In person this thing is really beautiful.
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The fidelity of a two-track recorder running at 15ips is superior to that of a four-track recorder running at 15ips, assuming the same tape width. The reason for this is that the width of the metal oxide under the head in a two-track system is 2x wider than in a four-track recording.
Whether or not it is superior to CD or DSD is a matter of recording quality and personal preferences (taste). Many CDs (think AAD CDs) are most likely digitized copies of master tapes.
I have an Ultratape copy of Nora Jones’ “Come Away With Me,” which is a two-track 15ips copy made directly from one of the master tapes. I can tell you that there are details I hear on that tape I have not heard on any digital copy. Does that make the tape better? That depends. It certainly makes it different.
Each medium has its positives and negatives. None of them are perfect. Recognizing that, I tend to listen to the medium for which I am in the mood. Sometimes it’s DSD, sometimes it’s streaming, sometimes it’s vinyl, and sometimes it’s R2R tape. I appreciate each of them for what they are and enjoy listening to them when I am in the mood. Comparing them to try to identify “the best” format doesn’t make sense to me.
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Happy Cake 
Day
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It was the first place I went at Axpona. They had the two reel version Stella, and Saturday Night in San Francisco. I should have bought that as well. Ooops.
Thanks for answering my question. Next week when my take up reel arrives I am in business.
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Yes. I e seen these online. I was hoping to find one at spec for a lot less. I just don’t need all the bling
For anyone wishing to acquire a R2R deck without refinancing their mortgage, I can personally recommend the Tech Trader site. The business is located in Switzerland and run by a gentleman named Urs Steiner. Urs completely rebuilds various Revox R2R decks to a condition that is better than new. He offers Revox A77/A700, B77 and PR99 (MK1, MK II and MK III) models. He also offers several color schemes and custom engravings to further personalize your deck. I bought my Revox PR99 MK II from him about four years ago and it has performed flawlessly.
For folks in the USA, this model (listed at 6950 CHF) can be purchased for less than $8000 USD plus shipping and import duty.
It is easily my best source when playing a high quality Master Tape (copy) like the Ultratape series that Acoustic Sounds carries.
High quality tapes are expensive and the selections are limited (but getting better!). However, if you are the type of audiophile that finds the tactile elements of turntables enjoyable, dancing analog meters and rotating reels mesmerizing, owned (or lusted for) a R2R in your youth and want exceptional sound then you are a good candidate for R2R bliss 
.
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So here is a stupid ?? Question. Why do these decks have a volume control? None of my old cassette decks had an output volume. If I were to get one - I would want to go out to my tube preamps tape input. What am I missing here. Why would I want dual volumes or would you just have the output on the tape deck at 10 similar to what we do with a DS dac?
Looks industrial, Al. If it sounds half as good as it looks, you’ve really got something there.
optimum output Balance…(like for my MSB DAC’s…no output channel variance for maximum purity of signal)
It is for sale on Audiogon. Its $18K. It’s pretty special.
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But then I would have to start a new collection of R2R tapes, which are not cheap. But the new level of sound that I would also get, tempting…
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Oh my. So here is the big question. Well maybe not but anyway…
The 1506 records in 4 track / will play both 2/4 track. The 1500 records in 2 track / plays 2/4 track. If you are going to record a bit - does a 2 track recording quality trump the tape savings you get w 4 track?
Secondly - tape project uses EIC equalization on their recordings - most recordings are NAB equalization. Hope I said that right. How important is it to have flexibility like this on your deck.
Finally - Al that is one sweet looking machine. Tell us how your revox a77 compares to your best digital or your Abby Road compares. Although the latest remaster is thru the roof in my opinion.
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So can anyone recommend a starting point if one wants to experiment? Or is this just a hobby for folks with “Al” money? Just a good value set up that i can line into a Rose that does not limit growth should i really get hooked. I see these things everywhere but just grabbing one off Craigslist is maybe not a good idea.
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For anyone interested in learning more… there is a AnaDialog podcast out there on YouTube. The guy talks a lot about tape / what to look for in a machine etc. and Skyfi audio has some nice informational pieces as well on YouTube.
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Thank you. Ill exit this thread now. Lol
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Haha. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m not sure if that was directed at me or the 18k machine. But I’m learning and have learned a lot from YouTube podcasts on this topic.
I’m still perplexed as to why the tape deck would have a volume control. I get having controls for recording and setting left and right recording levels.
Thanks. The 18k machine. If thats what it takes then ill just skip R2R thank you. Ill do some research. Just thought some may have progressed thru a unit or two and hence recommend something. Ill cruise Youtube. Always fun
So here is my impression. Those guys put a lot into bling. We want a deck that performs up to spec that looks clean. I’ve seen refurbed 1500 or 1506 for 3-4k. I’ve seen one similar to what Al showed w all the bling - in cherry red - for 8k. I’ve also heard of cheap pickups that work for under 1k. I gravitated to the technics because of their flexibility 1 can play 15ips. 2 the 1520 has flexible equalization to play either. 3 I have a choice - best possible recording fidelity @ 2track/ 15ips or go w 1506 - which can record on both sides of the tape like a cassette and preserve tape. The pre recorded tapes are recorded multiple ways w different equalization.
The biggest issue is tape availability and the best of the best are 500 dollar tapes. But if you are thinking of recording - or looking for nice 7ips 4 track tapes (ie side a on one side of the tape / side b on the other) you might find some killer recordings and be mesmerized by the tape spools.
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