Any knowledge on Type II metal tape?

[niklasthedolphin]

Any knowledge on Type II metal tape as a post on AK (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2107446#post2107446) Today, Monday 01:08 AM, claims to exist?

I'm just curious.
I never heard about it.

"dolph"

[macster]

If it was me, I would post the question on NAKTalks. You'll be famous.

M~

[niklasthedolphin]

If it was me, I would post the question on NAKTalks. You'll be famous.

M~

Famous for not knowing the tape or famous for revealing a type II metal tape hoax never brought to my knowledge before?

I prefer to stay incognito.

"dolph"

[macster]

Famous for not knowing the tape or famous for revealing a type II metal tape hoax never brought to my knowledge before?

I prefer to stay incognito.

"dolph"

Ha ha ha. Yeah, me too. But it would make the "day" interesting. It might actually be kind of fun to see how this would be "perceived" by some of the folks on the list.

M~

[braxus]

Two such tapes are TDK HX-S and Denon HD8 tapes. Both are metal particle tapes that can be used in the chrome position.

[niklasthedolphin]

Two such tapes are TDK HX-S and Denon HD8 tapes. Both are metal particle tapes that can be used in the chrome position.

Do you by any chance have the data sheets on these tapes from either the wrapping, box or somewhere on the net?

Kindly

"dolph"

[Marc Hugo]

Quite right Braxus,

Add to that That's EM-X, later tweaked and became the CD-MH. Awesome tape for me, but not for everyone - the sensitivity curve goes parabolic from about 12kHz; this cannot be tamed. This makes it quite noisy, but the upside (if you'll excuse the pun) is that it will take more searing treble than any other type II and most metals. Only for the brave hearted.

Marc

[niklasthedolphin]

I wonder if those tapes claimed to be position II metal tapes realy are metal tapes or just alloy mocked up Crome.

I can see on the box of TDK HX-S that it contains metal particles.
I wonder what metal that is that makes it som different in calibration settings than other metal tapes.
I also wonder why they have a reputation (i reckon from a little research on the web) of wearing down the heads faster then prunes makes you s...?

So far I found that these tapes are type II metal:


TDK HX-S
Denon HD8
3M BlackWatch 2020


Please add up if know of other tapes of this kind.
Also describe your experiences with these kind of tapes.

If anybody has data sheets on any of these, please be kind to upload photos or scans or whatever.

I would like to get to know what differs in the metal particle type used in these and used in type IV metal tapes.

By the way; I read somewhere people stating that TDK HX-S, Denon HD8 and 3M BlackWatch 2020 should be same tape formulation made as badge engineering by only one of the producers.
I can refute this.
I have cassette tape tests lying from differnt years.
In one particular test called "Cassettte Test UPdate - 49 formulations", Howard A. Roberson measures the Denon HD8 and the TDK HX-S and the results are very differnt in all aspects.

And from those tests I can see these type II metal tapes participating in, the TDK HX-S seem to end in the very low end of stars......everytime.........and that's even when compared to other type II tapes.
Wonder why?

"dolph"

[Marc Hugo]

By the way; I read somewhere people stating that TDK HX-S, Denon HD8 and 3M BlackWatch 2020 should be same tape formulation made as badge engineering by only one of the producers.
I can refute this.
I have cassette tape tests lying from differnt years.
In one particular test called "Cassettte Test UPdate - 49 formulations", Howard A. Roberson measures the Denon HD8 and the TDK HX-S and the results are very differnt in all aspects.

And from those tests I can see these type II metal tapes participating in, the TDK HX-S seem to end in the very low end of stars......everytime.........and that's even when compared to other type II tapes.
Wonder why?

"dolph"

HI Dolph,

I too have all those Audio Mag reviews and they are terrific. Of course for the concept of the "overall score", one has to take the late Howard Roberson with a pinch of salt. It was these "ratings" or scores - which his successor, Edward J. Foster, while deeply respectful of Roberson, did not think to be useful. Howard Roberson also placed into the rating things such as the quality and layout of the j-card, how the tape was wrapped etc. Nonetheless, he was thorough, to say the least.

Of course all that "smarta.." stuff you trip over on the internet about this or that tape being made by some other manufacturer - it happens, yes - hardware manufacturers had brand specific tapes made by major tape makers because it was not their core business. But as for the Japanese companies like Denon having their tapes being made by someone else, say, Sony, when they had more than enough of their own resources is illogical and invariably without foundation. Philosophically, it borders on the absurd when you consider the extreme competition between these firms. In any case, if they measure differently, they are different.

I mentioned Nippon Columbia (Denon) specifically somewhere here in the last week so its covered.

But you know, Dolph - sometimes folks are odd. There you have the measured data from Mr Roberson right on front of you, and you can share it till you're blue in the face, but these stories will still proliferate.

I'll see what I can find for you on these "off-the-wall' cassettes.

All the best - Marc