Stereophile polling reel to reel users

[ghn5ue]

http://cgi.stereophile.com/cgi-bin/displayvote.cgi Go and place your vote. Let them know there are still a lof of us reel to reel users out there!

[4tified]

http://cgi.stereophile.com/cgi-bin/displayvote.cgi Go and place your vote. Let them know there are still a lof of us reel to reel users out there!

Wow. The distaste of cassettes, reel-to-reels and other magnetic media on Sterophile are astounding. Are we REALLY that rare of a breed?

OH WELL!

More cassettes for me *reelspin**Hi5**reelspin*

[vinyldavid]

My answer should give them a bit of a shake-up. *grin*

Mejas is one of my favorite writers.

[DaveInVA]

My answer should give them a bit of a shake-up. *grin*

Mejas is one of my favorite writers.

I'm sure they'll like mine also...

Dave

[JackHenry]

It may be nice watching a single disk go round and round on a turntable.


But God gave us TWO eyes

[4tified]

It may be nice watching a single disk go round and round on a turntable.


But God gave us TWO eyes


Couldn't have said it better myself!*Hi5*

[Nakdoc]

I sorta offered Stephen a 480 or BX 1.

[Des-Lab]

Maybe I'm missing something, but clicking on that link takes me to the reel to reel "VOTE" page. But all of the comments below appear to pertain to cassette decks. Where is all the R2R chat?

[celticguitar6666]

Intresting! Who would have thought? Maybe we got noticed? I used to read Sterophile but dropped my subscription because I just got tired of reading about $$$$$$ stuff. but an intresting note alot of the consumer show displays are using analog as the source for the equipment and quite a few were using RTR most notably tape project stuff as well as turntables that says alot about digital and this was mentioned quite a few times in the mag. digital just can't compete with a well setup analog system IMO. Maybe RTR will come back? Everyone thought vinyl was dead. I bet some of those guys have RTR over there? We should ask Mikey! maybe Mikey likes it?
It just makes us "special"*reelspin**reelspin*
Dwight

[Des-Lab]

The typical Stereophile community member and that of the typical Tapeheads member do share some similarities: We want what we believe to be the best sound. Often times, it's analog.

But the similarity ends there. That community appears to be pretentious, condescending, and elitist in the extreme. But that aside, that is what sets them apart from many of us: they do put their money where their mouth is. Say what you want about the absurdity of spending several hundred dollars for a pair of 3' gold plated RCA cables. Or $25,000 for a turntable.

They do it. They see something they want: they buy it. Done.

Now granted, the whole cost/benefit and point of diminishing returns thing can be the subject of a fascinating discussion all it's own, but the bottom line is that cost IS no bottom line for many of them. Whereas we try to squeeze every nickel 'till the buffalo shits and whine endlessly about any deck that costs more than $100 or any blank tape that costs more than $10. So yeah, to that end, we may think we are being persecuted as 'embracing an inferior format'. But in some ways, we do it to ourselves and their 'walking on water' mentality isn't always entirely without merit.

Sorry. I'm sure some of you will convict me of heresy for saying it, but that's just the plain truth as best I see it. I know that many of us are on tight budgets and all, but you know the old sayings about "champaigne tastes on a beer budget...."

[DolbySProject]

I do agree with that; but, mostly where it applies to new production stuff. Paying obscene amounts for stuff that Nakdoc (or myself) is going to have to stay up nights fixing doesn't make much sense to me and it makes no difference to an industry that's not producing these items. (Don't take that as "Don't buy a great used deck if you come across one." That's not what I'm getting at.)

