Let's Put Together A Wish List!

[4tified]

Okay, so it seems some of us have access to certain equipment and tape brands/types that are scarce or impossible to find in other parts of the country/world and vice versa. For those of us who would like to, post your wish-list of things that you have a hard time finding so that others who may come across that certain thing can send it to you. Guess I'll go first.

I'm looking for some metal (Type IV) tapes....other than the Sony SR's I have, which just sound like glorified Type II's. Even just one decent metal tape (like a TDK MA or MA-G or Sony Metal Master). I haven't gotten a chance to hear what a TRUE type IV tape sounds like. Anybody got a spare they'd let go for free or for a trade? Got some FeCr's in mint condition....*reelspin**reelspin*

[Scorpion8]

Are the FeCr's used or new? I've got some once-used Maxell MX and MX-S tapes that could be provided.

[MacGyver]

me? not looking for much, simply some 1987-era TDK MA-XGs, open or sealed, 46 or 90...

[Des-Lab]

The one thing that's on my "wish list" more than anything right now would be a sealed or at least clean c.1975 Maxell LN C-90 (yellow and orange) cassette tape. It is the one missing piece from an otherwise complete collection I'm sitting on that I plan to eventually make a display case out of.

Next is my turntable. I was going to ask Mrs Des to buy it for me for my birthday. But when that unexpected $1500 repair bill for the Pony came up, I deferred that purchase. Now I'll likely put it off till Christmas. Unless, of course all you fellow tapeheads wish to chip in and get it for me. If a hundred of you chipped in just $5, I could get it. Then I could join the "vinyl" club. *hope*

As far as tape goes, I'm pretty well stocked. I have pretty much all of the Premium Maxell and Denon Type I's, II's, and IV's I could ever want in including Vertex's. Same with reel tape. I have all I could ever possibly want and given my recording habits, is almost surely far more than I will ever use.

If I were to say I'd want more of anything, it would be more 1985 XLI and XLI-S tapes. But that'd be hard. Being that those Maxell's are essentially impossible to find, ANYONE who found any would almost surely keep them to themselves.

Now if someone could hook me up with certain Japanese versions of C-90's, then I'd be interested in listening.

[4tified]

Are the FeCr's used or new? I've got some once-used Maxell MX and MX-S tapes that could be provided.

The FeCr's are opened, but they look perfect. Maybe used once or twice for archival. I'll get back with you on the Maxell MX's... Thanks!

[Scorpion8]

I'll get back with you on the Maxell MX's... Thanks!

Sounds like a good swap. Lemme know...

[NAD613]

A box of sealed Sony HF-S 90's for $1.49 at some flea market/thrift store somewhere.

[Des-Lab]

Finding out that this "sale" was for "reel".

Oh to have seen the looks on some peoples faces the first time they saw it...would've been PRICELESS.



I figure their first impression was *eyepop**omg*

Only to become *yousuck**dammit* after they found out it was a hoax.

And plenty of *flame* for me.

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

[NAD613]

Des, I'll take 10 cases of the Maxell XLII-S 90 @ 60 cents per cassette. I'll pay in Monopoly money if that's alright.

[Scorpion8]

Oh to have seen the looks on some peoples faces the first time they saw it...would've been PRICELESS.

Careful now, I "was" one of those people ..... *fit*

[NAD613]

I also wish I could find some 10 ct. boxes of TDK SM-X 90 cassettes for $5/box. Heck, I'd snatch them up for $25/box.

[braxus]

All Im after at the moment is a Denon HG-M which Im currently bidding on, so please everyone don't outbid me. I need it to complete a frame I have for it.

And Matt I will eventually get a hold of you about ordering some more tapes. Not sure when, but eventually.

[gamve]

This hoax is another form of cruel and unusual punishment for being a Tapehead.

[4tified]

This hoax is another form of cruel and unusual punishment for being a Tapehead.


Yeah...it sure is :mad:

[braxus]

This hoax is another form of cruel and unusual punishment for being a Tapehead.

I remember when I posted that ad for Matt on AK. It didn't take long for someone to post the disclaimer on the ad for everyone to see.

[Marc Hugo]

Although I have plenty, I am still acquisituve on some things....

Cassettes: (some I have one or none, but would like a few more...)

