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I greatly appreciate this experience-based advice. While it seems to me that some opinions are a bit strong here ("machine is useless") it is very helpful to get facts and some sense talked into me! Yes I'm excited about these machines and that can blur judgment. I only need tape for finalising...

I found another A810. This is a max 15ips version without VU's. What do you think of the heads? Again, for my purposes it won't need to be a workhorse (it's for mastering my own music, occasional live recordings, usage around 50 to 80 hours per year, hopefully minimal service for the next 10 or...

Good info here! Thanks to all who contributed. I did spoke to Tinman. My conclusion so far is that I'm better off with my B77 HS which is in pretty good calibrated shape and capable of 15 ips. The A810 is a dream machine for sure, but spending thousands + possible maintenance headaches don't...

I appreciate the advice. It's good to know about the relapping. Though I wouldn't want to buy a deck of this caliber, if it didn't sound reasonably up to spec without additional servicing. By 'reasonably' I mean that any deterioration in the sound from the head-wear should be virtually inaudible...

Here are a few more images I received. Should I be worried that the heads are no longer up to spec (without relapping)?

Thanks - very nice to get a reply. Here's one more, a digitally zoomed photo of the rec and playback heads. The one on the right seems to have punctures, i.e. holes / cavities out of wear on the upper part. It also seems to have ridging i.e. vertical lines / edges. Are these big enough to be...

Hi all, I'm checking out a Studer A810 for sale. I may not be able to test it before buying & will have it shipped. The seller says it is in excellent condition technically. These are the best images of the tape heads he managed to send me. They have visible wear but I'm not sure, if it's a deal...

Sounds good! How would you say it improved the sound compared to the original wall wart?

Only very shortly, as it seems too impractical for me. But thanks for the suggestion anyway. I have some better quality 12v adapters for my synths and studio gear lying around, like a 12v /5.5 amp (with the correct polarity). Only switching ones. But I'll try if they make a difference compared...

Cheers! My speakers are Totem Sky bookshelf and Omega Super 3 HO. The latter are better for acoustic music and very low volume listening which I do 90 % of the time. For the passive preamp / switchbox, I was actually considering the Schiit Saga because of the remote control. In any case, I need...

Hi, I've had the Tube-01 for a few years now, mostly unsued in the box. I recently got some Soviet tubes and now it sounds much better. I'd like to try replacing my current vintage hifi system with a dual mono Allo Volt D and a passive preamp around the Tube-01. I've understood that upgrading...

That's fascinating! And sorry, my posts were probably in the wrong thread - but at least it's very nice to know about these comparisons. Will def keep an eye here.

Up there in post #9104 I asked about comparisons between these inexpensive class D mini amps and in particular older higher end amps. I didn't get many replies (maybe wrong place) & thanks to those who did. But now I'd like to share a small update: I recently received an Amptastic Mini-1 (with...

Comparisons between inexpensive mini amps vs older or modern higher end power amps? Could anyone point me to a good source of information ? My Accuphase E-202 is getting old and grumpy so I'm looking for something to replace it. I use it as power amp with a Sanyo Plus C55 preamp. Both late 70s...

The LS50 are very good speakers and match reasonably well with the Accuphase. They are well balanced and quite musical speakers. The way they pick out even the most subtle transients is impressive. The imaging is strong but very pin sharp. Contrary to what some say, I don't find these speakers...

So yesterday very shortly, about 15 min, I auditioned the KEF R3 in a hifi store. Unfortunately I wasn't very impressed although the sound was undeniably detailed and very balanced throughout the spectrum. They sounded very dry, analytical, non-airy and thus not very musical. However - and I...

Thanks, that's an interesting shootout (though not so detailed), direct comparisons are always useful. But the Dynaudio Special 40s are about EUR 3k so 1000 over my budget and it seems they were driven by 500 watts of power. Dynaudio has a good rep in also their lesser models but it seems they...

The E-202 has a specific tone that could be described as wide, airy, relaxed and warm yet very detailed. It is not very punchy or dynamic. The reason I posted in this subforum is to know about experiences on matching speakers with their E-202's. I've been reading a lot of threads etc. about the...

Thanks. Yeah but obviously that doesn't mean knowing about other people's experiences couldn't be helpful. Anyway it seems this is not the most active sub forum for this type of question.

I'm guessing nobody here likes sub-2000 speakers with their E-202 :rolleyes:

Although my recently acquired E-202 “deserves” better I haven’t found anything to replace my trusty old Usher S-520 II. I’ve home-demoed the following, yet none of them clearly surpassed the Ushers, all things considered. Quad 12 L: (only tried with my Quad 303): too relaxed and lazy, not much...

I have to take back a bit what I said about the Ushers, after connecting them again. Although they are less detailed and spacious sounding than the Model 1's, they are much warmer, more musical and pleasing especially with electronic music. With acoustic, notably jazz and chamber music, the...

People seem to like their Totems. I like how they clearly focus on their idea of good sound and less on brading or what's trendy. Very well buit too. Anyone directly compared the Dreamcatcher and Rainmakers? Similar tone?

Totems. They are Canadian! :banana: Eh?

I've got the Dreamcatchers and a (secondhand) pair of Model 1 Signatures for home auditioning. The Model 1's seem to be early 2000 models with bi-wiring option. I would get them for 800 eur in very good shape. The Model 1's are a bit more revealing, sound more open and spacious, but they are...