Tape Switch Boxes

[Rat44]

Switch Boxes For Tape decks are getting harder to come by.
I haven't seen any for a long time.
Are there any preferred models ?
Adding a RTR to my stable has me looking for more inputs.
I need to have my CD player and at least 2 tape decks in my system.
It is also hooked up to my computer for media server duty which uses a tape loop circuit.
What are my options ?

[Warped Bezel]

Switch Boxes For Tape decks are getting harder to come by.
I haven't seen any for a long time.
Are there any preferred models ?
Adding a RTR to my stable has me looking for more inputs.
I need to have my CD player and at least 2 tape decks in my system.
It is also hooked up to my computer for media server duty which uses a tape loop circuit.
What are my options ?

I saw a Russound patchbay on eBay I would prefer to a little box but I'll bet it's sold.

[Warped Bezel]

HERE IT IS!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RUSSOUND-SP-1-PATCH-BAY-HOME-AUDIO-TESTED-WORKS-GREAT-CLEAN-/300626507136

[VintageSteve]

As for the vintage types, how about something like the DBX Program route selector:
http://www.tapeheads.net/showpost.php?p=47197&postcount=1
There are a bunch listed on the 'bay...

or the Akai DS-5
(none on the 'bay at present)

or Sony Tapecorder SB-500
(one listed)

or Sony ASS-300
(couple listed)

[VintageSteve]

HERE IT IS!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RUSSOUND-SP-1-PATCH-BAY-HOME-AUDIO-TESTED-WORKS-GREAT-CLEAN-/300626507136

Nice versatile looking unit!

[Rat44]

As for the vintage types, how about something like the DBX Program route selector:
http://www.tapeheads.net/showpost.php?p=47197&postcount=1
There are a bunch listed on the 'bay...

or the Akai DS-5
(none on the 'bay at present)

or Sony Tapecorder SB-500
(one listed)

or Sony ASS-300
(couple listed)

The DBX looks like its perfect.
Are they reliable ?
And noise free ?

[VintageSteve]

The DBX looks like its perfect.
Are they reliable ?
And noise free ?

The dbx 200 is entirely passive. No plugging it in to electricity like the dbx 400. So the only source of noise would be dirty switches or jacks. I have one of these in my stack-o-stuff that I want to play with one of these days....
I'd think a careful inspection and cleaning with DeOxit would be warranted. Can't speak to their reliability but it seems they'd probably be pretty trouble free. *scratchchin*

[Rat44]

That looks like a good basic unit.
I had a Niles? unit long ago.
Got it from a Pacific Stereo that closed down.
Thanks for the headsup.

[Rat44]

Is there any difference between the DBX 200 and 200X other than the cosmetics ?
I seen both versions on the Bay.

[vinyldavid]

The DBX units are very good. The 400 is COMPLETELY passive, the electricity only powers the lights. If you do not have it plugged in it still works the same.

[Rat44]

The DBX units are very good. The 400 is COMPLETELY passive, the electricity only powers the lights. If you do not have it plugged in it still works the same.

Thanks David.
Looks like DBX and Niles are options.
Anything else out there that I might want to look for ?

[Warped Bezel]

Nice versatile looking unit!

Yeah, I know...Wish I could.

[Old Busted Hotness]

I have a 6-input, 2-output video selector that I got from MCM. It's not exactly a tape center, but it's handy.

[Arnold_Layne]

Russound TMS-2 handles 5 tape decks. I use one of these for my Nakamichi decks. I also use a Sony SB-500 for my reel to reel decks. It handles for three tape decks. Both units are passive.

A_L

[oldaudioscho]

The DBX 200X is a very versitile piece of equipment, including having optional rack mount brackets. The front panel has a combination of push buttons and rotary switches. It's capable of handling three tape decks, plus three EQ,s or other processors. In addition you can attach two NR units. It also allows for dubbing capabilities. It comes with a complete wiring diagram printed on the top of the unit. If you don't attach NR units to the router you must have the U-shaped jumpers in place or the router won't work. All jumpers aren't created equal. One's designed for Pioneer's won't work. However, jumpers from Marantz are the same size. Or you can used RCA cables. It takes four wires. The only drawback to the 200X router is that if you decide to use all the functions, it takes a very large hand full of cables to hook everything up.

