reel-to-Reel-Tape-Recorder-/252745950332?hash=item3ad8d5247c:g:kngAAOSw4DJYhSV 9

paulf-2007
03-02-2017, 15:26
Revox A77 ;)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Revox-A77-Reel-to-Reel-Tape-Recorder-/252745950332?hash=item3ad8d5247c:g:kngAAOSw4DJYhSV 9
Thanks Al, I hope that smiley means something good.

Audio Al
03-02-2017, 15:56
Yes , A quality machine may need a service / check over , had my unit about 4 years now and its working fine
Unusual that the one listed still has the original box / packaging :eyebrows:

337alant
03-02-2017, 16:00
Look for a Tascam BR20, superb machines :eyebrows:
Here is mine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsZFU2leAAI

Alan

Bigman80
03-02-2017, 18:10
Look for a Tascam BR20, superb machines :eyebrows:
Here is mine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsZFU2leAAI

Alan
That's very good looking. I'm almost tempted myself but I can't see myself spending the money on reels of music.

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topoxforddoc
03-02-2017, 21:51
Paul,

Before dipping your toe into this, I think you have to decide what you want out of R2R. If you want to record a few LPs or high res tracks to tape and play them for fun (they certainly look cool in a retro way), then get a good consumer machine like a Revox A77, Tascam BR20 etc. If you don't want to spend too much on tape get a 4 track rather than a 2 track machine. That way you get twice the playing time of a 2 track machine and access to vintage commercial tapes (some of which will be ok after 30 years and some most definitely not).

If you have deeper pockets and want the very best, then you have to go for a 2 track studio machine. The smallest footprint is probably something like a Studer A807 (this takes up less space than my turntable). If you are tempted to go down this route, then be prepared to resist temptation. If you get to listen to a 15 IPS "master tape" (either original, safety copy or a modern transcription e.g. Tape Project), then you will get smitten. I did and I now have to resist buying even more tapes. I now have about 50 albums including some original production masters. You will end up having to dig deep into your pocket, if you fall victim to this addiction (like me).

Whatever you do, buy the best machine you can afford and budget for a service and alignment. No point in buying a machine, which misfires all the time. Good luck in your quest :)

Charlie

paulf-2007
04-02-2017, 04:47
All good information fellas, Charlie I once heard a nagra at the audio jumble and was the best sound I've heard ever. Having said that maybe the A77 or similar will whet my appetite for something better or may just like to look at it and play the occasional tape.

337alant
04-02-2017, 07:55
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Teac-x1000M-Reel-to-Reel-tape-recorder-/112286265578?hash=item1a24c870ea:g:u44AAOSwA3dYjy7 G

The Teac X1000m is a very good sounding recorded, this ones going for spares so be careful, I have one of these and they are a good machine.
If you want a 4 track look at The TEAC X1000R 2000R, there is also the X10 model that go pretty cheap.
Akai also did some good sounding machines look at the GX range and stear clear of the 400d series now

Remember that all these machines are very old especially the A77 so be prepared to have to pay to get it fixed if you cant do it your self
I also have an A77 and have spent a lot of time getting it working properly but I prefer the more modern Revox PR99 Mk 1,2,3 or B77 as a much better machine if you can get one for your budget

Alan

337alant
04-02-2017, 14:44
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-VINTAGE-REVOX-B77-STEREO-REEL-TO-REEL-TAPE-RECORDER-WARRANTY-/191976743564?hash=item2cb2b4a28c:g:dfAAAOSw8w1X4qi M
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-TC-765-Reel-to-Reel-Tape-Recorder-Serviced-and-Aligned-/311794421564?hash=item4898654f3c:g:LoIAAOSw9GhYlGl e
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tandberg-TD20A-high-speed-reel-to-reel-tape-recorder-with-warranty-/142260660876?hash=item211f656a8c:g:nAkAAOSw5cNYjM0 o
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEAC-X-2000-REEL-TO-REEL-TAPE-RECORDER-/322402409654?hash=item4b10ae5cb6:g:qhMAAOSwLEtYiO1 9
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-TC-854-4-Reel-To-Reel-Tape-Recorder-/302214383888?hash=item465d618910:g:NLQAAOSw-0xYlLNT NOTE 110v
Otari these are very high quality R2R Bargain alert, If I didnt have 2 x MX55s I would buy this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Otari-MX-50-Two-Track-Mastering-1-4in-Reel-To-Reel-Tape-Recorder-Player-/222394365052?hash=item33c7bcb47c:g:8tIAAOSwa~BYUsf k
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEAC-X-10-Vintage-1-4in-Reel-To-Reel-Tape-Recorder-Player-/252730467406?hash=item3ad7e8e44e:g:uIIAAOSwt5hYf9h P
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REVOX-B77-MK11-3-3-4-7-1-2-IPS-Reel-to-Reel-2-Track-Analog-1-4-Tape-Recorder-/142256645577?hash=item211f2825c9:g:3J4AAOSwNnRYh3o W
This is a good tape deck
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tandberg-TD20A-high-speed-reel-to-reel-tape-recorder-Special-Equalization-/142260675738?hash=item211f65a49a:g:m04AAOSwUKxYjNH 9
7" tapes only
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AKAI-GX-265D-REEL-TO-REEL-TAPE-DECK-BOTH-WAY-RECORDING-2-AKAI-METAL-TAKE-UP-REEL-/152420443796?hash=item237cf76694:g:qOIAAOSw2xRYkwN n

paulf-2007
05-02-2017, 11:42
Thanks for the list Alan, I really like the look of the Akai but the long journey from Canada has me worried. My Denon DP80 arrived from Japan in good order except the strobe light didn't work but I suspect that had nothing to do with shipping. One or two others are within my budget but most finish before I get back from China.

