I know I said I wouldn't collect tapes, but...

[Mr. Lin]

I just got my hands on this XLI-S, and I don't know if I have the heart to open it. From Des-Lab's Maxell gallery in this forum it appears to be from the very first series of these, but please enlighten me if I'm wrong about that. The wrapper is wrinkled but you would be too if you'd been stored in a box for the last 30 years.

So now what? Do I just look at it? :D I've already done quite a bit of that. I'm thinking I should hunt down more of these for actual use (I've never used one) and perhaps this will be a rare exception to my "cassettes are to be used" rule. Of course, there is the XLI-S 46 I also recently acquired, but I'm saving that for the time when I figure out how to set everything up so I can conveniently record from vinyl to cassette.

That is my little rant for the evening, thanks for reading. Here's a picture for your time.

Dave

[Scorpion8]

It is a conundrum. Hence my desire to part with that rack of XLII-S's awhile back for something I wouldn't feel guilty about using. Once opened, the remaining stock of those tapes goes down by one. But if you don't use it, then what purpose does it serve other than to look pretty.

I never solved the dilema, so I made it easy for myself and traded them away ....

I feel your pain .....

[Mr. Lin]

I'm of the mind that we should use these NOS tapes and enjoy them for what they are, regardless of how well they perform. I've struggled with this with a number of other tapes already and ultimately opened them and used them, but in a lot of cases I have a spare to keep sealed. In the end chances are I will open this and put some music on it.

[MacGyver]

you really shouldn't open it. for all you know, that could be the last sealed example on the planet!! it is always good policy to get at least two of any NOS tape: one to use, one to preserve...

[Mr. Lin]

I know there's at least one more, that's the one I was outbid on. :)

[Marc Hugo]

Hi Mr Lin,

I agree with Lady Ayeka - one for the showcase and the others for the most important cassette user you know. Yup, that's you!!

I would estimate that pretty thing to be 25-26 years old - I have 2 unwrapped XLII-S 90s of the same era, bought in '83, but I do have an ad placed by Maxell in a mag around the end of '82 describing the dropping of the "UD" tag and having pics of all the tapes in the range - that one included.

You will love it - it is an early version of the (my opinion) best type I ever made. Although there are excellent alternatives from TDK and Sony, I'm such a Maxell diehard that I'm probably not impartial. You're a real TDK fan (at least for the SA-X) so you owe it to yourself to get your hands on a TDK AR-X or AD-X (very rare). The AR will surprise you though - some preferred it to the AR-X.

Cheers - Marc

[Mr. Lin]

Hi Mr Lin,

I agree with Lady Ayeka - one for the showcase and the others for the most important cassette user you know. Yup, that's you!!

I would estimate that pretty thing to be 25-26 years old - I have 2 unwrapped XLII-S 90s of the same era, bought in '83, but I do have an ad placed by Maxell in a mag around the end of '82 describing the dropping of the "UD" tag and having pics of all the tapes in the range - that one included.

You will love it - it is an early version of the (my opinion) best type I ever made. Although there are excellent alternatives from TDK and Sony, I'm such a Maxell diehard that I'm probably not impartial. You're a real TDK fan (at least for the SA-X) so you owe it to yourself to get your hands on a TDK AR-X or AD-X (very rare). The AR will surprise you though - some preferred it to the AR-X.

Cheers - Marc

Thank you Marc. I have been trying to get my hands on a TDK AR-X but you're right, they're hard to find.

[Des-Lab]

Ya buy 10, use 9 and save one sealed one.

Check out my Maxell framed display collection here. I have one more that I haven't done yet and am one tape short of being able to do another. Just something about this is appealing. I know that Braxus ran with my idea and did a few of his own. But prior to me showing these to the world, I know of no other person who did this and publically displayed them.

http://x-2000r.angelcities.com/images/tapestuff/TapeWallWhole.JPG

[dr.bo]

I wish those guys at spin magazine would contact you to use a photo of your displays! Those are awesome! dr.bo

[Des-Lab]

He sent me a PM offering to do a phone interview. He set a time and everything. And poof! Just like Houdini. Vanished. Skipped. Never heard from him again. Oh well. I too love my displays-hence why they are so prominently displayed in my stereo room. If him or someone else wanted to use these, I could always take more pix.