However, in the case of what is still being produced, I couldn't be any more in line with that. Now I know I'll be considered warped for thinking this but I think those that love tape should have/make a budget for tape. We should all be supporting the producers of what we love. We should be stocking up on NAC tape, RMGI tape and ATR tape (maybe even Tape.com) because those are the folks actively pursuing keeping the format alive with product. I have nothing against resellers and I can't wait to get my Phoenix tapes. Yet, the manufacturers are still hanging with us and I feel like we need to hang with them. Likewise, any one who is into reel and can afford to by a brand new Otari, should. Why? Again, supporting the only manufacturer left who is still in the game. If I had $6K lying around, there is no question I would put an order in. And of the few dual cassette decks still available? Again, just to show that there is still interest (and maybe keep the tooling around) I will most likely order a new Onkyo dual cassette. Because, it's a Dragon killer? Of course, not... but how are we going to signal that tape is not dead if we don't invest in the companies, few companies, who are still keeping it alive? Let's put it this way, since 1979 there has always been someone to purchase an SL-1200MK2. Thus, the Technics SL-1200MK2 (not the best turntable in the world compared the Caliburn or TOTL VPI or SME) is still made more than 30 years later. And on top of that, they came out with the newer versions of it! The 1200M5G. The gold plated limited edition. Imagine if enough "dualies" were purchased where as Onkyo then brought back out it's TOTL 3-head... The major manufactures, I don't think, really care one way or the other. They do understand demand and profit potential. If we don't connect with them on that level they certainly will and have stopped supplying (ie. Maxell).

About six months ago I went looking for XLII's. I couldn't find any anywhere. So, I started buying UR's from my local Walgreens. Funny thing is, since I started buying 10 packs every pay day, they actually stock more. Hmmmm... They sell more. They stock more. They sell more. They stock more. Now, on a large scale this won't work because most folks I know snub their nose at UR's. But, just imagine if analog tape lovers everywhere had done this XLII's and SA's and such back when there were first indications that tapes sales where in decline. Perhaps overall sales and production would have decreased anyway (probably); but, just maybe Maxell would still be manufacturing enough of these tapes to keep the "specialty houses" stocked... ...for us to buy.

I know. I'm loco. *el_loco* But, I'm not smokin' dope. *smokin*

[stuwee]

Maybe I'm missing something, but clicking on that link takes me to the reel to reel "VOTE" page. But all of the comments below appear to pertain to cassette decks. Where is all the R2R chat?

*dunno*, all I saw was cassette comments too.

[celticguitar6666]

*dunno*, all I saw was cassette comments too.

That was the results of previous poll on cassette decks. I believe since the poll is ongoing they will post comments later I think anyway.. The comments will be intresting I left a mouth full
I think therefore I am! I think?
Dwight

[stuwee]

That was the results of previous poll on cassette decks. I believe since the poll is ongoing they will post comments later I think anyway.. The comments will be intresting I left a mouth full
I think therefore I am! I think?
Dwight

If you're correct about the poll results and the comments, that sucks! I wanna be entertained now damnit! Stephan is a poopieface *fit*

[Nakdoc]

I asked Stephen directly if he had to toe the line and blog only about new stuff. Fooling around with anything vintage makes manufacturers feel warm inside, but doesn't bring in ad revenue. I suspect Stephen really wants to hear about NEW cassette decks, which most of us posters failed to help him with. The Pioneer CT-05 is the only deck on his short list that I've played with, and it is a good deck.

[celticguitar6666]

The results are in if any one is interested with comments. I see alot of us there listed. The results are as follows:


Clearly, many of you still cherish your cassette decks, but what about open- reel? Do you own, or have you ever owned and used a reel-to-reel or open-reel tape deck?

Have one now that I use: 27%
Have one now that I sometimes use: 13%
Have one now that I never use: 7%
Used to have one: 31%
Never had one: 20

Not too shabby?*reelspin**reelspin* but I didn't see a total number of votes or did I miss something. The 27% could be just 27 from our group or other RTR forums? Wouldn't that stink? 27 out 100 votes? I think you get my drift
Dwight

[stuwee]

The results are in if any one is interested with comments. I see alot of us there listed. The results are as follows:


Clearly, many of you still cherish your cassette decks, but what about open- reel? Do you own, or have you ever owned and used a reel-to-reel or open-reel tape deck?

Have one now that I use: 27%
Have one now that I sometimes use: 13%
Have one now that I never use: 7%
Used to have one: 31%
Never had one: 20

Not too shabby?*reelspin**reelspin* but I didn't see a total number of votes or did I miss something. The 27% could be just 27 from our group or other RTR forums? Wouldn't that stink? 27 out 100 votes? I think you get my drift
Dwight

I voted yes, but my comment didn't post *naughty* I wonder why *scratchchin*?

