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Opinions on Sony Reel to Reel Tape

J

jmiles1960

Super Member
I have a chance to buy a sealed case of 7" Sony reel to reel blank tapes. I could not read the model number. Half-black / Half- redish orange tape box.

Does anyone have any opinions on the quality, use and issues with this brand of tape? Thanks - Jim

UPDATE: Model is PR-150 tape
 
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It's OK, but nothing special IMHO. I used some of it years ago, and I certainly wouldn't put it in a class with Maxell UD, or TDK SD, or even BASF. But, if it's in good shape, and inexpensive enough, it's certainly decent enough.
 
I have a fair number and some of them are sticky. Can you buy or try one first to ensure that it works OK? Otherwise, I agree with 1Tumbleweed's comments.
 
I have a big stack of them here (about 40 or more) and quite a few of them have "dry tape syndrome". They don't really shed all over the machine, but they are useless because the lubricant in the tape has dried out and they squeal through the transport. The ones that do work are less than stellar, kind of dull even at higher speeds.
 
The seller is getting rid of unopened case of 10. Sounds like I am taking my chances. Not sure they're worth $4 a reel at this point from what I'm hearing. Thanks for the advice.
 
Sony tape nowadays is all JUNK...stay away and stick with Non Backcoated Ampex, Maxell TDK some 3M and my personal favorite..BASF tape! If you can find SM468 SM900 SM911 LPR35, it is your best bet. I have NEVER had a bad BASF tape EVER!:music::smoke::thmbsp:
 
I have a 10.5" reel and am pleased with it other than it sheds the backcoating leaving black debris on the deck. My first choice in tapes would be Maxell.
 
I have used the PR-150 SONY tape and found them inconsistant. Some work very well and others squeal and shed the sticky oxide over the tape path.

Have a pen handy to note the results with the tape and if you see it is a bad one - the place the pen through the center hole and pull off the tape and keep the SONY Type-7 reel for a nice empty!

I have had much better luck with the SLH-180 tapes in the yellow & black boxes. One of the best tapes I've found for recording at 3 3/4 ips and getting very good high frequencies recorded.

Also always good results with Maxell UD and BASF tapes!
 
progdrums said:
Sony tape nowadays is all JUNK...stay away and stick with Non Backcoated Ampex, Maxell TDK some 3M and my personal favorite..BASF tape! If you can find SM468 SM900 SM911 LPR35, it is your best bet. I have NEVER had a bad BASF tape EVER!:music::smoke::thmbsp:
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There's always the danger that these threads become "vote for your favorite tape" threads.

I am not aware of any correlation of backcoating to sticky shed syndrome. Further, many Ampex tapes are sticky; maybe only backcoated Ampex tapes, but I'm not sure.

As far as I know, neither BASF nor 3M (Scotch) used any of the binder formulations that ended up being sticky, in their reel to reel tapes.

In any event, reports of the Sony tape being stick are enough to avoid the lot. Note that one can have new empty 7" plastic reels in new white cardboard boxes for $4.00. On top of that, Sony tape does not have a very good reputation for performance, regardless of sticky shed issues.

Buying used tape, new old stock, or new, I thin the most important factor beyond price and stickiness is that you get tape that has the performance characteristics for which you deck is adjusted. By that I mean bias adjustment, and recording level adjustment.
 
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