Anybody used Fuji DR-I with a Nak?

[Mr. Lin]

I ask because I'm having problems with this specific tape on my BX-1. The first time I tried recording something rock oriented and perhaps a bit too challenging, and based on the distorted outcome I figured I'd set the levels too high. So last night I tried recording some ambient music, which hits much of the frequency range and is dynamic enough to give me a taste of what the tape can do, but not too challenging for a type I, and I also carefully set the levels to peak at 0db. Same outcome, the tape sounds awful.

Talking to NAD about this, he suggested the Fuji tapes might not be compatible with my deck, but this seems like a pretty extreme compatibility issue. I'd expect mediocre results if a tape is not compatible with a particular deck, but this is pretty bad. Thus, I need to know who among you have used the DR-I with a Nak, what Nak model, and what the outcome was.

BTW, as I pointed out to NAD, the tape I've had the most issues with since I've started recording in earnest is the DR-II, which further supports or suggests a compatibility issue.

[NAD613]

Who knows; maybe the Nak folks had a long-standing feud with Fuji & vowed that their tapes would never sound good in a Nak deck. Probably not, but I've used the Fuji DR-II in my NAD & Sony decks & the Fuji DR-I in my NAD deck without any problems ever.

[Acoustic]

Interesting. I have never used a Type I on any of my Naks but with my two CR-5's the Fuji DR-II 90's sound great taped with peaks to +5db with no NR. I usually have the bias a little to the left but not past the first marker. The only time I heard distortion on a DR-II was when I was taping a CD (usually I tape FM)... forgot to reset the master volume.. and on playback heard distortion only when the meter's pegged at +10db.

[Mr. Lin]

Interesting. I have never used a Type I on any of my Naks but with my two CR-5's the Fuji DR-II 90's sound great taped with peaks to +5db with no NR. I usually have the bias a little to the left but not past the first marker. The only time I heard distortion on a DR-II was when I was taping a CD (usually I tape FM)... forgot to reset the master volume.. and on playback heard distortion only when the meter's pegged at +10db.

Even though I've had some problems with the DR-II taping from CDs, overall they still came out just fine, and I'll use them again. I'm on a little type I kick right now, just appreciating them for what they are, so I was very disappointed that the DR-I isn't working out. Needless to say your CR-5 is vastly different from my Nak, so who knows. I will note that the CR-5 is the exact deck I plan on getting next as it meets all of my requirements and then some, not the least of which is that the deck has to be a Nak!:D I would even prefer it over the CR-7 because I'd rather have manual bias controls.

[NAD613]

Have you tried more than one DR-I? Maybe you just got a bad one.

[Marc Hugo]

Have you tried more than one DR-I? Maybe you just got a bad one.

Yes, NAD, I think that's a very good point. Both sides of the tape and then another sample. I does seem peculiar.

There should not be a massive difference in the ability of a CR-5 and a BX-1 to handle a modern ferric - both should come out smelling of roses.

I hope this works out for you Mr Lin - have you made a sizeable investment in this tape type?

Cheers - Marc

[Mr. Lin]

Yes, NAD, I think that's a very good point. Both sides of the tape and then another sample. I does seem peculiar.

There should not be a massive difference in the ability of a CR-5 and a BX-1 to handle a modern ferric - both should come out smelling of roses.

I hope this works out for you Mr Lin - have you made a sizeable investment in this tape type?

Cheers - Marc

Not at all Marc, fortunately. I think I have four two-packs, and we all know how cheap these are, so it's no big deal. If it's a compatibility thing then I'll just keep them for another time when I have a different deck. Right now I haven't got the time to test another one because I just got some NOS Denon DX-3 and DX-4 tapes, and I'm having fun with those. The Denons, by the way, are fully compatible and so far rather impressive. :)