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10.5" RTR suggestions?....

analog addict

analog addict

Glory or Death!
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Hi!
Well, I feel like I'm not such a noobie now after playing with a couple of 7" Akai RTR's lately, but I am getting the itch for a 10.5" deck. Not to say there's anything wrong with 7 inches, but who would live with 7" if he could have 10.5" Haven't I heard somewhere that size matters? Well, my response has always been that it's not the number of inches, it's the number of inches per second that counts (!!!:D ) Anyway, I digress... What 10.5" decks would people recommend? I'm interested in reliability, availability of parts and service, and fidelity and sound stage in no particular order. This topic was briefly touched upon in the RTR noobie sticky, but I din't feel that it was thoroughly addressed....thanks,

Cheers!
A.A.
 
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Hi

ReVoX of course :)

the best u can't get, ist mine :nono:

If A-77, look for MK IV and 2 Track.

Helge
 
Dynacophil said:
Hi

the best u can't get, ist mine :nono:

Helge
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Du bist sehr schwer, mein Freund! :D

Seroiusly, I appreciate the advice. However, it seems the choices are only getting more difficult. I've never heard of Otari, Stephens, or MCI before, but their names pop up on Audio Asylum. Are these decks out of the question for one reason or another, or are there other reasons those names aren't bandied around much here?:scratch2:

Thanks,
A.A.
 
analog addict said:
Du bist sehr schwer, mein Freund! :D

I've never heard of Otari, Stephens, or MCI before, but their names pop up on Audio Asylum. Are these decks out of the question for one reason or another, or are there other reasons those names aren't bandied around much here?:scratch2:

Thanks,
A.A.
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I guess that those are from the Professional Recording Range, 24-Track Tapes or alike. Nothing for me to use :)

Helge
 
Pioneer RT909 = mucho bang for the buck. 4 track, plays both size reels, both speeds, plays both directions, pitch control, auto reverses, flouroscan lights, servo transport buttons. Strong little monsters.
 
meggy said:
Pioneer RT909 = mucho bang for the buck. 4 track, plays both size reels, both speeds, plays both directions, pitch control, auto reverses, flouroscan lights, servo transport buttons. Strong little monsters.
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I have a Teac X-700R and love this unit. Solid build, great sound, easy clean, and so on. But I really like the RT909's look. Would really like to hear one before I make the plunge. If it does sound as good as it looks I will have one.:yes:
 
hi all fellow analoggers.....;
Personally i like the Teac 3300 series..robust...tough, good specs....2 or 4 track models....and the 3300SR with auto reverse.....
The later teac x10 , 1000 and 2000 are lots more spendy ...with auto reverse....
I have an Akai GX-630db... a splendid 10 inch reel three motor brute with three glass ferrite heads..9with dolby) ..built well....the GX-630d is without the dolby.....
The GX-620 and 625 came later with newer electronics and tape functionality...lots more spendy than the 630.
I also have an Akai GX-635d and a GX-636d. Both take 10 inch reels, have six ferrite glass heads, both way recording....and great specs......incredible machines...which i use constantly and they continue to perform.. i guess its like buying a vehicle...what you buy depends on what you want to do with it....if auto reverse isnt necessary..go with a Teac A-3300 series....or the Akai GX-630d, or a GX620 or GX625. There are Sonys and Pioneers in this class..but they tend to be much more spendy...and i understand much harder to get parts for...
me, i love also my Teac A-6300, 10 inch reel, 4 heads, three motors, the BIG brother to the legendary Teac A-4300 series....the 6100 is akin to the Teac A-6300 but 2 track and no auto reverse....
hope this is helpful..this is a GREEAT site...
blooeyz
 
Agreed, the TEAC 3300 Series was a good unit, and various versions of this model had features such as auto-reverse, and there was also a 2-Track model made.

Yes, the Revox machines were beauties, and I have no doubts that trying to find a mint example currently will set you back some serious change.

Other Units to look towards, would be Tascam, and also another very fine manufacturer who made very high quality equipment, and one I rarely ever hear anyone mention, is Fostex.

As all will agree, there are sonic advantages to 2-track playback, and also the disadvantage of only being able to record-play one side of the tape.
Mark
 
Well, my signature pretty much says it all. I think the Teac brand with Tascam still has a better parts advantage. The Technics models are just freaking awesome!!!! My Akai 625 had the transistors replaced and it is very quiet, and performs nicely. The Teac X-1000 is just as beautiful to look at as it is to listen to. I couldn't make up my mind which one to keep, so I kept them all.
 
There is no question that Teac's have a parts advantage over all others these days. I personally think that sonically, they are just average though.

My personal Favs 10" machines are the Sony TC-765, 766-2, and the legiondary TC-880-2. But these models are likely to require some work to get them back up to spec.

Tanbergs TD-20A is superb, as is the Revox A77 & B77. The Revoxe are a warmer sounding deck (and very well built), while the Tandberg is more analitical sounding (but is not very stoutly built), and the Sonys sits somewhere inbetween sonically (but is just as stout as the Revox), but has Ferrite heads that rival the Akai's GX heads for lifespan.

Teac's sound good, but are a little dry IMHO.
 
OK, so where do we think Otari fits in comparison to Revox and Tandberg? I like Otari's 2 & 4 track decks (various play/record configurations). I love Teacs, but sounds like people here are down on them.
 
stincubus said:
OK, so where do we think Otari fits in comparison to Revox and Tandberg? I like Otari's 2 & 4 track decks (various play/record configurations). I love Teacs, but sounds like people here are down on them.
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I don't have an answer...yet. However I might acquire a 5050 fairly soon, and if so, I will report back.
 
I wouldn't hold anything against Otaris...ask anyone who's ever worked with them in professional audio. That's where most of the used ones come from. Be prepared to spend a little, though - they weren't cheap new and they usually won't be cheap used either.
 
Otari

Yeah, the problem with Otari is that the professional users, radio stations and such, use the hell out of them before they get retired. If you can find a used little machine, buy it, they are well built machines.
 
I mixdown my 4-track 5050 to a 2 track Teac A-3300SX, and couldn't be happier with either one. They sound... delicious? : )
 
WooooHooooo!

Finally scored a NICE 10.5" deck tonight. A TEAC A-3300 SX in pristine shape. Complete with remote control and 2 quick lock hubs. I also scored 5 empty metal reels including a TEAC reel, 10 10.5" tapes, all on metal reels, and 11 7" unopened Ampex tapes. I'll start a new thread with pics and additional details....:banana:
 
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