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I want a better Open Reel deck.

vidguy

vidguy

Active Member
Well, I've got an RT-701, an RT-901, and an RT-909, and an Akai GX215D

So where do I go from here?

I'd like to take a sonic leap forward. Another 4-track, or maybe 2 track?!?

What does $2000-$2500 upgrade me to?

Caveat - not interested with Akai, 747/635 are too pricey for what they offer, and seem more of a sidegrade to my Pioneer's. Had a GX-77, and it was not much better than the GX-215, had capstan motors like a cassette deck.

Revox B77?
Otari 5050?

I've got some of the best cassette decks made, I also enjoy my R2R's, and would like to get a deck that's purely a sonic performer.

I'm still a novice when it comes to Open Reel.
 
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vidguy said:
Well, I've got an RT-701, an RT-901, and an RT-909, and an Akai GX215D

So where do I go from here?

I'd like to take a sonic leap forward. Another 4-track, or maybe 2 track?!?
Click to expand...

Sony 76x series
Revox B77mkII 2track/highSpeed
Revox PR99mkIII (modifed version)
Technics RS1500
and possibly the Otari

above mentioned decks are supposedly very good performeers sonically

But it is done with a cost - not the decks itself - but the running costs

running tapes at 2track HighSpeed is using tape as a 6.6litre V8HP engine is using gasoline ....

.....What does $2000-$2500 upgrade me to?
Click to expand...

Hard to say - it depends on what is available !
 
2-track at 15 ips is the "next level". Plenty of nice machines out there. Just be aware of the increased appetite for tape!!
 
You want a leap forward?

Try an Otari MX-5050BII or BIII.

But why not find a Studer A810 and be done with it. Yes they CAN be had for your budget, just not from the 2 typical sellers on eprey.
 
Assuming you are keeping the 4-track decks you have, I would go 2-track for your next and if you are keen on Pioneer gear the RT-2022 will not disappoint.
If you want a compact 'prosumer' deck not mentioned yet the Tandberg TD20a/SE is sonically one of the best and far better than the 'fragile' reputation it seems to have on these forums (fora?)
 
Your next step up is going to be Nagra, Studer/ReVox, Otari, or Stellavox. Name your poison.

Whether you want a half-track, high-speed deck is up to you - superb fidelity, but somewhat limited compatibility (unless you're really devoted to making your own tapes).

FWIW, I do have one such machine; an A77 created from three organ donors by Charles King for me. It's nice... but I have to keep a quarter-track deck (or two) around for compatibility's sake (and I need to rebuild my RT-909... a retirement project, you know?).

DSCN5766.jpg


Oh, and please don't get on my case about intermixing the plastic and metal NAB hub reels; I know, I know... It was just a photo-op ;-)
 
Would not recommend the Tandberg TD20A due to one major issue. The IC which controls the transport logic is very unobtainium. And must be functioning for the deck to function. Heads are no longer available as well for it. And technicians who know it in the USA are few. That logic IC is a common failure mode on the Tandberg machines which use it.
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

I don't really care about compatibility, I only make recordings, off of vinyl, CD, FLAC, even radio. I'm an amateur musician, so I also dump my recordings on tape off of my DAW.

I've got my mid-level "pretty" decks, now I want to get the best sonic quality I can (For my budget)

Even 1/2" seems viable, as long as I can get tape.
 
No need to repeat whats been posted - here are a couple not posted (if you can find them)

Akai Pro 1000
Technics R&B Series (cant recall model # there are a couple of outstanding rare decks)
Ampex studio 2 track professional

Now if it was me and had the money I would go with the Studer A810 superb craftsmanship in every way (from what I hear as I dont have one)
 
The method of least cost and resistant moving forward for this guy is probably going to be an Otari.
 
Which I second. The Otari MX 5050 B II would be the path of least resistance and cost. And be a very logical upgrade. And need less work than most ReVox machines nowadays. And be able to bias the new supertapes. The Technics is much costlier, fewer of them around, and many need work, the Akai Pro 1000 is nice, but severely rare. Few were built. ReVox A and B 77 high speeds often fetch more money than Otari machines and they often need recapping and realignment.
 
Of all the decks I have owned, worked on and seen, the Otari decks usually needed the least amount of work to bring back to spec. I'd third Otari on a budget, but recommend a Studer in the long term. The all rolling guides and phenomenally smooth transport alone are worth the consideration. :thmbsp:
 
Thanks again for the suggestions.

The Otari seems like the best fit for me.

On a side note, I often see Fostex decks, they were designed for pro musicians/studios

I've also noticed no one talks about them, are they a bad choice?
 
All so-called "pro" equipment is not created equal. Fostex had a nice nitch at the very bottom end of the prosumer market: The home studio market only. Tascam occupied a nitch just above this in the prosumer market all the up into to middle-end studio market (although some of their very best machines (40, 50, and 60 series) were capable of Studer level performance). Otari occupied both the entire broadcast and studio markets, and their machines were workhorses, which were renowned for both their reliability and their very neutral sonic characteristics.
 
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