TDK MA-C 90

[stuartypoorty]

Looking forward to getting these type iv's having won a brace last night, curious to know their position in the TDK MA hierarchy.

[MacGyver]

looks like a winner to me, stuart. how many did you get? you ARE gonna keep one sealed, of course?

[JXBJXB]

Looking forward to getting these type iv's having won a brace last night, curious to know their position in the TDK MA hierarchy.

Those are the very first TDK metal tapes, as far as I know. When these came out, they were the only metal tape in the line. MA-R came slightly later, same tape, "reference" mechanism (see here): http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=17988. My example of MA-C90 just like yours is dated 1979, like those in the photo. Marks the first appearance of the "Laboratory Standard Cassette Mechanism" and has cutouts along the top for auto-sensing in the proper decks. It feels to me like TDK was -slightly- late to the game and released a metal cassette after Maxell and Scotch, but that's just foggy recollection.

[stuartypoorty]

Actually, I'm going to put music on both of them once my new cartridge is installed, after all that's what it's all about for this Tapehead .

I can't really see the point in keeping this, or any tape for that matter sealed, they are all workhorses as far as I'm concerned and will be utilised accordingly.
Not wishing to sound harsh or belittle someones personal reason for keeping sealed tapes but they're just not that precious to me in that sense, and yes I'll search for lots of elusive, sometimes expensive cassettes but purely to use them, tends to be sooner than later.

I can view Braxus' or the chiefs gallery here or the www.c-90.org Russian site and others elsewhere.

Suppose I'd only keep one or two of the very rare types, i.e. Axia XD/HD/SD-Masters, if I were lucky enough to find any sealed, for that special recording.

[stuartypoorty]

Those are the very first TDK metal tapes, as far as I know. When these came out, they were the only metal tape in the line. MA-R came slightly later, same tape, "reference" mechanism (see here): http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=17988. My example of MA-C90 just like yours is dated 1979, like those in the photo. Marks the first appearance of the "Laboratory Standard Cassette Mechanism" and has cutouts along the top for auto-sensing in the proper decks. It feels to me like TDK was -slightly- late to the game and released a metal cassette after Maxell and Scotch, but that's just foggy recollection.

My thoughts regarding age seems to tally with yours, the styling on the wrap suggests that period.

Be interesting to see how they sound(sic), hoping time hasn't ravaged them.

The seller had eight sealed examples, all going for a pretty penny so I reckon it's a desirable spool.

[macster]

Actually, I'm going to put music on both of them once my new cartridge is installed, after all that's what it's all about for this Tapehead .



What cartridge are you going to install? BTW, I have about 12 or so of these, they are great. But I wouldn't use em, because you are just going to get addicted to them.

M~

[stuartypoorty]

What cartridge are you going to install? BTW, I have about 12 or so of these, they are great. But I wouldn't use em, because you are just going to get addicted to them.

M~

I'm addicted to Ortofon cartridges and will be installing an MC Windfeld. Over the years I've had many Ortofons, MC 2000/3000/5000, 2 Rohmanns and, until recently, an MC 7500.

I can't praise this company highly enough, with product to suit all pockets, constant innovation and great after sales service. I'll get some pictures posted eventually, here's a promo image meantime. Here is one in depth review from a Windfeld user; http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=868000

[Mr. Lin]

Actually, I'm going to put music on both of them once my new cartridge is installed, after all that's what it's all about for this Tapehead .

I can't really see the point in keeping this, or any tape for that matter sealed, they are all workhorses as far as I'm concerned and will be utilised accordingly.
Not wishing to sound harsh or belittle someones personal reason for keeping sealed tapes but they're just not that precious to me in that sense, and yes I'll search for lots of elusive, sometimes expensive cassettes but purely to use them, usually sooner than later.

I can view Braxus' or the chiefs gallery here or the www.c-90.org Russian site and others elsewhere.

Suppose I'd only keep one or two of the very rare types, i.e. Axia XD/HD/SD-Masters, if I were lucky enough to find any sealed, for that special recording.

Hi Stuart,
I feel the same way as you about using tapes in about 95% of cases (don't you love it when people make up statistics? :) ), and I actually started a thread about it in this forum a while back:

http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=451
(http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=451)

Off the top of my head the only tape I currently have that I don't plan on opening and using is a first generation Maxell XLI-S. I personally get very excited about actually getting to hear all kinds of tapes, new and old, regardless of whether or not they're supposed to be the very best performers. You TDK MA would be an example of that, I too would record on it.

Tell us about how your recording goes using the new Ortofon, I'm interested in hearing about it.

EDIT: Having glanced through my older thread I see that you responded to it back then.

