What should I expect from 3-5k reel to reel?

[aechmea]

 

Been there, done that.

 

In the 60s, 70s and 80s I had 4 R2R players/decks (Philips, Sony, Sony, Revox).  They all went to the council kerb-side-clean-up along with 2 cassette decks (Yamaha, Denon). 

 

I used them to copy LPs to save wear and tear on the record.  I did have one "master" made by university colleagues (who had just finished B.Mus.) in 1969-ish.  It of course was only a copy of a copy (only twice, maybe) with layered hiss.  At the time there were no commercial tapes of anything like what I played music-wise and I suspect that there is absolutely nothing that I would play now.

 

Eventually the tapes deteriorated with age and so did the machines which required more maintenance than they were worth.  And no more vinyl to copy either.  All gone to the tip.  No fond memories.

[Jai Normass]

I can't believe this thread is still going  , the best sound is none of the above ..

Digital = Rubbish 

Reel to reel = Rubbish 

Vinyl  = Rubbish 

A radio on the back of a Pizza delivery moped in Bali  blasting out your favourite songs beats them all  !

[rantan]

You forgot this.

 

[Glass_and_Tubes]

  On 04/02/2024 at 3:14 AM, stevenvalve said:

Yes, it is an unfortunate truth that many people here on SNA are just amateurs, giving opinions with very limited knowledge, it is not their fault because they only know what they know. But how do other forum members learn when that is the case, but where do you draw the line. I have found that people on SNA generally figure out who to listen too. 

Expand  

THIS is truth.

I've heard many $100k+ systems in Asia, Americas and Europe. What is good is very subjective and personal. Many of these high end systems bore me - impressive but do not emotionally connect with me. But I, like many I'm sure, used to think this is what good sound is meant to be (blame hifi shows and hifi shops).  These days, I look for system that move me emotionally....and I can say first time I heard the Struder A810 reel-2-reel playing on a very modest system (sitting on the floor!) not even propertly setup, it COMPLETELY eclipsed all $50k+ vinyl systems I've heard. It was not subtle ... I knew I've just stumbled across something very special.

That said, the user experience is very limited, the music EVEN more so. Maintenance/repairs would be a challenge but to me, the sound is  exceptional. Would I get one - highly doubt it but I am grateful I got to experience it.

So when people argue online what is good/best...I'm with @stevenvalve that what people know is what people know.

Edited February 4, 2024 by Glass_and_Tubes

[ENIGMA]

  On 04/02/2024 at 4:55 AM, Peter_F said:

Just putting it out there that I've heard great things about the sound of R2R, but have never heard one.

 

But, to those who own R2R where do you obtain commercially released tapes (pre-recorded) like one can purchase vinyl and CD? And how main stream is the music and, what does it cost? Or are R2R owners recording their own tapes from 'inferior' sources such as vinyl?

 

Also, what is the convenience factor compared to using a turntable and CD player when changing tapes on a hi-end RTR? 

Expand  

 

I get mine from several overseas companies that have access to the masters and are licensed to sell them.  You're looking at around $500 to $1800 new lots of Jazz and Classical but other genres are limited.

 

Copying vinyl defeats the point - unless you are an Akai owner.

 

CD is most convenient, you can pop one in the machine and press play with one hand without spilling a drop of your cardonnay holding a glass  in the other. Vinyl - cardonnay washes off with the garden hose which sometimes is necessary but tape - get your cheese crackers tangled up in it and forgedaboutit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ENIGMA]

  On 04/02/2024 at 5:36 AM, Jai Normass said:

I can't believe this thread is still going  , the best sound is none of the above ..

Digital = Rubbish 

Reel to reel = Rubbish 

Vinyl  = Rubbish 

A radio on the back of a Pizza delivery moped in Bali  blasting out your favourite songs beats them all  !

Expand  

CD must be ok then.

[Jai Normass]

  On 05/02/2024 at 2:36 AM, ENIGMA said:

CD must be ok then.

Expand  

CD counts as Digital  .

[ENIGMA]

  On 05/02/2024 at 4:05 AM, Jai Normass said:

CD counts as Digital  .

Expand  

I have an Edison Cylinder gramophone - I'll stick with that.

 

Crap, its analogue!

[Jai Normass]

  On 05/02/2024 at 5:34 AM, ENIGMA said:

I have an Edison Cylinder gramophone - I'll stick with that.

 

Crap, its analogue!

Expand  

That will probably sound better than the rest of your gear  , so sit back and enjoy it , have a good evening  .

[bob_m_54]

  On 05/02/2024 at 2:34 AM, ENIGMA said:

 

I get mine from several overseas companies that have access to the masters and are licensed to sell them.  You're looking at around $500 to $1800 new lots of Jazz and Classical but other genres are limited.

 

Copying vinyl defeats the point - unless you are an Akai owner.

 

CD is most convenient, you can pop one in the machine and press play with one hand without spilling a drop of your cardonnay holding a glass  in the other. Vinyl - cardonnay washes off with the garden hose which sometimes is necessary but tape - get your cheese crackers tangled up in it and forgedaboutit.

 

Expand  

Nice little dig there.. LOL . When I got my original R2R, I was 17 and earning the paltry sum of about $70.00 per fortnight, back in 1973. Buying prerecorded tapes was just not feasible to me, let alone masters (if they were even available). I only got it because a mate was upgrading to a better R2R, and he practically gave it to me. So the recording of other peoples LPs was the only useful way for me to use it.

 

And even then, it wasn't very practical, for me, when you consider the PITA factor of rewinding and FF'ing tapes to find something, then rewinding so that the tape was back on the right spool after listening.  Also, as you mentioned, dropping a spool when a bit tipsy, during a party, and having it roll across the floor picking up the spilled drinks, cigarette ash and dropped nibblies.. It was much easier cleaning the rum & coke rings off the vinyl.

 

Being able to listen to a multi LP album, without having to change records and sides was probably the biggest advantage I found for it. But I moved on and gave it to my younger brother..

 

I can understand the attraction for an enthusiast, with high end gear (especially with good recordings), in a dedicated listening situation. I just didn't find it practical for my every day listening use.

[ENIGMA]

All good, its all in jest.

 

There is no denying the RtR appeal is to a niche group and brings with it all the expense and inconvenience of dealing with a large physical media format.

 

The rewards though when all the planets are aligned and you press play .................................