Well, the waiting’s almost over as Metaxas & Sins will launch one of the world’s first modern-day open reel tape recorders next week in Munich, Germany at the High End Show.

If you are familiar with the unique work of creator Kostas Metaxas, you’ll know you should set your expectation levels high.

If you're a forum regular, you will also have no doubt noticed that interest in reel-to-reel players and recorders has been increasing over the years.

For those of you confused by this resurgence, the reason for this audiophile love for such a vintage and oversized format it that many see open reel tape is the incontestable master of superb sound. But what if you don’t have the know-how to bring an old machine back to working order?

Until now, buying a brand new open reel tape deck wasn’t an option. There weren’t any. Production for both consumers and professional studios ceased a couple of decades ago thanks to the advances of the digital age. But what digital technology offers in economies and conveniences, it generally never matches in authentic, visceral detail.

What initially stands out about a Metaxas & Sins product is its unmistakable design. Far from the usual black or silver box of electronics, this is where hi-fi meets modern art.

These pieces are magnificent, avant-garde sculptures. But don’t imagine for a second that this is a case of all style and no substance. This is state-of-the-art listening. Not a simple matter of sound quality, but rather what Metaxas calls “truth in sound”.

Kostas Metaxas tells StereoNET UK:

There’s no doubt that the absolute best ‘source’ for reproduced music is analogue tape and that reel-to-reel tape recorders are the best way to record and capture music, bar none. This is a fact, not open for discussion,

Over the years, Metaxas has worked particularly closely with Stellavox and so, to honour his love for that brand, the design of the new Metaxas open reel tape recorder will draw heavily on the classic Stellavox SM8 – with the full blessing of Stellavox’s founder Georges Quellet.

The Metaxas & Sins ‘GQT’

The Metaxas & Sins ‘GQT’ (Georges Quellet Tribute) is a portable analogue tape machine designed for on-location recording as well as for home or studio playback.

Biased for either SM468 or SM911 1/4″ analogue tape, it operates at 15ips using a brushless DC motor in a purely mechanical operation.

In other words, it’s built like a large mechanical Swiss watch mechanism – with absolutely no logic controls or other computer-controlled components.

The circuits use 100% discrete transistors and feature parts comparable in construction to those found in decks crafted in the 1960s and early 1970s before the introduction of logic controls and 5534 operational amplifiers.

Metaxas continues:

Magnetic tape technology is extremely complex. It places the highest demands on detail and precision in design and engineering. But its sound qualities have never been bettered so it’s 100% worth the challenge. For me, it’s absolutely essential that open reel tape continues to exist – and indeed thrive – alongside other formats. I’m genuinely honoured to be playing a small part in making that happen.

Be there

Metaxas & Sins will launch the ‘GQT’ (Georges Quellet Tribute) open reel tape recorder at the Munich High End Show on 10th-13th May 2018 in Hall 1.0, Stand DO1a.

For more information visit Metaxas & Sins.