[Skywavebe]

Hi Rat44,
I came across this same problem many years ago. When I was in high school I built my own system using toggle switches from Radio Shack. I only had three or four units then.
After some expansion, I was on the look for some better stuff. I ended up with a unit called a Nakamichi 610 Preamp which worked well for many years- I still have it in fact.
Other solution are the addition of an equalizer that will give you two decks use for one tape loop used up. Something like a Teac EQA20 or so.
The final solution I came to was the use of a mixer Tascam M50. For this you need room and have to have use of such a thing. It takes in 12 inputs and has 8 busses. So that means you can effectively transfer 4 stereo signals at the same time. It all depends on how far you are willing to go. I think quality wise the better mixer is going to be better buffered and have a better frequency response than some older alps switches. I would also do a frequency sweep on some of these boxes as depending on when they were made there could be cheap solid core wire connecting the switches that might not be soldered too well. Non shielded wire in near proximity can cause crosstalk between connections.
It does no good to invest in expensive equipment if the linking hardware is some 50 cent switch. There are a lot of Tascam patch bays on E bay once in a while, I have purchased the RCA and 1/4" types with few problems. These also mount in a Middle Atlantic rack furniture as a lot of radio stations use as well as many home studios. The Middle Atlantic products are easy to obtain from Broadcasters General Store in FL.

[Nick Sunn]

There was a very inexpensive
STEREO TAPE CONTROL CENTER
(that Radio Shack sold 25 , or 20+ years ago)
Realistic TAPE CONTROL CENTER

a passive black colored box that was approx 6 inches by 4 inches by 2 inches,
It had four mohawk style round knob selectors across the front
(from left to right:
____________RECORDING________________ ---------MONITOR-----
l
-------DECK 1--------DECK 2-------DECK 3--



the selector switches for decks 1, 2 , and 3
were three position switches with the
positions of each being "11 o'clock", "12 o'clock" , and "1 o'clock"
in reference to the hour positions on a clock.


The fourth mohawk style round knob AT FAR RIGHT for the MONITOR
function was a four position switch.
This MONITOR function switch
had "source" at "11 o'clock
had "deck 1" at "12 o'clock"
had "deck 2 " at "1 o'clock"
had "deck 3" at "2 o'clock"

-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
the three position selector switches located at LEFT of Monitor switch:
DECK 1 had SOURCE/DECK 2/DECK3

DECK 2 had SOURCE/DECK1/DECK3

DECK 3 had SOURCE/DECK1/DECK2

--------------------------------------------------------------------
It was a fairly simple arrangement and functioned very well.
I don't know if the quality is comparable to other devices from better nameplates, but it functions well.
____________________________________
Page 9 of the owner's manual ---SPECIFICATIONS-----:
"Output readings are taken across a non-reactive 47 kohms loaded.
The generator impedance should be 600 ohms.

Channel Separation at 1kHz: 70db
Input 150mV and 4.7kohms terminated

Crosstalk between function at 1kHz 70db
Input 150mV and 4.7kohms terminated

Total gain at 1kHz: 0db "

____________
On page 10 there is a schematic diagram
It appears to be a very simple construction of switches and RCA jacks
__________________________________________________ ___________
__________________________________________________ __________
REALISTIC Cat No. 42-2115
__________________________________________________ ____________

[Nick Sunn]

*reelspin**reelspin*

re: The Realistic 42-2115 TAPE CONTROL CENTER

(according to my ancient one's owners manual, it says (c) 1990 Tandy Corporation, so I'm certain that I probably purchased it in 1990.


HERE IS A PICTURE OF a REALISTIC 42-2115 that is just like the one that I have. The pictures are from a ebay auction that ended in Oct 2011where another Realistic 42-2115 sold for less than twenty dollars.
I seem to remember that Radio shack sold these new back in the day, twenty plus years ago for either $24.95 or $19.95 Retail price, NEW.

here are picture(s)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/REALISTIC-STEREO-TAPE-CONTROL-CENTER-MINT-BOX-MANUAL-/170711093799


Radio Shack made other similar tape control selector boxes that were basically much the same except they had levers instead of knobs.
That Realistic 42-2115 model is a nice looking small box that works well after 20+ years. They should be easy to locate , once you research the various model numbers that were produced, so that you know how to search/find them on ebay. At least, you should be able to easily find the Realistic 42-2115, now that you know its model number.
There are tons of those things around. Nobody wants them any more, as most people have been or are getting rid of all of their tape decks and related equipment. (Except of course, Tape Enthusiasts, and tapeheads... and analog nuts....) The overall trend though has most people discarding or unloading such stuff on ebay, etc. Nobody really knows what to call those tape switch boxes, so they probably list them as Realistic TAPE CONTROL CENTER 42-2115 , or something like that.
If you know the model number and maker of these type devices, you'll likely find it easier to locate them on ebay for very little cost, because nobody that has them wants them and they don't know any other use for them.
You should be able to find them for next to nothing in terms of dollar cost.
Search ebay for them.

