Cassette review: TDK SM-X 30 minute

[NAD613]

This is a cassette I bought from A to Z Audio. They were on closeout for $7.50 per 10ct. box. This cassette is the pro version of their SA-X cassette. The shell is very well built and the J-card & labels are nice & simple.

I songs I recorded were selections from Steve Winwood's 1980 album "Arc Of A Diver". The songs are "While You See a Chance", "Arc Of A Diver", "Spanish Dancer", & "Night Train". All selection were originally recorded off the internet, so, needless to say, they sounded a bit thin. Well, these TDK SM-X cassettes were able to give the songs a full sound. I decided against using any Dolby NR. If it turned out there was hiss, I could always route the deck through my Pioneer MD deck w/the stand alone D/A converter w/digital NR. That wasn't needed, the tape sounded great!

The Verdict: This is one of the best type II tapes I've ever used, on par with the Maxell XLII-S. Mr. Lin was correct about the TDK SA-X being one of the best tapes around. A very good tape indeed.

[MacGyver]

i wonder why they were cheaper than those other pro tapes? they appear to be a better formulation and all... one thing for sure; they have a different shell, one with an oval window...

[NAD613]

I don't know; they were purchased from a different store & they're also only 30 minutes in length.

[Mr. Lin]

I've really been procrastinating when it comes to getting these tapes, and I hope I haven't waited too long. The TDK SA-X is my favorite tape, the SM Pro a close second, it's like a perfect combination. So there was no hiss at all? This is something that stood out for me when I first used a SA-X, there was practically no hiss, and I don't use NR.

[braxus]

I've got a couple boxes of the SA-X which are probably the last versions. I have used the odd SA-X tape, but never used them like I do Maxells. One day when I finally get my better decks running, I'll do a test with these tapes. I typically use NR on my tapes, so I can't comment on the lack of hiss with these tapes.

I'd like to get another SA-XG tape to record onto, but another day for that. I must admit that for TDK I've probably used their metal tapes more then any other tape of theirs. I have heard comments on how the SA-X can compete with the metals, but never confirmed this myself.

[Marc Hugo]

Hi Braxus,

SA-X is a magnificent tape indeed. The double layer super-avylin does a lot to make the formulation quieter than it would be otherwise - than an SA for instance. It's comparison with metals (which goes back to the early nineties) arises from its very great dynamic range (63.8dB) which makes it astonishingly quiet. So, it gains this range from it's very low noise floor, not really it's above the line (0dB) capacity. Several metals - such as Maxell MX and Sony XR (off the top of my head) to not manage this DR. What it does not have compared with metals in general is the sheer tonal strength and capacity for high amplitudes over 0dB. This is noticable (and important for humans) because our hearing is more senstive to a presence of loud sounds than an absence of soft ones. That doesn't detract from a fantastic pseudochrome that will flatter most machines while sounding thrilling on the superdecks.

Cheers - Marc

[braxus]

http://www.fucchi.it/documenti/TDK_SM-X.pdf

Thought these specs might interest someone.

[Mr. Lin]

Thanks Braxus. Marc, have you ever used a SA-XS? I have a few of those, only recorded on one, and it sounded great, of course. I think the only difference is a triple avilyn coating.

[Scorpion8]

Thought these specs might interest someone.

Yea, thanks!

[stuwee]

http://www.fucchi.it/documenti/TDK_SM-X.pdf

Thought these specs might interest someone.

Whats up with that file?? It wants me to save it and open it somewhere else?:confused:

[Mr. Lin]

Whats up with that file?? It wants me to save it and open it somewhere else?:confused:

It's trying to create a chance to escape from you, stuwee.*devil*

[stuwee]

It's trying to create a chance to escape from you, stuwee.*devil*

Dave, I'm deeply touched, *???* and slightly paranoid now -noteeth-

[Scorpion8]

Whats up with that file?? It wants me to save it and open it somewhere else?:confused:

It has good taste? *moon*

[Mr. Lin]

It has good taste? *moon*

Ouch! *flame*

[Marc Hugo]

Thanks Braxus. Marc, have you ever used a SA-XS? I have a few of those, only recorded on one, and it sounded great, of course. I think the only difference is a triple avilyn coating.

Hi Mr Lin,

Sorry for my slowness - I have in fact never used either a SA-XG or SA-XS. This was clearly taking the type II far indeed!! I would guess that although it is a multi-layer, the layers are the same material and therefore calibration should work well.

Cheers - Marc

[Tracs]

http://www.fucchi.it/documenti/TDK_SM-X.pdf

Thought these specs might interest someone.

I was looking at that linked pdf of the TDK SM-X specs, and it's interesting that the lower frequency MOL for the 10 and 20 minute versions is .5db better than the 30 and 60 minute versions. The 10, 20, 30 and 60 minute versions appear to be all of the same thickness, so why would the 10 and 20 minute versions have .5db better MOL (315Hz)?

I just bought a box of the 30 minute versions to record bass-heavy music, but now it seems I should have bought the 10 or 20 minute versions.

[Copyhat]

I was looking at that linked pdf of the TDK SM-X specs, and it's interesting that the lower frequency MOL for the 10 and 20 minute versions is .5db better than the 30 and 60 minute versions. The 10, 20, 30 and 60 minute versions appear to be all of the same thickness, so why would the 10 and 20 minute versions have .5db better MOL (315Hz)?

I just bought a box of the 30 minute versions to record bass-heavy music, but now it seems I should have bought the 10 or 20 minute versions.

Talking about revival of an old thread.

The 0.5 dB is not really noticable except in a direct A/B test.

The SA-X formulation should sound almost identical to the source if it has been recorded in a good working, well calibrated deck.