However, I read Matt's with some disdain....Yes. And I'm always looking to buy another one or two. Where do all of the pretentious vinyl lovers think the masters came from?
—Des-Lab TapeHeads.Net
...pretentious vinyl lovers?? My, my, ouch *brokeheart*! What did we ever do to you *grin*

[vinyldavid]

However, I read Matt's with some disdain....Yes. And I'm always looking to buy another one or two. Where do all of the pretentious vinyl lovers think the masters came from?
—Des-Lab TapeHeads.Net
...pretentious vinyl lovers??

Des....c'mon man...there are vinyl lovers in this world that are not assholes...there's a lot of them right here.

[celticguitar6666]

Des....c'mon man...there are vinyl lovers in this world that are not assholes...there's a lot of them right here.
Yeah! What do think we use our decks to record? CD's? Whoo Boy there might a can of whoop a.. coming out of that!*fit* Oh well I love my vinyl!
Dwight

[Des-Lab]

I said ---->>>PRETENTIOUS<<<---- vinyl lovers, which is not the same as ALL vinyl lovers. Big difference. I will be jumping back into the vinyl world myself in the next month or so.

Perhaps I should have put the qualifier in there. As most of you know, my affection towards the Stereophile community as a whole is lukewarm at best. That is fostered by their typically condescending elitist attitude that a [multi thousand] dollar setup is the be-all, end all. And that any "lesser" components are not worthy of a toy for their children. Even though they are absolutely terrified of blind tests.

Apparently they choose to ignore that the best analog vinyl releases (i.e. 'purest sounding') were most likely mixed involving a conventional reel to reel tape at some level. They may ignore that, but the irony isn't lost on me.

[DolbySProject]

I'm a vinyl lover... ...and, I admit, at times I have the propensity to be pretentious and even an *butt*... *lmao* Des has a point though, which I'm sure is just rumpling some feathers over there. *lmao* I formerly subscribed to Stereophile. It's where I learned all those fancy 25 cent words and phrases like: "air" and "heft" and "space" and "shimmer"..... BBWWWAAAAHHHHAAAA!!!! *lmao* In all fairness, I learned a lot from having been a subscriber and they do kinda help keep this audio thing going.

[celticguitar6666]

I said ---->>>PRETENTIOUS<<<---- vinyl lovers, which is not the same as ALL vinyl lovers. Big difference. I will be jumping back into the vinyl world myself in the next month or so.

Perhaps I should have put the qualifier in there. As most of you know, my affection towards the Stereophile community as a whole is lukewarm at best. That is fostered by their typically condescending elitist attitude that a [multi thousand] dollar setup is the be-all, end all. And that any "lesser" components are not worthy of a toy for their children. Even though they are absolutely terrified of blind tests.

Apparently they choose to ignore that the best analog vinyl releases (i.e. 'purest sounding') were most likely mixed involving a conventional reel to reel tape at some level. They may ignore that, but the irony isn't lost on me.

Des we still like you you have set up a great thing here. I believe you are refering to the anal retentives*eyepop* I knew where you going with your statements. It is ironic that our vinyl is far down the chain from Tape after all you have to make a mother daughter father son ( just kidding) before the presses even start. and then the best copies are the first 10,000 run or below 5,000, even better, to get a good copy . Most popular music had 50,000 run before they change the mold and put a new one in. My understanding is once your over 10,000 the copies are not that great. I would love to have all copies of master tapes in place of my vinyl which I do love but that is not a possibilty unless your fabuously rich so vinyl is the next best thing!
Dwight

[stuwee]

Des we still like you you have set up a great thing here. I believe you are refering to the anal retentives*eyepop* I knew where you going with your statements. It is ironic that our vinyl is far down the chain from Tape after all you have to make a mother daughter father son ( just kidding) before the presses even start. and then the best copies are the first 10,000 run or below 5,000, even better, to get a good copy . Most popular music had 50,000 run before they change the mold and put a new one in. My understanding is once your over 10,000 the copies are not that great. I would love to have all copies of master tapes in place of my vinyl which I do love but that is not a possibilty unless your fabuously rich so vinyl is the next best thing!
Dwight

Ooooo, just imagine the original masters from the Atlantic vaults of Led Zep I and II, wall of sound JBL's run by a bank of Big Mac amps *drool* *devil* *drool*!! Fetch my Depends for me dearie, messy, messy, messy :).