Maxel R2r Tape comparision

[toddbailey]

Just wondering if any one has ever seriously compared the various r2r maxel tapes produced over the years and if so just how many different formulations were produced and how well do they compare with each other. Personally, I've used Maxel LNE & UD. Ud is my main stay but have recently acquired a small quantity of LXI.
So how does LXI compare with UD and LNE?
more importantly, hitting ebay, which one is the go to product and which if any should be avoided?


thx

[Skywavebe]

Hi Todd,
The Maxell product of choice at Teac was UD XL I. The lower grades produce lesser print levels and slightly worse frequency response provided they are adjusted to. Just like working with Scotch 177, a person had me adjust his X1000R to that, it can work but the oxide formula is fighting you as you attempt to get to the frequency range that the hi fi spec requires. UD is a good tape if it was say 30 years ago but once XL I hit the market I bet that was a number one selling product. UD when I am told to adjust to that is dated.
I usually say are you sure you want to use that tape? I then steer them to LPR35 which is about the same as the XL I but 1.5 dB better print level and slightly better range.
LPR35 is a hard tape to beat these days- like I have said we are dealing with some good tape these days, the best that has been formulated. I just hope the French do not mess it up.

[Des-Lab]

The Maxell product of choice at Teac was UD XL I.



And probably still is. The XLI is difficult to top because of its almost universal flexibility and versatility; it can be dropped in to pretty much any deck and yield results that range from satisfactory to outstanding. In my personal opinion, the only other tape that comes close would be Quantegy 406/407, which I also swear by and can be likewise used for just about anything.


LPR35 is a hard tape to beat these days- like I have said we are dealing with some good tape these days, the best that has been formulated. I just hope the French do not mess it up.

Well considering what my experience has been, the Germans and the Dutch already messed it up. So unless the French simply perpetuate what they did, it's already a tape I don't trust. If anything, they have a chance to improve it. I maintain that while yes, LPR-35 is new production and if you want, it's a gamble and I only say buy it if you do so knowing that you are taking chances with it.

Or stick to tried, true, and proven winners like Maxell XLI or Quantegy.

[krisjay]

Well, considering the fact that I have a lifetime supply of UD, I will be sticking with that for what should be the rest of my days on this earth. If I were to use anything else, it would be to just try something different, as with the purchase of a case of Quantegy 632, I just couldn't pass it up at that price, and it gives me something else to play with besides my UD. I am very happy and content to use my UD, I think it gives me great results every time, no surprises with it.

[Listens2tubes]

At 60+ dollars for NOS UD 35-180(N) I look at RMGI LPR35 3600' pancakes more and more.

[Lance Lawson]

All of the still in manufacture tape expensive. If given the choice of NOS Maxell UD-XL or RMGI LPR-35 I'll go with RMGI. I'd buy a case or two of LPR-35 which would last me a very long time. However it's hard to justify over $700 for two cases of tape. The LPR-35 has performed for me beyond anything else I've ever used. It's something of a mystery why Maxell commands the prices it does since they most likely made more tape than anyone else and there should be tons of it available. That said the best Maxell is great but no greater than the best of the still in manufacture tapes. I sometimes think maxell sells so high because it's being sold to folks who might not know there is still tape being made. Many of the casual conversations I've had about RTR usually includes the perception that RTR tape is no more.

[Des-Lab]

When I look at $60 for Maxell, I see a tape that I know I can count on to last forever. I too was once excited about the then new LPR-35 (http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?p=4#post4).

When I look at RMGI, some of you may see "cheaper" and "supporting a current manufacturer", I keep looking at my own experience as the pictures below show. remember, you can't just look at the initial cost of procurement. There's also the time and effort needed to make them. And as I had to, to re-create the original on a Quantegy 457 (http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?p=175862#post175862).

http://x-2000r.0catch.com/images/tapestuff/LPRTEST_PAUSED_DIRTYHEADS1.jpg

http://x-2000r.0catch.com/images/tapestuff/LPRTEST_DIRTYHEADS_ATEND1.jpg

http://x-2000r.0catch.com/images/tapestuff/LPRTEST_DIRTYHEADS_ATEND2.jpg

http://x-2000r.0catch.com/images/tapestuff/LPRTEST_DIRTYLEADER.jpg

http://x-2000r.0catch.com/images/tapestuff/LPRTEST_PAUSED.jpg

http://x-2000r.0catch.com/images/tapestuff/RMGI_Tapes_FirstOne.jpg

[krisjay]

Wow, I hope to never see a sight like that.*eyepop*

[toddbailey]

$60 for a Maxel UD 35-180, whoooaa!

Nation, you need to shop around more. The reason why some are selling this product at these prices is people will pay that much for it. I recently picked up 15 10.5 reels mostly Maxel UD for $100. With my collection size I can't justify paying new prices when the used stuff is nearly as good.

I suppose I should have asked if the machine is adjusted for XLI, will UD and LNE performance suffer, for machines that don't offer multiple tape bias & eq settings.

[toddbailey]

Wow, I hope to never see a sight like that.*eyepop*

It happens to all of us.


one of my 5 reels for $5 ebay specials had back coated tape that absolutely stunk, Old and Moldy some might say. Even the box was decomposing. Before I found out about baking, I simply mounted the tape amd played it. The tape contained barely audible 30' and 40's big band music. As it played a large pile of black and orange dust collected on the bench directly below the heads. The heads were an absolute mess after only a few minutes and it took a lot of cleaning. Needless to say the tape was a complete loss.