Recording Maxell XLI on a Teac X-2000R

[iamhifi]

Hello to all,
I did some test on my Teac X-2000R and found out that I like how the Maxell XLI records on 3 3/4 nice detail and warm, I think I like it better than 7 1/2.
What are your findings?
Angel

[Des-Lab]

Oddly enough. Never once have I done a 3 3/4 ips recording. So I couldn't tell you.

I do know that I love the XLI at 7 ½. I usually turn the bias down just tad, to about the 11:00 position. Gives that extra boost to the high frequencies. Otherwise it pretty much performs to perfection. Can record at sustained 0dB input with peaks almost pegging with no audible distortion.

I'd be really hard pressed to come up with an answer as to why the same tape at the same settings would sound better at a lower speed.

I'll have to try that one of these days.

[TheReeler]

I did some test on my Teac X-2000R and found out that I like how the Maxell XLI records on 3 3/4 nice detail and warm, I think I like it better than 7 1/2.
What are your findings?

Because of the EQ. The deck has independent internal EQ and BIAS adjustements for each speed and is probably that they are adjusted to sound with more treble in low speed to compensate the common "dull" sound of lots of tapes recorded at 3.75 ips.

[iamhifi]

Mat,
I have to do more test, but if I use it in 7 1/2 then I have to turn the bias to the right to decrease the high frequency. But again that was a test with the CD Player. I will do more test and some with vinyl. The Ud sound good also but I have to do more test.
Angel

[iamhifi]

thereeler,
You might have a point, I am trying to find a good tech around Miami FLorida to gove a deck a overhaul.
Angel

[kevinkr]

Plus the deck really needs to be calibrated to the tape you will be using. Not sure whether or not you want XLI to be that tape unless that is the one you intend to use for the most part. I guess it is still readily enough available on ePay that this is not an issue.

The bias and EQ probably need to be tweaked for optimum performance at each speed.

It is also quite possible that the HF rolloff at the lower speed is pleasing to your ear if your cd source is on the bright side in your system.

Headroom, distortion and HF extension should all be a lot better at the higher speed so I suspect you are enjoying the deck as a tone control to mitigate the sound of your cd player or the EQ/bias is not optimum at the higher speed for this tape.

I suspect in most decks the EQ will be a bit of a compromise at one speed or the other depending on the speed chosen for calibration. I note that my Otari manual stresses this point and recommends calibration at the specific speed the deck will be used at most frequently. Changes in equalization time constants are well defined, how the heads behave at the different speeds may or may not be fully compensated for in the electronics design.

[iamhifi]

Hello Kevin,
You make a lot of sense, yes the decks always have to be calibrated to tapes to have the best performance. When I said I was impressed with the sound at 3 3/4 with the XLI yes it was recording from CD. It sound it very close to the source. I use a couple of MFSL CDs and the source is an Accuphase DP-500 a very high quality Cd player that sounds warm and not bright and as close to reality as you can get. So this leads me to believe that it eas calibrated to lower speed. I got a problem now, find a reputable tech in the area, or just send it to teac.
thanks,
Angel

[iamhifi]

Well, I just did critical listening through the Sennheiser HD-650 and on 7 1/2 I have to turn the bias at 9:00 PM to make sound neutral just as the CD player. I like how it sounded.
Angel