[Warped Bezel]

I need more than that anymore, but yes, when I had THREE of them they helped quite a bit.

[Rat44]

Just found a Realistic equalizer that was given to me a while ago.
I remember plugging it in to see if it worked .
Never had a use for equalizers,especially ones with the fancy light shows.
This one is a ten band with the Spectrum Display led panel in the middle(31-2020A).
It has a stereo expander licensed by Sci-Coustics built in.
But it has 2 tape loops,yeah!
At least I can use it until a switch box shows up in my sights.
Anybody have a DBX 200 they don't need anymore ?
Seen a RS tape box at the record store this weekend but it looked like a pretty cheaply made plastic box.

[Warped Bezel]

No, really they are fairly sturdy! I broke the monitor knob last year but I repaired it. They are very well designed.

[ke4mcl]

im staring at a DBX200x i just unpacked. it was NOS. 3 tape loops, 3 processor loops. i dont think i'll need anything else.

[Rat44]

Nice.
Those seem be a well made unit .

[Eminence1963]

Seen a RS tape box at the record store this weekend but it looked like a pretty cheaply made plastic box.[/QUOTE]

I have a DBX 200 and a Rat Shack box.*beer*
I cant tell the difference sound wise between the 2.*no*
But the DBX will make your wallet lighter that the Rat Shack Box*eyepop*

[robert1946]

Switch Boxes For Tape decks are getting harder to come by.
I haven't seen any for a long time.
Are there any preferred models ?
Adding a RTR to my stable has me looking for more inputs.
I need to have my CD player and at least 2 tape decks in my system.
It is also hooked up to my computer for media server duty which uses a tape loop circuit.
What are my options ?

I use the Teac EQA-20, for the switch box. It has 2 tape monitors and two line inputs. Hooked up correctly it adds 2 tape monitors to 1 monitor system and 2 line inputs, or 3 tape monitors to a 2 tape monitor system and the 2 line inputs. Plus you get the equalizer that can used or not. I got 3 of them. Will part with one.

[Rat44]

My RS looks just like a clone of the Teac EQA-20.
It will work with out being powered up,the power is for the light display and stereo expander.
Thank you for the offer.

[Rat44]

I see that DBX had 3 versions of the 200.
A plain 200, a 200x and a 200xg.
Does anybody have any experience with the different versions ?
I am narrowing the choice down to a DBX 200 or a Niles box.
Tried using the RS equalizer but is a little noisy.

[StereoGaryo]

The Niles TSB-3 is an excellent switcher.
That's what I own.

[Time_Stand_Still]

The Niles TSB-3 is an excellent switcher.
That's what I own.

DITTO!

No issues with mine. Great value.

[Rat44]

Those Niles boxes look nice,simple and business like.
Can't seem to find any used though,they must be in demand.

[Warped Bezel]

To my knowledge, Niles and Russound may be related.

[Big Kelv]

I have 2 switch boxes that are redundant, the only problem is that they both use 5 pin DIN connectors. Both are in perfect working order.

One is a QED model - built like a tank using high quality switches (replaced by the 3 deck version with RCA connections). The other is made by 'ARROW', a little simpler to understand but the switch gear not as high quality.

They are free to a good home - All I ask is taker pays postage. First refusal goes to Rat44.

Regards, Kelv

[Rat44]

Unfortunately none of my equipment uses DIN .
But thanks for the offer.

[Big Kelv]

Unfortunately none of my equipment uses DIN .
But thanks for the offer.

I bought adapters but couldn't get satisfactory result - decent cables to cheap adapters and the ball ache of getting the colour codes to match up. It was getting too complicated.

The 5 pin DIN connections were common here in Europe during the 70s and early 80s, 2 of my decks have both RCA and DIN connections but the input/output levels made it a nightmare to work with for ease of use. If all of my decks had DIN connections, it would be a no brainer!

Regards, Kelv

[Rat44]

Just an update.
Thanks to Oldaudioscho I am now the proud owner of a DBX 200X.
It works great and makes my life a whole lot easier.
A BIG thanks to Ron.*bigthumbup*

[Bandwidth]

I have two of the SONY SB-300 boxes and one of the Realistic Tape Selectors. The RS is all plastic with lightweight switchgear. But they work. The SONY is a little jewel with a cast aluminum case and much more robust switchgear. Have used those for many years without a hitch. They can be had fairly easily on Ebay for a reasonable sum.