A nice Technics 1506 is one of the most flexible, being able to play back four track and two track at 3-1/4, 7-1/2 and 15 IPS.
4 Likes
And that’s why I bought one 
1 Like
In my somewhat limited listening experience, it can sound better than any other format.
Just wish there was more stuff I liked recorded onto it.
1 Like
Ditto 
The idea of recording stuff from hires to r2r sounds interesting
That’s what got me considering it. Rightly or wrongly, I was swayed by reading opinion that listening to taped hi res material beats listening to the original files via a DAC. I suppose it makes sense that it would sound different, not necessarily better and may be preferable to some tastes. Maybe like having a top end NOS DAC?!
Guy,
The cost of studio R2R machines has more than doubled in the last 5 years. Studer A807s which were £700-800 5 years ago are now fetching £1200-2000. My Sony APR 5003 cost me £600 5 years ago and would easily be worth more than £2000 now - someone’s trying to sell one on the *bay for £8500.
I was certainly lucky in buying my machines before the price increases. But then again 30 years ago, you could have heaved them out of a skip for free as radio stations and studios were getting rid of them.
Studio masters aren’t cheap, but not totally unreasonable when compared to the asking price for first pressings of popular albums. For instance my original studio master of Wish You Were Here cost the same as the discogs price for a VG+ Harvest first pressing with postcard. There are a few people who would gladly pay that sort of money for the LP.
My tape collection is nowhere as extensive as my LP collection. I only buy the albums I really really want and have enjoyed over the years. That may exclude anything issued since about 1990, but that’s fine by me.
Charlie
2 Likes
If you want extra distortion, why not just do it with DSP?
Some may say a valve pre, valve DAC etc. I suppose it’s about listening to favourite albums in the most enjoyable possible way, and having a bit of fun along the way. Multiple ways of getting there, with varying levels of faff.
2 Likes
Where’s the faffing fun in that? 
Well there are plausible reasons why valve amplifiers can be better than solid state; this can be the output stage of a DAC or a pre or power amp. I don’t really have an issue with that. But recording something and playing it back can only add distortion. I just don’t get it.
R2R as a medium for playing well recorded tapes is fine - I’ve heard plenty that have sounded fantastic. I’ve even bought some HDTT recordings that are digital recordings of old tapes that haven’t been rereleased. That all makes sense to me, even without the bonus of faff.
1 Like
Contentious. You’d have to start by defining ‘better’. Folding in your dislike of ‘added distortion’, and considering the amplifiers in isolation, it doesn’t cost much these days to make a solid-state amp which will objectively outperform all but the very best valve ones. And by the time you’re at that level the distortion from both amps will be very, very low indeed.
VB
I have concluded that you lot know more than me. About most things, but especially hi-fi 
Faff au spaff ici
3 Likes
How are those Matt? Ought to possibly be better than the originals. What do they sell for?
About £35 in the UK
Has anyone here heard one?
Would like to but £35…
I have money jungle and it’s great though I have no idea of the original but much nicer than the copy I bought off Gareth. It was for that comparison. I want more but I’m still toeing in to the classics