Can a very good type I tape outperform a fair type II tape

[gonzo]

I ask , because I thought there were inherent limitations in the sound ,signal to noise ratio when comparing type I and type II tapes. Being that people who post here are all tape enthusiasts, I kind of figured most would be looking for type II tapes( or IV if you can find it and it's affordable). The most recent post about the TDK pro AM prompted this question. I have generally tried to pick up gently used type II tapes as opposed to standard type I's. Am I missing out on some good tapes? Are there any old and current type I's that are really pretty good and worth getting? Thanks Norm

[MacGyver]

i hear that these are pretty good, though i have no personal experience with them...


http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=1008


i do, however have plenty of personal experience with FUJI's late model DR-I, using them extensively in the past for producing mixtapes for my truck driver ex-father. from what i remember of them, they were quite good indeed, much better made than TDK's equivlient late model D- Series, quiet mechanism, excellent performance, and even a screw-together shell!!

[Marc Hugo]

I ask , because I thought there were inherent limitations in the sound ,signal to noise ratio when comparing type I and type II tapes. Being that people who post here are all tape enthusiasts, I kind of figured most would be looking for type II tapes( or IV if you can find it and it's affordable). The most recent post about the TDK pro AM prompted this question. I have generally tried to pick up gently used type II tapes as opposed to standard type I's. Am I missing out on some good tapes? Are there any old and current type I's that are really pretty good and worth getting? Thanks Norm

Howzit Norm,

The simple answer is yes, definitely they can. More than that, a top type I can come within an inch (about a decible) of ordinary type IVs in terms of DR and MOL/SAT figures. By top, we are talking about pretty legendary tapes - TDK AR and AR-X (AD-X I know less about), Maxell XLI-S and Sony's phemon, the HF-ES. Tapes such as Sony HF-S, That's CD-IF Suono, Maxell XLI, the better vintage UDI and AD, TDK's early but rare "OD" and BASF FMI Ferro-Maxima are not to be sniffed at. They will all happily be pushed higher above 0dB than most, if not all type IIs. One must bear in mind that type II tapes get their dynamic range from low noise floors more than above the line performance (MOLs).

Matt posted neat pics of some handsome Scotch XS-I tapes last night.

Later on, I will post a scan of the very rare HF-ES, and the even rarer vintage TDK OD. Be sure, the HF-ES will terrify the humbler type IV offerings, never mind unceremoniously demolish most type IIs in the process.

Cheers - Marc

[NAD613]

Of the tapes I've used recently, I really like the Fuji DR-I & the Akai SX. With the bias adjusted & using Dolby NR, I get a good sounding tape with no hiss & dynamic sound.

Back around 1991 or so, when my stereo system consisted of a Seiko boombox, I used the Sony HF-S type I tapes. I thought they sounded as good as some of the type II tapes I tried. Even on a my boombox, hardly any hiss. Not only that, but my local Walmart sold them for only $2/2-pack! Sony missed out on a small fortune when they quit making the HF-S; I'd still be buying them!

[lordxale]

I had to do a double take on the tapes I scored today, since I thought they might be HF-S. They weren't, but I did get three Sony HF Type I normal tapes, sealed, for $1.50. Add that to the sealed Maxell UR 120 I got the other day, and I have some decent type I tapes to go along with my Akai SXs.

[braxus]

I've been seeking out good type 1 tapes as of late. They can color the sound slightly which makes the music more pleasing. I have used the AR-X and XL-IS tapes and found them to be very good.

[NAD613]

I've been seeking out good type 1 tapes as of late. They can color the sound slightly which makes the music more pleasing. I have used the AR-X and XL-IS tapes and found them to be very good.

Yeah, those Fuji DR-I are ideal for easy listening-orchestral pop music, i.e. Mantovani, Jackie Gleason, etc... They have a nice, warm sound on those tapes.

[Des-Lab]

Absolutely they can. If you can get your hands on some Denon DX4's or Maxell XLI-S's, they perform wonderfully.

[Marc Hugo]

Morning all!!

Herewith pics of the Sony UX-ES and TDK OD from 19 and 29 years ago respectively.

Cheers - Marc

[braxus]

And in case you missed the other thread, here are some of Sony's better type 1 tapes from around the mid 80s.

[Marc Hugo]

Hi Braxus,

I see its it's just about 11pm for you - I've just got up in sunny SA. The planet is still here - the coffee is good and so are your pictures.

Take care - Marc

[Mr. Lin]

I can tell you that the TDK AM tapes I recently posted about are performing quite well with what's far from easy-listening or orchestral music. Specifically, Miles Davis "On The Corner," which is a very involved instrumental album that has a lot of deep bass and 'busy' parts. However, this is the first and only time I've used one of these tapes. I've also had success with the Akai SX. I'm about to try the Fuji DR-I.

[Mr. Lin]

Hi Braxus,

I see its it's just about 11pm for you - I've just got up in sunny SA. The planet is still here - the coffee is good and so are your pictures.

Take care - Marc

Hi Marc,
It's 2am here and I'm just preparing to go to bed - plus I have to work tomorrow!