PHOENIX CHROMES ARE HERE!!

[Nakdoc]

I tested a sample of the Phoenix Blue. The deck is the same Nak ZX7 used in the Phoenix metal test. The decks were first aligned for the reference tape, and then tested with the Phoenix Blue.

Compared to reference TDK-SA, the bias point was about the same (see later notes), with a broad +2 dB boost in the treble, but the sensitivity was -1.4dB. This means that users of this tape on early 80's decks would benefit from a record level calibration.
THD at 0Vu= 0.7%
1% THD @ +1.5 Vu
3% THD @ +5 Vu

I then compared it to Maxell UD-XLIIS. Sensitivity was -0.3dB. Bias point was about the same, with a flatter treble.
THD @ 0Vu = 1.1%
1% THD @ -0.3Vu
3% THD @ +3.7 Vu

I would say the Blue compares to TDK SA-X or UDII-S exhibiting the same sort of treble boost the coblat doped tapes were designed to produce. R/P W/F were identical in all 3 tapes. If your deck is biased for SA-X, watch your record levels and keep them below +5.