bracurrie

Well I have gone off the deep end. I bought a Studer A810. It is being thoroughly checked out and serviced. Several capacitors and transistors have been identified and replaced. Since I now have almost 30 2 track 50s and 60s jazz tapes I decided to get a good deck. Always looking for 2nd to 3rd gen 2 track 15ips tapes. Anybody else as crazy as I am? Brad

Your such a tease.

I agree. Except my 9 yr old grew up and now complains about my wifi setup.

He's on a budget. But I get your point.:)

Really? Can't you get worked up about politics? Wait, that's already being done to the extreme. So look... I like what you are saying but an opinion is like a belly button and yes everyone has one. But I really do like a BS button except I don't know enough to use one. Maybe we can make a BSimho button that guys like me can use. Peace. Brad

http://www.itrax.com/Pages/HelpTechnical.php Maybe this will help.

Wait, doesn't this rack thingy diminish upper mids? It's a vibration magnet!!!

YES. Go for F IIIs. The IIs are pretty darn good, so the IIIs should be "first rate". Brad

I am not an audio engineer, but I will take a stab at this anyway: Analog tape full potential is captured at a digital level no better that CD Redbook. Digital potential far exceeds CD Redbook so it can capture and record with greater fidelity, dynamic range, and lower noise. Analog effects loops seem to be a thing these days and I like those effects for the most part. Mark, from a point of view of an audio engineer that came up in the pre-digital age and fully embraced digital as it has developed, maintains that there is nothing wrong with enjoying analog music, but it's remixing, remastering and A/D conversion can never improve its fidelity and dynamic range beyond what it was when it was recorded. I really enjoy the sound of a great analog R2R recording over either the CD or in some cases the "remastered" digital download of the same music. And it's way more fun to run the machine. Brad

http://www.realhd-audio.com/?p=5381 from Mark Waldrep. Now this guy is an authority you can trust.

I believe that to be true. He added the outputs and did some other things and turned it into a preamp.

Several years ago I struck up a friendship with Justin Weber and almost immediately regretted it. I couldn't get him off the phone. We would talk for an hour about speakers and amps and at the end it was really tough to stop. I did really enjoy it though. So I bought a stereo 15 from him and while it was being made he sent me his Big Ben single ended amp to try. I attached them to my tweeter horns and was impressed with how quiet the amp was. The stereo 15 was just as quiet with more power and to my ear just as pleasing. Well, then Justin mentions he is selling his Yield open baffle speakers which I had been salivating over since Dave's posts in this forum. I bought them. Then I bought a pair of his Casablanca mono blocks which are now my daily drivers for my Yields which I doubt I will ever fall out of love with. The Sound stage is stunning. Well, I had discovered 15ips 2 track jazz tapes on eprey and now needed a preamp. Went through several including an Audio Research SP6 I had for sale that hadn't yet been sold but really found nothing quiet enough for my taste that wasn't a little harsh or lacking to my ear (its not golden but I know what I like). I had avoided Justin contact for like a year but my Casablancas developed a bias current problem so I risked continued exposure to the amp maestro to get a fix. Problem easily solved, but again spending an hour on a customer service follow up with Justin stuck in California traffic led to another ampsandsound development that could address my need for a pleasing preamp. Justin had taken his Kenzie headphone amp based on the Darling circuit (whatever that is?) put some unbalanced outputs on it and did some other stuff I dont understand and the next thing I know I have traded away a speaker set for Justin's ampsandsound new preamp. Well it arrived several days ago and I have now had several hours of listening time with it. IMHO its terrific in several ways. first its dead quiet and that is a pet peave of mine. (I know it makes little sense to say that when I tolerate tape hiss). My tech bench tested it and said it sounded bright. Well yes I agree to a point but its softer while being brighter. Bass is tight and did I say it was quiet already. I have a large collection of decent digital content that before having a tape machine was my usual source and I drove the Casablancas directly from my sound card with generally pleasing results. With the pre in the chain the digital content is MUCH more pleasing to the ear while showcasing dynamics of loudness and range with no digital harshness. I have only mounted two fairly old jazz recordings from the sixties on the tape deck but they sounded great. Way to go Justin!! I'll get the speaks out soon.

