Contemplating Reel to Reel

[naturephoto1]

Well, Wayne did bill my credit card for the outstanding balance for the machine. Andy, the tech finished the modification to the cards for operating the advancing, stopping, etc. of the transport and has shipped them back to Wayne. Next week is a short week due to the Labor Day Holiday, so Wayne will receive the cards sometime next week. Depending upon when will determine the time running the last of the checks to the Ampex, packaging, and shipment. So, it is possible that the machine may be done and shipped next week. However, and if is not and it would not be delivered by September 20 (because I will be in Florida from September 21 to September 28) it will have to have a scheduled delivery of September 29 or September 30. Very disappointing at this point that this is going to turn into a wait of close to 4, possibly more months to complete the project.

Roch

 

[RogerD]

Well, Wayne did bill my credit card for the outstanding balance for the machine. Andy, the tech finished the modification to the cards for operating the advancing, stopping, etc. of the transport and has shipped them back to Wayne. Next week is a short week due to the Labor Day Holiday, so Wayne will receive the cards sometime next week. Depending upon when will determine the time running the last of the checks to the Ampex, packaging, and shipment. So, it is possible that the machine may be done and shipped next week. However, and if is not and it would not be delivered by September 20 (because I will be in Florida from September 21 to September 28) it will have to have a scheduled delivery of September 29 or September 30. Very disappointing at this point that this is going to turn into a wait of close to 4, possibly more months to complete the project.

Rich

Hi Rich,

From my own experience ,numerous times,custom projects can have delays. Your delay is minor and it will be well worth the wait to have the machine properly setup and tested before it ships. I know it can be a anxious time,if it happens,good,but enjoy your vacation and you have something to look foward to when you return.

Roger

 

[mep]

Sometimes you have to wait for good things to happen. I waited over 4 months for Counterpoint to be upgraded the last time and then decided to take a beating on it and move it on down the road. My Technics plinth project took well over 3 months, but was well worth the wait as I now have the best table I have ever owned. The old saying that you can have quality or speed, but you can't have both holds true when you are dealing with the great techs of the world.

 

[microstrip]

Sometimes you have to wait for good things to happen. (...) .

I took delivery of a sealed Audio Research REF150 a few days ago. Even if I play it 24 over 24, I will not know how it really sounds until the end of the month ...

 

[MylesBAstor]

I took delivery of a sealed Audio Research REF150 a few days ago. Even if I play it 24 over 24, I will not know how it really sounds until the end of the month ...

Ohhhhh....the agony...... Can't wait to hear your impressions.

What makes me crazy though are these new products with XLR/balanced only inputs. Know that one can convert but doesn't sound the same. So either you have a balanced pre or can't really use the amplifier

 

[naturephoto1]

I have not heard anything from Wayne regarding the cards returned from Andy (but Wayne had informed me that they were dropped off this past Saturday and shipped on Tuesday for delivery on either this past Thursday or yesterday). I presume that they arrived in good order. Hopefully the upgraded hybrid Ampex 440C/B will function as intended with Andy's modifications to the cards. But, since I have heard nothing from Wayne, my suspicion is that he has not completed all of the testing of the machine and packed everything for shipment. Monday is September 12 and I will be away from September 21 to September 28. The machine will be in 2 boxes and be shipped via FEDEX Ground (5 days shipping from Palm Springs to Breinigsville, PA). I presume, that unless there are additional problems, Wayne will arrange for delivery on either September 29 or September 30. That will be a bit over 4 months from order to receipt. But, that is a far cry for the order to completion and installation of my Teres Certus 450 TT and the Teres Illius Tonearm which took 10 months. My OMA New Yorker Prototype horn speakers took a little over 5 months from being on the drawing board to my delivery.

Rich

 

[c1ferrari]

Rich, I have this feeling that...

I have not heard anything from Wayne regarding the cards returned from Andy (but Wayne had informed me that they were dropped off this past Saturday and shipped on Tuesday for delivery on either this past Thursday or yesterday). I presume that they arrived in good order. Hopefully the upgraded hybrid Ampex 440C/B will function as intended with Andy's modifications to the cards. But, since I have heard nothing from Wayne, my suspicion is that he has not completed all of the testing of the machine and packed everything for shipment. Monday is September 12 and I will be away from September 21 to September 28. The machine will be in 2 boxes and be shipped via FEDEX Ground (5 days shipping from Palm Springs to Breinigsville, PA). I presume, that unless there are additional problems, Wayne will arrange for delivery on either September 29 or September 30. That will be a bit over 4 months from order to receipt. But, that is a far cry for the order to completion and installation of my Teres Certus 450 TT and the Teres Illius Tonearm which took 10 months. My OMA New Yorker Prototype horn speakers took a little over 5 months from being on the drawing board to my delivery.