TDK HX-S, Denon HD-7, Denon HD-8, TDK AR-X, Maxell Metal Vertex, That's Metal Suono, Sony Metal-ES, Sony HF-S(agree fully NAD613), Sony UX-ES, Scotch Metafine IV, Fuji FR Metal.... and more

Decks:

Alpine/Alpage AL-85, AL-90, Akai GX-8 and/or GX 95II, one of the good Luxmans, Pioneer CT-670D, Pioneer CT-95/1100L, Sony TC-Ka9ES....and more

On some things I'm instatiable!!

Certain music too - seems unfindable.

Keep those dreams alive (and keep that search running) - have a great Sunday all.

Marc

[braxus]

Decks:

Alpine/Alpage AL-85, AL-90, ... Sony TC-Ka9ES....

The Luxman K-04 and K-05 may be more to your liking over the Alpine variants, but they are basically the same decks. Also with the Sony- I think you meant TC-KA7ES, as there never was a A9ES.

[Scorpion8]

Cassettes: (some I have one or none, but would like a few more...)

TDK HX-S, Denon HD-7, Denon HD-8, TDK AR-X, Maxell Metal Vertex, That's Metal Suono, Sony Metal-ES, Sony HF-S(agree fully NAD613), Sony UX-ES, Scotch Metafine IV, Fuji FR Metal.... and more

Marc, I have quite the stash of HD7 and -8. Whatcha got to trade?

[Marc Hugo]

The Luxman K-04 and K-05 may be more to your liking over the Alpine variants, but they are basically the same decks. Also with the Sony- I think you meant TC-KA7ES, as there never was a A9ES.

Thanks Braxus - and thanks for those magnificent pictures of the machine on your new post dedicated to that machine.

On the Luxmans - I think you may be right. I have seldom come across a more capable machine than my Alpage AL-50 - yet it is a mid-range unit. I must seriously look out for a Luxman equivalent to the AL-85/90 as that would be, although not common by any means, a bit easier to find.

Cheers - Marc

[Marc Hugo]

Marc, I have quite the stash of HD7 and -8. Whatcha got to trade?

Hi Scorpion,

I will open my box of treasures and see what would be attractive and interesting for you.

Cheers - Marc

[macster]

Tapes
Brand Quanity
Maxell XLII 250
Maxell UDXLI 9
Maxell UD 15
Maxell UDS 14
Maxell UR 71
Maxell Communicator 14
TDK SA (various) 700
TDK SAX 40
TDK MA 47
TDK MAX 10
TDK MAR (not for sale) 12
TDK D 159
TDK CD 18
TDK CD Power 15
Fuji Hi Bias 6
Sony SR metal 3
Denon HD6 2
Akai GX 40
Akai SX 40
Memorex DBS (NOS) 35
Sony HF 8
Ampex Normal 3
Sony CD IT 9


Tape Decks
Brand Quanity
Nak CR7A (s) (not for sale) 2
Nak CR5A (s) 1
Nak CR3A 1
Nak CR2A 1
Nak CR1A 1
Nak BX-150 (s) 1
Revox B-215 (s) (not for sale) 1
Revox B-215 1
Tascam 122MKIII (s) 2
Tandberg 3014 1
Tandberg 3014A 1
(s) = serviced

M~

[Des-Lab]

Maybe if you could post some pictures of some of the Maxell's you have, *I* might be interested in some. You can also pull some pictures from The Maxell Cassette Tape Collection (http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=285) to show us which ones they are and save time.

[Marc Hugo]

Okay, so it seems some of us have access to certain equipment and tape brands/types that are scarce or impossible to find in other parts of the country/world and vice versa. For those of us who would like to, post your wish-list of things that you have a hard time finding so that others who may come across that certain thing can send it to you. Guess I'll go first.

I'm looking for some metal (Type IV) tapes....other than the Sony SR's I have, which just sound like glorified Type II's. Even just one decent metal tape (like a TDK MA or MA-G or Sony Metal Master). I haven't gotten a chance to hear what a TRUE type IV tape sounds like. Anybody got a spare they'd let go for free or for a trade? Got some FeCr's in mint condition....*reelspin**reelspin*

Hi 4tified,

I was looking for this post. Regarding the Sony Metal SR: what cassette deck are you using? A Sony Metal SR definitely should not perform like a type II as it is indeed a quite genuine type IV. The reason I ask is that some decks do not give of their best with metals due to the higher head current required to kick them into line. I'm not talking about a deck being able to record on metal per the manual etc. The rec head op amp gets a higher VA belt at the metal setting.