I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Uh, I mean the lack of jitter in tape playback.:)

I have a 2 track 15 ips version of Kind of Blue and while its warm and wonderful the recently remastered digitial downloads are clearly better. IMO I wish all the great jazz recordings would get that kind of attention and get lovingly remasterd instead of the typical quickie transcriptions that often turn out worse than the tapes I have been able to aquire. Brad

Don't forget forum member justinweber Justin Weber's ampsandsound.com I have several of his amps and they are first rate.

Out of the dozen or so pre-recorded 7 1/2 ips 4 track tapes I have purchased I have maybe two that were better than vinyl. They are quiet, better separation and more dynamic. But the two track 15 ips tapes (that come from who really know where) 90% have been better than vinyl and better than CD in every way except sometimes noise. The two track tapes are stored tails out so you have to rewind them first to listen. My digitizing of these seem to preserve the magic so I have not played any of the tapes more than a couple of times. Been researching ways to improve playback by using outboard preamps, but they are pricey and I am not sold they would be that much better so ignorance is bliss. Brad

The deck was delivered to an old time Studer tech in Franklin TN that still services pro tape decks in the Middle Tennessee area. The seller is replacing the pinch roller but I wonder about the capacitors and battery as well. Seems that these need attention as they are 30 years old. BTW I am getting the original binder with QC sheet and all documentation that came when the deck was purchased by the seller in 1987. Now I have to go to schoold to learn how to get the most out of the deck. Brad

From the pros on the forum, I have the opportunity to buy in very good condition and with power supply and companion VHS recorder a Sony PCM F-1. I believe its one of the first pro digitizers and as such would be more of a collectible. Thoughts? Brad

I know this is an old topic but I thought I would share some thoughts on this. I have been acquiring 2 track 15 ips tapes of 50s, 60s and 70s jazz recordings, most of which are available digitally, that have more life, fun and unfortunately noise than their digital counterparts. I also have several recent LP pressings of the same tapes. IMHO the tape is better than the LP but in most cases. The digital is better than both with respect to noise and fidelity, but not as good dynamically. In some cases the separation and sound image is strikingly better on the tapes. Just yesterday I pulled the trigger to acquire a Studer A810 from an older audio engineer who lovingly cared for his equipment and insisted that his Studer tech completely service it before I took delivery. I am looking forward to learning how to adjust the deck to optimize the playback for each of the tapes. Thanks to everyone for a terrific thread. Brad

Congrats Aaron. Once you get them dialed in you are going to love them. BTW. Take the next step and get some tube amps. There is a difference with sensitive speakers. IMHO Brad

Life happens. Hope to clear the decks soon so I can be a regular again. I occasionally read in, but don't take the time to chips in. So many good people cover the territory so well. Brad

Wow. I have been aware from here for some time again. I see the Forte III announcement and came here to see what everybody thinks. And... The biggest discussion seems to be about the "Heritage" designation. But my excitement comes from the Roy D interview that gets to how the speaker was improved. Wish he would dive back in here to share thoughts etc. I believe products should be retired when the appeal in the market drops and it doesn't support the company business model. Then only after time AND when you can improve the speaker AND reasonably believe the new model will support the business model then bring the brand back with the improved model. As an owner of Forte IIs I cannot wait to hear the Forte IIIs. Whatever management calls it is ok. But what the members here call it, now that matters. Brad

If they can be repaired without major surgery, I would take that risk gladly. Brad

Thanks Chris.

I haven't visited here for quite some time and I miss all the fun. But I am getting my Jub clones out of storage to sell them. Since last using the Jubs I have had a computer crash. The recovery left out my miniDSP active crossover settings with EQs. Does anyone recall the recommended active crossover and EQ settings? Thanks Brad