And BTW: Dr Bo.....just FYI: The orange LN is the one I got from you. Now you know why I needed it! Now if I could just find a yellow and orange LN C-90...

[braxus]

I know that Braxus ran with my idea and did a few of his own. But prior to me showing these to the world, I know of no other person who did this and publically displayed them.

A FEW?! You weren't kidding on me running with the idea. I REALLY ran with the idea of yours. Since the room everything is in has been reorganized, I actually have the wall space I needed for those extra frames I planned a while back. Im currently looking to buy 5 more frames so I can put those extra tapes into them. And Im still looking for a couple tapes or so to complete everything up. If anyone has an idea of where I can get a Denon HG-M tape, let me know. When all is said and done, I'll have 15 frames on the wall. Don't even ask how much all this cost me to do. I think I lost count.

[Des-Lab]

Your Vertex seems to be suspiciously missing. :-?

[braxus]

Your Vertex seems to be suspiciously missing. :-?

Don't worry Matt. I have it. That frame I was going to put it into is now being split into two frames. One frame has both the chrome and metal variants of the Denon, Sony, and TDK high end tapes. I actually took out the That's Suono tape if you missed it. That Souno, Vertex, and a few others are going into a frame I have yet to get. She's having problems getting them in. I have to wait till she does. The frames themselves ran between $17-20 each (depending when I got them off her). Tally up 15 of them, and then the price of all these collectors tapes and you got some good money hanging on the wall.

I wouldn't begin to put a price tag on your tapes hanging. The pics below are of some of the tapes I've set aside to put into the frames I have yet to get. I still have some I haven't received yet. Oh and there is your Vertex Matt. :P

[Des-Lab]

I have no intention of selling that collection. Not unless some other collector offers me a price that I would be simply nuts to pass up. I'm talking four figures here. Until someone shows proof to the contrary, that collection is probably a one of a kind and the most complete Maxell lineup in one place anywhere. It took me many years and a lot of expense to build that collection. So I don't reckon it'll be going anywhere.

Anyway, the empty space in the upper right is reserved for one more collection. But it won't go up until I get the last tape to make it with. And then I'll probably put the other much smaller lineup in the space below and to the right of the Capsule/UDX-II collection. I have the tapes and they are ready. I just need to get the frame.

[MacGyver]

you're quite right about that, matt. to me, a one of a kind collection such as that would be, well, priceless. that, plus factoring in the time you have spent assembling it, and, IMO, it would take a HELL of a lot more than four figures to wrest it from my possession. my friend, you likely have a collection the envy of every analog compact cassette collector in the world. wear that proudly... :-)<-

[Naknut]

Des-Lab and Braxus, to display your sickness so wantonly!?
BTW... Beautiful!!

[Des-Lab]

Then you obviously have not encountered the images of my cassette and reel tape stash.

If the frame displays made you nauseous, then those will make you produce a kidney. *naughty*

[Mr. Lin]

Ya buy 10, use 9 and save one sealed one.


I would Des, believe me I would, if only I knew someone who had these to sell... :D

[Des-Lab]

Got your PM. Not intentionally ignoring you. I've had a very long day and am about to shut down for the evening. I promise I'll have an answer and offer for you tomorrow.

[NAD613]

I would Des, believe me I would, if only I knew someone who had these to sell... :D

I promise that if I come across a time machine, I'll go back to 1989 & by several boxes of whatever tapes you want. This will also give me the opportunity to buy a case of Sony HF-S 90. Man, how I wish Sony never quit making that tape!

[TheReeler]

I thought I was rare... but with reels I've done two DIY small projects to show some reels at home and with a zero WAT factor.


A reel lamp:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/thereeler/reellamp2.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/thereeler/reellamp1.jpg



A reel clock:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/thereeler/reelclock1.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/thereeler/reelclock2.jpg



Most people who came home usually ask about them *Hi5*

[Mr. Lin]

Got your PM. Not intentionally ignoring you. I've had a very long day and am about to shut down for the evening. I promise I'll have an answer and offer for you tomorrow.

No problem, I actually thought my message was probably lost amidst a bunch of others you got at the same time.

[Mr. Lin]

TheReeler: That's really cool, I especially like the reel ceiling lamp.

[TheReeler]

It's the easiest DIY project that anyone can do :)