I looked up various tests last nights on the SR and it gives a solid account of itself in general. You mention the TDK MA for instance. It's a bit brighter but also needs more calibration to the tame the hot treble. The other two are double layer metals.

Let us know!!

Marc

[4tified]

Hi 4tified,

I was looking for this post. Regarding the Sony Metal SR: what cassette deck are you using? A Sony Metal SR definitely should not perform like a type II as it is indeed a quite genuine type IV. The reason I ask is that some decks do not give of their best with metals due to the higher head current required to kick them into line. I'm not talking about a deck being able to record on metal per the manual etc. The rec head op amp gets a higher VA belt at the metal setting.

I looked up various tests last nights on the SR and it gives a solid account of itself in general. You mention the TDK MA for instance. It's a bit brighter but also needs more calibration to the tame the hot treble. The other two are double layer metals.

Let us know!!

Marc


Well, one the one of the decks I've tried the SR on was on my Onkyo TA-2600 (with manual adjustable bias)....it seemed to lack clarity and depth and sounded exactly like my TDK SA's.

The other deck I attempted to record with (though briefly), was my recently-aquired Sony TC-K670 3-head system. It seemed to do okay with it, (better than the Onkyo at least). But now that I think of it, the Sony has an auto-tape type selector AND manual adjustable bias, but the Onkyo doesn't have the tape selector. You mentioned that the rec op amp gets a higher voltage (is that what "VA" meant?) when recording to metal, but all this time I thought that it was just a sound difference when recording, I had no idea that metal tapes get treated differently during recording. I was under the delusion that all tapes got the same treatment and they sounded better or worse depending on their formulations, etc. It's nice to know this bit of information. I think the problem with my Sony is that it needs to be calibrated, as the left channel is sligtly weaker than the right during recording....or it could be that the head azimuth is off. Not sure which, but I'll be getting a service manual soon to adjust where necessary, as there may be other things out of spec as well.

What would you recommend I try in terms of adjustment or for making the metal tapes sound the way they were designed?

[Marc Hugo]

Hi 4tfied,

I must admit I have very little experience with Onkyo decks. I know of the 2600 and the 2800 but have not used them. Sony machines generally are competent with metal - I know some of the more modern ones shine - even the 2-headers such as the TC-KE400S. My TC-KE600S (same deck as the TC-Ka2ES) has what it takes.

Yes, that right - VA is volts - typically head current is 10-12VA, the better decks are invariably higher. Better heads (better core conductivity), smaller head gaps, and more powerful head assy. electronics is where money is spent. As a rule of thumb, manufacturers applied a standardised assumption that buyers of expensive decks had a commensurate propensity to buy expensive tapes. Naks are anything up to 16VA (top European decks such as ReVox and Tandberg are in this range too). Top of the line machinery from Japanese manufacturers normally acquitted themselves well. The rec head and erase heads operate at levels determined by the sensors or manual selectors. The variablity within a deck is not large, but variation between decks is quite great. Metal and CrO2 need more current (for recording and erasing) than ferrics and pseudochromes. This is why the extra expense of using metals on some decks is not really worthwhile; also you hear from time to time that people are "underwhelmed" by genuine CrO2 cassettes and they complain about not being able to erase them properly. Not so common these days of course, but this used to be legion.

Certainly you're right too - there are great variations from tape to tape and they do vary in sound characteristics from one formulation to the other.

I would suggest the following:

Because type IVs can take more level both at 315hz and 10kHz the first thing you can (and should) do is push the recording levels up to the +4dB level ave., peaks at 5... try that. See what it can take.

Also, because the 10kHz SAT figure is significantly higher than on type IIs as a rule, try reducing bias to improve clean treble. This can immunise you against HF loss when employing Dolby without the concern of increasing distortion. Also, if you don't use Dolby at all, the higher recording levels will push down the relative noise floor, yet HF will not be compromised.

