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View Full Version : TDK Pro AM Type I tape (pictures)

Mr. Lin
08-26-2008, 06:23 PM
I noticed Total Media has these, and, being a fan of the Pro SM, I was curious enough to buy ten of them. AM stands for Acoustic Master, as opposed to Studio Master, and they are normal bias tapes. I was a little surprised when I opened one to see that it looks just like a TDK D. But there is a difference. Look at the pictures - the AM has a metal shield (I think?) and a longer piece of copper behind the tape (someone feel free to jump in with the correct terminology here). There is no such "shield" on the D tape. In the last picture the AM is on the bottom and the D is on the top. I do not know if the tape itself if the same. Of course I haven't had a chance to try one since I just opened them, but maybe I will tonight.

Pictures below.
Scorpion8
08-26-2008, 06:51 PM
Nice. We'll look forward to a nice review.
NAD613
08-27-2008, 08:23 AM
Let us know if they are any better than the TDK D, if it's worth it to pony up the extra $$$ for the AM as opposed to the D. Although, the quality of the construction you mentioned probably make them worth while. It's the same w/the TDK SA vs. the SM; the SM are built better.
Scorpion8
08-27-2008, 08:33 AM
Also, are the shells screwed together or electronically welded? The copper piece behind the tape is the pressure pad spring, that maintains pressure pad contact with the tape against the head(s).
Mr. Lin
08-27-2008, 05:46 PM
They appear to be electronically welded together.

Last night I recorded Miles Davis' On The Corner onto one of these tapes. During the first few seconds of music I thought something was wrong, it almost sounded like the tape was saturated, but I have to go back and listen again because, if you've ever heard this album, it starts very abruptly, almost as if in the middle of a track rather than the beginning.

But as it went one I was impressed. I'm listening right now and there's very little audible hiss (again, I don't use any NR), everything is crystal clear, great imaging and frequency extension. Overall I would say it sounds practically identical to the CD, although further comparison may indeed reveal a little of that low-end warmth that's sometimes imparted by type I tapes. I've noticed that the TDK SM tapes seem to be pretty neutral, and this is a relative of that tape so the final result in this case is no surprise.

I'll be ordering more of these - recommended.
NAD613
08-27-2008, 06:42 PM
I'll be ordering more of these - recommended.

In case you're interested, A To Z Audio has the 46 minute version of these tapes for $4.00/box. They have a little over 5 boxes left.

http://www.atozaudio.com/html/closeouts-packagedcass.html
Mr. Lin
08-27-2008, 08:18 PM
In case you're interested, A To Z Audio has the 46 minute version of these tapes for $4.00/box. They have a little over 5 boxes left.

http://www.atozaudio.com/html/closeouts-packagedcass.html

Great thanks again!
qubeular
09-28-2008, 09:37 AM
i would assume or at least hope the stock used in these tapes is akin to the ds-x.

its strange that the am tapes are welded, unprofessional really.

i personally love the d tape stock, but these welded shells have a tendency to skew when exposed to uneven temperature (i use them in my walkman) that usually leads to chewing.
Mr. Lin
09-28-2008, 08:32 PM
i would assume or at least hope the stock used in these tapes is akin to the ds-x.

its strange that the am tapes are welded, unprofessional really.

i personally love the d tape stock, but these welded shells have a tendency to skew when exposed to uneven temperature (i use them in my walkman) that usually leads to chewing.

Let's hope not. I'm only going to be listening on a deck indoors so they won't be exposed to extreme temperatures.