stuwee's finally got some big reels

[stuwee]

Well techically not mine, got home from work and there's this big black Fostex E-2 sittin' in the living room with a fat 3-ring binder full of studio operating instructions! Dale must have brought it home, I have know idea if it works or not, it looks brand new, no pics but I found this on e-bay to give ya'll an idea, http://cgi.ebay.com/Fostex-E-2-E-22-...1%7C240%3A1318

I'm guessing it came from one of the local radio stations or, one of Dale's croonies. The only thing I could find online is that Fostex and Tascam worked on stuff together, it sure has that Tascam look to it. Just one Fostex metal reel is with it, and I guess I'll be in the market for tapes !!

Neither one of us uses the little Teac X-3 very much, cassettes have been taking up most of the listening time. I think this may change things here at casa de la Tucson and, cost some $$$'s. Any thoughts on this bad boy?

Edit below

[Des-Lab]

I too have not heard much about the Fostex decks except that they were supposedly a "poor mans Tascam". But specs, reliability, construction, etc?

Unfortunately, I don't know much about them. I do know that it's the only brand that I'm aware of that managed to cram 8 tracks onto quarter inch tape.

You definitely must keep us posted with updates. And c'mon dude! You gotta get us some pix.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ksid=p3907.m29

[graffias79]

Very nice!! One day I hope to find a newer machine that can handle 10" reels

[Des-Lab]

Originally Posted by graffias79

Very nice!! One day I hope to find a newer machine that can handle 10" reels

Well barring some company [re]introducing an all new production R2R, none of the machines now out there are getting any younger. Currently the only option I'm aware of is a brand new Otari MX-5050. Can be yours for a paltry $5K. Add about another $500 if you want a quarter track playback (but not record) head. That's a bit above most folks budgets-mine included-especially given our grim and uncertain economic outlook through 2010 or so.

It's been often said that you can pick up a decent Otari off The Bay for around $500. Though I guess you have to really be vigilant. Because the only one's I've seen in that price range are old and/or really well worn out.

I don't know your finances, but I'd probably have to say that now is as good a time as any to start shopping. Prices for *many* (but not all) good decks have dropped somewhat in the last year or so. Perhaps because of waning interest and/or the floundering economy.

If you are looking for a decent audiophile deck (such as a Teac X-1000R, X-2000R, Akai GX-646, etc.), you could probably get a GOOD one for around $500-700. Indeed recently I watched an absolutely GORGEOUS silver X-2000R go by. I wanted it SOOO bad. But the wife put her foot down on that purchase. It went for about $820 or so. Keeping in mind that I would've had to beat the final bid (snipe or proxy), I may have been able to get it for around $850-$900, which *IS* in my budget. Provided the wife would approve. Which, in light of the four other Teacs I already have, she wouldn't.

I know that sounds like a lot. But we are talking cosmetically clean or immaculate, plug-and-play machines that are in tip-top running condition and need little or no servicing of any kind beyond nominal cleaning/demagging and possibly very minor adjustments to begin enjoying. I am still for the most part adamant that such purchases are a better value in the long run unless you have the time, connections, low expectations, and expertise to recondition a low priced "fixxer-upper". The cost differential between a $200 "dog" and a $900 "gem" can disappear in the blink of an eye when further parts/service research, inquiries, troubleshooting, labor, shipping, travel, and other efforts are factored in. So you can't always JUST look at the initial upfront cost of the machine, though as a rule, the higher it is, the less likely you will have to spend any more time/expense to actually enjoy it. A "bargain" deck is truly only a bargain if you are already skilled and equipped to perform any and all work/repairs on it. Or else don't mind having a less than fully functional deck or else one that's been trashed and its remaining lifespan is measured in weeks as opposed to years.

[stuwee]

Thanks for the pics John, since my computer and camera aren't talking as of late, that is the very deck in my posession, minus the rack mounts. It was on a hand cart heading for the dumpster when Dale stopped the guy ! Another save for the planet . Some specs I gleened from the operators manual:

2 track, 2 channel w/center track.
W/F - 15 ips, +0.05% WTD, +0.10% unWTD
Feq Resp - 15ips, 30Hz - 26KHz, +3db
Feq Resp - 7 ips, 30Hz - 20KHz, +3db
S/N - 15 ips, 69db WTD, 66 unWTD
S/N - 7 ips, 70db WTD, 67 unWTD
THD - less than 1% at 1KHz, 0VU

The heads appear to be in very good shape, I'm far from being an expert on RtR stuff, there may be other decks about down here, I stress may. As I've mentioned before, with all the switching to digital in TV and radio, it wouldn't hurt to call around your area and see if you can score something for pennies on the dollar.

[graffias79]

Stuwee: Check to make sure that there isn't a little black line dividing the hemispheres of the head perpendicular to the tape path. That means trouble (or no treble!)

[stuwee]

Originally Posted by graffias79

Stuwee: Check to make sure that there isn't a little black line dividing the hemispheres of the head perpendicular to the tape path. That means trouble (or no treble!)

Well, there doesn't appear to be. I'll be able to get a full set of pics up next week . I've got the 'Logans running so I'll update that thread down in help you fix it forum, and, I'm leaving soon to go to the races, zoom, zoom!