One of the sonic hallmarks of metal is the palpable tonal strength and sure-footedness of the sound - the ability to absorb punishing levels compared with other formulae without stress gives them a natural immunity to cassettes main frailties - bias noise and diminished headroom. Thus the migration to metal has the ability to move the humble cassette into the hallowed territory of traditional reference formats in a single stroke - provided you have a complementary deck.

This is not to denigrate type IIs or top type Is in any way. Members here including me are solid devotees of certain non-metal favourites. For instance, I have a passion for BASF TPII Reference Maxima, Maxell XLII-S, TDK AR-X...... and more. Many more.

Certainly you should give your Sony a bit of techie TLC some time. For now, good luck on your experiments.

Cheers - Marc

[braxus]

I'll post an updated list for myself, since it is more a "want" list then need list. Ok here goes:

Luxman K-04
Sony TC-KA7ES
Nakamichi Dragon
Pioneer RT-707
BIC T-4M

Apart from all that- there are no other decks I want. I seriously don't have room for the ones I have, so I don't really need more decks. But I would like to have them if the chance came to be.

Im seriously thinking of ditching my Sony 909ES deck. Its getting old and I don't have room for it anymore.

[iamhifi]

Braxus,
My BIC T-3 sold for 69.00 was an incredible sounding deck warm and very deatil, I have not heard a deck play a Type II like that before, no even my Naks, this deck could not record metal but could do Type II so well that there is no need for Metal. Dragon I agree but carefull, have overhaul with ES Labs or Nic. Do you want a close to mint with heads like new that works perfect and sounds awesome, I have a X-2000R for sale, Matt can swear by this Machines. And if it wasn't that I put so much money on the Studer A810 I would had kept it.
Angel

[braxus]

Braxus,
My BIC T-3 sold for 69.00 was an incredible sounding deck warm and very deatil, I have not heard a deck play a Type II like that before, no even my Naks, this deck could not record metal but could do Type II so well that there is no need for Metal. Dragon I agree but carefull, have overhaul with ES Labs or Nic. Do you want a close to mint with heads like new that works perfect and sounds awesome, I have a X-2000R for sale, Matt can swear by this Machines. And if it wasn't that I put so much money on the Studer A810 I would had kept it.
Angel

Thanks for the offer Angel. Currently after I get your 3014A deck, Im on cut-off, as the person Im living with has put a moratorium on buying any more electronics. Or I'll have to move. I have enough decks for now anyway. Too many in fact. I may even sell my other 3014 deck to fund your 3014A deck's repairs.

[Dimitar Georgiev]

I haven't gotten a chance to hear what a TRUE type IV tape sounds like.

Could you give me technical definition of TRUE Metal tape ?
The differences between Sony SR and TDK MA with respect to highs, lows, and SNR are minimal in my opinion. Sony SR sounds very very well..

D.

[iamhifi]

Thanks for the offer Angel. Currently after I get your 3014A deck, Im on cut-off, as the person Im living with has put a moratorium on buying any more electronics. Or I'll have to move. I have enough decks for now anyway. Too many in fact. I may even sell my other 3014 deck to fund your 3014A deck's repairs.

I saw yiur wish list and it seem to me that you wanted to get more decks. Again if you have enough then what is happening to you it started happening to me a couple month ago and I have to cut down. Yes, sell the 3014 but don't don't do it until you have the 3014A.
Angel

[braxus]

I saw yiur wish list and it seem to me that you wanted to get more decks. Again if you have enough then what is happening to you it started happening to me a couple month ago and I have to cut down. Yes, sell the 3014 but don't don't do it until you have the 3014A.
Angel

Its like I said- I want- not need these other decks. I'd like to have them, but seriously I don't need them. I already have sold my Sony deck on Ebay, but will have to see who the final bidder is. If one of these other decks came across my path, Im unsure if I'd pass on them or not. Depends on how strong willed I am.

And I haven't fully decided to sell my other 3014 deck or not. Depends on what the repair bill costs on your 3014A deck from Nick. My buddy in the US has already mentioned he'd buy it if I was selling. I will see in a couple months what I do. I have two decks which Im only keeping for nostalgic reasons, not because they are top end decks. Those ones will sit too.