Recent content by adrianywu

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    New Reel-to-Reel Titles - 4-Track?

    The crosstalk issue with 1/4 track tape really depends on the head and the alignment. If properly done, crosstalk should not be a problem. The Ampex made 1/4 track tapes esp. from the late 60s and early 70s. can sound astonishingly good. The classical titles are a steal. I have bought NOS...
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    Belt Drive vs Direct Drive and which one?

    Quite surprisingly, the acoustics was great. No obvious treatment, and the subwoofers were not even noticeable until turned off. The guy has spent a lifetime collecting and perfecting his system.
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    Belt Drive vs Direct Drive and which one?

    I have very limited experience with direct drive TTs, only having heard the new Thorens TD124dd and the EMT 950 in more than passing. I am more familiar with idler and belt drives, having experience with the best of the two breeds. I went to visit an elderly gentleman who has been collecting...
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    Metaxas Papillon

    There are very few people left in the tape department at Nagra, shocking as this may seem. Now that Hubert Bartels has fully retired, we Nagra T owners are on thin ice. These machines are definitely not for DIY types. I have heard that Nagra will start manufacturing the QGB adapter again...
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    Metaxas Papillon

    W&F figures published by European manufacturers are generally DIN unweighted. Other figures are specifically stated when published, and Ampex usually publish several standards, but they differ only slightly. I did read the Wiki page. As it says "As with many audio standards, these are...
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    Metaxas Papillon

    The reason why THD is a poor measurement is because it fails to distinguish between consonant (harmless) and dissonant (harmful) harmonics. This is equivalent to measuring total cholesterol for cardiovascular disease risk. That's why we now measure LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol...
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    Metaxas Papillon

    Are you now saying that intermodulation distortion also does not matter to sound quality as well ? "So the measurement is essentially meaningless if you try to compare from one machine to another." How do you arrive at this conclusion ? W&F given by the manufacturers are measured by using...
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    Archiving vinyl/tape

    I have been archiving all my master tapes to DSD128 using the Tascam DA3000. This recorder is a self contained unit that does not require a computer, and records onto either SD cards or CF cards. It excels in DSD, and you should be able to find second hand ones for less than $1000. DSD128 can...
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    Metaxas Papillon

    The quoted figures from the Nagra and Revox are at 15 ips. At 30 ips, the figures are lower. Typical figure with the Nagra T is 0.022%, with 0.032% as the upper limit of acceptability. Not sure what the weighting you are referring to means. Please explain. And how does the W&F relate to THD...
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    Metaxas Papillon

    It is probably real, but it does not matter. The Nagra T's W&F is <0.032%, and even the lowly Revox B77 is <0.08%. But the Metaxas is better than all of them. All those folks who worked to reduce W&F were stupid, apparently.
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    Tape Pancakes, Oh No!

    Hi Ron, I have a contact with a Chinese factory that supplies reels and packaging to tape manufacturers, and you can buy the flanges direct from the factory. You can just fix them directly onto the hubs. The cost is very reasonable if you buy in bulk.
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    Living Voice R80 OBX

    That's interesting that you chose the R80 then. I found the R80 and the VOX cut pretty much from the same cloth. The R80 of course does not have the scale, the dynamics and the speed of the VOX, but tonally very similar and just as musical.
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    Metaxas Papillon

    I think you are confusing the saying "good specs do not guarantee good sound" with " good specs are not necessary for good sound"
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    Metaxas Papillon

    That's what people would say if they can't achieve decent specs.
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    Living Voice R80 OBX

    Congratulations for making an excellent choice. I know Kevin and Lynn well, having bought the VOX Olympian/Elysian about 8 years ago. Musicality is always the priority for Kevin, whether it is the top horn speaker or the entry level speaker. After a few years, I am sure you will be tempted to...

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