[stuwee]

IIRC, and I could be wrong the MA90 came out first, then the MA C90, then the MA R90, when metal tapes from TDK first came out I was first in line at the store, I bought 3 MA60's I still have 2 of them. They still sound fantastic. I recorded them on a Teac 550 or 650 way back when. I wanted the one below bad enough to bid my last $50 to try to get it, I was sniped *rant* You'll love the one you have. I'm with you on the using them for recording favorite LP's. I'll take some cool pics of them in the wrapper, then gleefully tear it off, cue up the TT and watch the meters dance *Hi5*

[MacGyver]

here's a couple of ads for the TDK HX-S;




http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/STEREO%20REVIEW/SROCT198711.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/STEREO%20REVIEW/SRJAN1986.jpg

[JXBJXB]

IIRC, and I could be wrong the MA90 came out first, then the MA C90, then the MA R90, when metal tapes from TDK first came out I was first in line at the store, I bought 3 MA60's I still have 2 of them.

That (very nice) MA 90 still in the wrapper in your photo is a second-generation, to the best of my knowledge. The first generation was the "C" - I don't profess to know what the "C" designates (cassette?) but TDK stopped using it in the 1982 line. Scan shows MA and SA C90 on the left (1979) and MA and SA 90 on the right (1982). In 1982 they got rid of the paper labels on the SA.

I included the SA-X C90 (first generation) because it is so cool looking. It's BROWN. :-)<-

[stuartypoorty]

IIRC, and I could be wrong the MA90 came out first, then the MA C90, then the MA R90, when metal tapes from TDK first came out I was first in line at the store, I bought 3 MA60's I still have 2 of them. They still sound fantastic. I recorded them on a Teac 550 or 650 way back when. I wanted the one below bad enough to bid my last $50 to try to get it, I was sniped *rant* You'll love the one you have. I'm with you on the using them for recording favorite LP's. I'll take some cool pics of them in the wrapper, then gleefully tear it off, cue up the TT and watch the meters dance *Hi5*

Craig,

Have been using the MA's for a long long time, mostly for compilation tapes and I agree wholeheartedly with your impression. They really do justice with a great source.

Opinion leans towards the MA-C being an intermediary between the MA and later MA-R, the tape labels strongly resemble the MA-R type albeit slightly wider.

I'll know in a few weeks if the MA-C will become a second tier reference cassette.

[stuartypoorty]

Hi Stuart,
I feel the same way as you about using tapes in about 95% of cases (don't you love it when people make up statistics? :) ), and I actually started a thread about it in this forum a while back:

http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=451
(http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=451)

Off the top of my head the only tape I currently have that I don't plan on opening and using is a first generation Maxell XLI-S. I personally get very excited about actually getting to hear all kinds of tapes, new and old, regardless of whether or not they're supposed to be the very best performers. You TDK MA would be an example of that, I too would record on it.

Tell us about how your recording goes using the new Ortofon, I'm interested in hearing about it.

EDIT: Having glanced through my older thread I see that you responded to it back then.

I've attached a link for a review on the Windfeld, roughly thread number 7 on this post. The guy really knows his stuff and is a painstakingly detailed appraisal of his cartridge.

[Mr. Lin]

here's a couple of ads for the TDK HX-S;



There is a tape I LOVE.

[stuartypoorty]

These are great tapes. Used the two sealed ones I have and am mightily impressed with the results, very detailed and transparent - just the way i like it.

Managed to secure another six, albeit lightly used, for around £3.30 each. The seller could've made a tidy sum if he'd opted to sell beyond the UK.

Lots of 80's AOR onboard which is pleasant but I'll record over.

If anyone has the opportunity to secure any MA-Cs, do so with confidence, they really are very very good.

[stuwee]

These are great tapes. Used the two sealed ones I have and am mightily impressed with the results, very detailed and transparent - just the way i like it.

Managed to secure another six, albeit lightly used, for around £3.30 each. The seller could've made a tidy sum if he'd opted to sell beyond the UK.

Lots of 80's AOR onboard which is pleasant but I'll record over.

If anyone has the opportunity to secure any MA-Cs, do so with confidence, they really are very very good.

Agreed stuart, I've been trying, *thumbsup**thumbsup* on your new MA-C's, I did finally get this MA90 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=280284141166
a little while back, it's a '82, I've just been looking at it still sealed (my bad!) But, when the time is right, in the Nak it goes *reelspin**reelspin*! Ideally I'm with you, I'd love to score some MA, MA-C, MA-R's lightly used at a great price, they're just not popping up over here right now, there's a ton of nostalgia for me with these old TDK's, I still listen to my 20yo+ ones that sat in my car in the Texas heat and humidity, they still rock *hearts*

[stuartypoorty]

Craig,


All that you're a hankerin' for TDK wise is available on German Ebay, regular MA's, MA-X's, MA-R's and MA-XG's (metal and green shelled types) both used and new.

For some reason MA-C's are thin on the ground, if anything I think they'd be easier to get Stateside.

[valman13440]

I think Maxell introduced the MX one year after TDK released the MA,Maxell MX i think did'nt come out until 1980 and TDK's MA came out in 1979?

[Mr. Lin]

Good to hear, thanks for keeping us updated.