Pre Amp With Tape Input

[Jazzbo]

Good evening forum members,
About 9 months ago I posted a a note about my interest in having a tape head pre amp build and a need for information about quality cables that run from the playback heads. I did get info about the quality cables I would need and where I might purchase what I needed. However, the prices were way out of my spending range. As a retiree I knew I was in trouble because I could not afford this cable. One of the people on that forum was was a gentleman by the name of Ki Choi. He sent me a private message requesting my address. I was shocked when I opened the package from him. In it more than enough of this extremely high quality cable Mr. Choi uses on some of his many tape decks. I was very moved by this and plan to send the tape head pre amp I am having built to him and all of his golden eared music lovers as soon as it's complete. I want them to put it through the paces and provide feedback. I can hardly wait. Mr. Choi and I have been in contact since my very early post and I've come to learn he has no problems providing advice and being helpful. I've found that same sense of reaching out here on this forum. Everyone here has been just wonderful.

However, here is my question. Somewhere I've read that some forum members have used older audio pre amps and intergrated amps as an amplifying device using cables directly from the playback tape heads. I have a modified Classe DR-5 pre amp I use with a modified Threshold power amp. The pre amp has a tape in and output. I've used both of my Tascam Reel to Reels but have never attempted to run cables directly from the tape playback heads. Is this something others have done effectively and gotten good sound? Thanks all and hope i've been clear here.

jazzbo

 

[Bruce B]

This would be like taking the leads directly from your cartridge into your preamp. It won't work for 2 reasons.

Like the phono's RIAA curve, the tape has 2, NAB and CCIR/IEC

And the second, there is not enough gain. Like the phono, you need a SU transformer for a MC or a phono pre for a MM.

 

[Jazzbo]

Good morning Mr. Brown and thank you so much for your comments. I thought this might not work, but there is nothing worse than not asking the question. What you say certainly makes sense. I do appreciate.

jazzbo

 

[microstrip]

This would be like taking the leads directly from your cartridge into your preamp. It won't work for 2 reasons.

Like the phono's RIAA curve, the tape has 2, NAB and CCIR/IEC

And the second, there is not enough gain. Like the phono, you need a SU transformer for a MC or a phono pre for a MM.

Bruce,

Although the EQ would be always a problem unless we decide to go the DIY route and cannibalize the DR5, I think that gain will not be a problem with the Classe DR5 - the MC gain could be tailored between 55 dB and 75 dB.

I own a Bottlehead tape head amplifier that can be switched to either CCIR/IEC or RIAA, allowing its use with phono cartridges.

Surely we have to consider what is the output of the tape head fitted to the machine - there is wide variance in this field.

My dream - or perhaps more wisely, my nightmare - modifying an Audio Research REF2 phono to CCIR/IEC to listen to the Tapeproject recordings in an all ARC system!

 

[c1ferrari]

Mr. Choi...has no problems providing advice and being helpful. I've found that same sense of reaching out here on this forum. Everyone here has been just wonderful.
jazzbo

Excellent post, Jazzbo...+1, as they say!

 

[Jazzbo]

I am more than pleased to be welcomed as I've been by members of this fine forum. It's good to be welcomed. As a matter of fact I feel like it's even OK to ask questions and not feel as if there is such a thing as a "dumb question". Thanks all you've been wonderful to me.

jazzbo

 

[NorthStar]

-- The audio/video forums that are my favorites are the ones where members welcome new members. ...Where you sense the friendliness of a tight/lovely/helpful/respectful family.

 

[Ki Choi]

I have a modified Classe DR-5 pre amp I use with a modified Threshold power amp. The pre amp has a tape in and output. I've used both of my Tascam Reel to Reels but have never attempted to run cables directly from the tape playback heads. Is this something others have done effectively and gotten good sound? Thanks all and hope i've been clear here.

jazzbo

Hi Bob:

As Bruce had pointed out, the Classe DR-5's "tape in" is for playing line level signal from your tape recorder outputs without any EQs and "Tape Out" is to record whatever the source you have selected.

I think your wish is to connect the tape repro head to a preamp in place of other dedicated outboard tape head preamps. I have a Marantz 7C old preamp that has a set of tape head inputs with NAB EQ and HF adjustments. It really sounds good when mated with good head and calibrated properly with MRL tape. Audio Research SP3 also had tape head inputs when Rich Brown brought it over to my house few years back. Just acquired a McIntosh MX-110 which also has a set of tape head inputs. The interesting part about the Mx-110 is that its tape head input circuit is identical to Ampex 351. I plan to rebuild it and use it for tape head preamp along with Marantz and my other tube tape head preamp; Manley Tube Tape Head Preamp.

 

[Jazzbo]

Feeling Welcomed

-- The audio/video forums that are my favorites are the ones where members welcome new members. ...Where you sense the friendliness of a tight/lovely/helpful/respectful family.

Right you are NorthStar and I have certainly been made to feel very welcomed here. It makes me feel special and pleased.

jazzbo

 

[Jazzbo]

Ki, not only do you have a slew of (don't know how many) tape decks, you also appear to have more than some number of electronics. Please share with us how and when you schedule listening to each piece of equipment?

jazzbo

 

[Jazzbo]

Thank you Bruce and of course you are right on the money. My Classe pre was built back in 1990 I believe. It would appear I would have to go back at least another 10 years to about 1980 in order to find a pre that has all of the circuitry required to play directly from the tape head. It was just a thought I had and asked the question. Thanks for your response.

jazzbo

 

[Ki Choi]

It would appear I would have to go back at least another 10 years to about 1980 in order to find a pre that has all of the circuitry required to play directly from the tape head. jazzbo

Hi Bob:

It would be more like 30 years instead of 10 yr.

In addition, it would be best to have at least HF adjustments or get it and have a tech adjust it internally for your tape head.

 

[Jazzbo]

Tape Head Pre Amp

Hi Bob:

It would be more like 30 years instead of 10 yr.

In addition, it would be best to have at least HF adjustments or get it and have a tech adjust it internally for your tape head.

OK Ki and thanks for your comments. Be back in touch soon.:b

jazzbo