Rich

it will all be worth it

 

[naturephoto1]

Wayne has shipped my upgraded hybrid Ampex 440C/B tape deck and it is scheduled to be delivered on Monday, October 3. I had hoped for a delivery on Friday, but the machine was shipped on Tuesday.

Rich

 

[MylesBAstor]

Wayne has shipped my upgraded hybrid Ampex 440C/B tape deck and it is scheduled to be delivered on Monday, October 3. I had hoped for a delivery on Friday, but the machine was shipped on Tuesday.

Rich

Well you're closer to the finish than the start now

 

[RogerD]

Wayne has shipped my upgraded hybrid Ampex 440C/B tape deck and it is scheduled to be delivered on Monday, October 3. I had hoped for a delivery on Friday, but the machine was shipped on Tuesday.

Rich

Great Rich......tick....tick.....tick

I'm almost excited as you are.

 

[c1ferrari]

We're all happy for you, Rich

 

[naturephoto1]

Thanks Myles, Roger and Sam. Now I am starting to get excited. FEDEX lists the 2 boxes of parts weighing 110 pounds for the upgraded Ampex 440C/B R2R tape deck loaded on the truck ready for delivered on Monday, October 3.

I hope that everything will run smoothly assembling all of the parts and loading the machine into the Compact Case. I have to call Wayne after everything arrives so that he can provide me with some instruction for the assembly.

Rich

 

[Fred]

Wayne has shipped my upgraded hybrid Ampex 440C/B tape deck and it is scheduled to be delivered on Monday, October 3. I had hoped for a delivery on Friday, but the machine was shipped on Tuesday.

Rich

The waiting is the hardest part...Hmm, where have I heard that before

 

[RogerD]

Thanks Myles, Roger and Sam. Now I am starting to get excited. FEDEX lists the 2 boxes of parts weighing 110 pounds for the upgraded Ampex 440C/B R2R tape deck loaded on the truck ready for delivered on Monday, October 3.

I hope that everything will run smoothly assembling all of the parts and loading the machine into the Compact Case. I have to call Wayne after everything arrives so that he can provide me with some instruction for the assembly.

Rich

Christmas comes early.........

Rich atleast tomorrow is football day.......are you a Eagles fan? If so we should make a little wager....

 

[c1ferrari]

Excellent, Rich

Thanks Myles, Roger and Sam. Now I am starting to get excited. FEDEX lists the 2 boxes of parts weighing 110 pounds for the upgraded Ampex 440C/B R2R tape deck loaded on the truck ready for delivered on Monday, October 3.

I hope that everything will run smoothly assembling all of the parts and loading the machine into the Compact Case. I have to call Wayne after everything arrives so that he can provide me with some instruction for the assembly.

Rich

Sounds exciting

 

[naturephoto1]

It is here and up and running.

Close-up photo of the rear of the upgraded hybrid Ampex 440C/B R2R tape deck in the compact case. In the photo you can see the installed IEC intlet near the upper left and the 2 installed RCA inputs in red below the IEC inlet. The RCA inputs bypass some of the circuitry and the record should sound better than stock:

Close-up photo of the rear of the upgraded hybrid Ampex 440C/B R2R tape deck in the compact case. In the photo you can see the RCA outputs in white which also bypass some of the circuitry and playback sounds better than stock:

Rich

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

And?????? Impressions??????

Look fantastic Rich! Congrats, and I'm glad the wait is over for you!

 

[RogerD]

I'm biased but that looks beautiful Rich! Stunning photography and the classic look of the Ampex and Andrew's case fit's very well with the such a wonderful system you have. Congrats!!

 

[MylesBAstor]

Looks great and should give you many hours of pleasure! I'd keep that variac away from my tapes though! Those variacs really can put out a magnetic field.

 

[Steve williams]

I would agree Myles. In R2R it is a nightmare if it ever happens