paulf-2007
05-02-2017, 11:54
Thanks for the list Alan, I really like the look of the Akai but the long journey from Canada has me worried. My Denon DP80 arrived from Japan in good order except the strobe light didn't work but I suspect that had nothing to do with shipping. One or two others are within my budget but most finish before I get back from China. Regarding the Akai, it's 60hz, is that a problem because I once worked on some ac units that were 60hz and ran slower than they should have.

topoxforddoc
05-02-2017, 13:33
Paul,

Personally I would go for a Revox or possibly a Tascam. The Revox machines have the electronics on cards and spares are day to come by with a decent number of people able and willing to service them. Hence it is much easier to service and repair Pro machines.

Spare parts e.g. heads and mechanical bits are also more easily available for Pro/Prosumer machines. I just wonder how easy it is to get spares for an Akai, Consumer Sony, Pioneer etc.


Charlie

paulf-2007
05-02-2017, 14:24
Paul,

Personally I would go for a Revox or possibly a Tascam. The Revox machines have the electronics on cards and spares are day to come by with a decent number of people able and willing to service them. Hence it is much easier to service and repair Pro machines.

Spare parts e.g. heads and mechanical bits are also more easily available for Pro/Prosumer machines. I just wonder how easy it is to get spares for an Akai, Consumer Sony, Pioneer etc.


Charlievalid point Charlie

Cas
05-02-2017, 15:05
Have a word with Steve at Vintagetech you should be able to get a fully serviced Revox for around £400.
He also will have a selection of machines on offer, just tell what your looking for, but he always has Revox's.
Better than buying from E Bay not knowing what your getting.

http://www.vintagetech.co.uk

337alant
05-02-2017, 17:01
It would be nice if you could get one with a service and waranty.
2ndhandhifi.co.uk have got a Teac X1000m in and it states its been serviced £545 but if you haggle with Simon you could get it for £500.

From the ones I posted I would buy the Otari MX50 they are very professionally built for me your talking better transport than revox, almost Studer quality, and no cap problems
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Otari-MX-50-Two-Track-Mastering-1-4in-Reel-To-Reel-Tape-Recorder-Player-/222394365052?hash=item33c7bcb47c:g:8tIAAOSwa~BYUsf k&clk_rvr_id=1163802110746&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true.
I always try to pick up from Ebay as people just dont know how to pack a R2R and they get damaged very easy

Alan

Cas
05-02-2017, 18:11
It would be nice if you could get one with a service and waranty.
2ndhandhifi.co.uk have got a Teac X1000m in and it states its been serviced £545 but if you haggle with Simon you could get it for £500.

From the ones I posted I would buy the Otari MX50 they are very professionally built for me your talking better transport than revox, almost Studer quality, and no cap problems
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Otari-MX-50-Two-Track-Mastering-1-4in-Reel-To-Reel-Tape-Recorder-Player-/222394365052?hash=item33c7bcb47c:g:8tIAAOSwa~BYUsf k&clk_rvr_id=1163802110746&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true.
I always try to pick up from Ebay as people just dont know how to pack a R2R and they get damaged very easy

Alan

Looks like it has been sold, cannot see it on their site.

337alant
06-02-2017, 02:30
Ah yeah sorry I was looking in a hifi mag, always worth ringing up though as I dont see any R2Rs or cassette decks ?

Alan

paulf-2007
02-03-2017, 19:17
Had a chat with Stephen Bennet about reel to reel and after searching for music on open reel and finding it thin on the ground I've decided to give it a miss at this time. Not going to rule it out indefinitely, never say never. Stephen had some decent machines at sensible prices and gave some good advice, for example four track and bleed into the tracks being played from the other tracks a good reason to use two track, 7.5 ips not having as much dynamic range as 15ips but I can't hear above 12Khz anyway and Stephen's hearing is worse than mine. Ok so some low bass may be missing also, but I still enjoy cassette occasionally.
I don't get much time to listen so recording from radio etc is unlikely to happen. Maybe when I retire I will have more time on my hands.

nthall
05-03-2017, 04:44
I actually think four tracks are fine for most purposes. Most of the old stock tapes I find still sound good. The dubbed ones can be pretty bad.

If you're going to buy master tapes a two track is the only way to go, but those make the cost of the machine look cheap pretty fast.

I actually have more fun with the 4 tracks with 7 inch reels. I can find free tapes easily, and erase them and dub whatever I want to them. I don't really notice the bleed through unless there is something wrong with the alignment, or it was dubbed on another machine.

Listening to Wish You Were Here on a high end 10 inch reel at 15ips is mind blowing. Listening to it on a $200 quad reel machine is just as cool in a different way.

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