Munich High-End 2018 Ron Report: Ballfinger Reel-to-Reel Tape Machines

[Ron Resnick]

Roland Schnider of Ballfinger was displaying three of his new reel-to-reel tape machines.











I asked Roland if he has any plans to produce a 30ips machine. He said that he does intend to produce a 30ips, 1/4" machine. He said he also plans to produce a 1/2" machine!

The playback-only version of the machine costs less than $10,000. (For half a meter of fancy interconnect you can have a whole new source component!)

 

[spiritofmusic]

Ron, does this look like the Real Deal to you?

 

[Ron Resnick]

I am not sure what the "real deal" means. Unlike the Horch House Revox, this absolutely is a real machine.

It looks very well thought out and well built, but it is impossible to know how the motors and the transport and the controller actual treat the tape compared to a new UHA or to a vintage Studer.

 

[CKKeung]

I am not sure what the "real deal" means. Unlike the Horch House Revox, this absolutely is a real machine.
It looks very well thought out and well built, but it is impossible to know how the motors and the transport and the controller actual treat the tape compared to a new UHA or to a vintage Studer.

Hello Ron,
They are on silent display only?

 

[Ron Resnick]

Yes. The machines function, but they were not connected to any stereo.

 

[Tapetech]

One article on this deck stated the machine in your bottom photo did not have an "output amp". Which suggests that it is "head output" only. Don't know if that statement was accurate, though.

 

[jeff1225]

Very cool Ron, thank you for sharing.

 

[Ron Resnick]

One article on this deck stated the machine in your bottom photo did not have an "output amp". Which suggests that it is "head output" only. Don't know if that statement was accurate, though.

Yes, one of the versions is head output only.

 

[andromedaaudio]

Thanks for the pics .
Looking at the website and construction pics , solid design
This is indeed a completely new design and very nicely built, indeed no more escaping now for audiophiles who want the best.
Its also great for the recordingworld to have a modern sevicable deck , plus the price is very reasonable imo.
Who knows i might be in the market for one these.
Modular design plus a heads out direct for other tapeamps, looks well thought out designed.
Machined aluminium frame Nice

 

[astrotoy]

Ron, thanks. I'm surprised that that the Ballfingers were silent. One of tape vendors told me they requested and he sent them a tape to demo during the show. Seems obvious that the sound quality is an unknown until we can actually hear it. Maybe it isn't quite ready for prime time. Larry

 

[jackelsson]

Ron, thanks. I'm surprised that that the Ballfingers were silent. One of tape vendors told me they requested and he sent them a tape to demo during the show. Seems obvious that the sound quality is an unknown until we can actually hear it. Maybe it isn't quite ready for prime time. Larry

Might have to do with the fact that they only had a small booth without listening cabin. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me to play a high end R2R machine in the middle of a noisy exhibition hall. As far as I know it's not easy to get a listening cabin in one of the halls, let alone a proper room in the atrium of the High End show. And that is not even talking about the costs for this, just the sheer possibility to get one in the first place.

 

[astrotoy]

Might have to do with the fact that they only had a small booth without listening cabin. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me to play a high end R2R machine in the middle of a noisy exhibition hall. As far as I know it's not easy to get a listening cabin in one of the halls, let alone a proper room in the atrium of the High End show. And that is not even talking about the costs for this, just the sheer possibility to get one in the first place.

Thanks, that would explain it. The vendor does read WBF and probably would be interested in knowing that his tape was not played. Larry