Reel-to-reel looks sexy and sounds fab: who has one and how do you actually use it?

[TheFlash]

I have come across a rather nice looking reel-to-reel deck locally. I haven't bought it yet...

I've always loved the look of them: but never had a clue where I might put one (stil don't: it would have to be Kendal) or how I might listen to it, never mind the mind-boggling idea of actually using it to record stuff.

I've always loved the sound of them too: the @lodgesound room at Scalford was always an absolute treat and it was great to see and hear same at the Leamington show a few months ago.



The deck is a Sony TC-377 so I was delighted to find this post from @robbie010 in my Wam meanderings. How are you getting on with it, Robbie?



Who else has a reel-to-reel in their system (rather than in a loft/spare room)? Do you actually use it? What for, how, and how often? Photos would make you popular...

For reference, I have a cassette deck in my Kendal system and occasionally pick up pre-recorded cassettes which I enjoy playing. In theory, and I have the blank tapes sitting there, I could record stuff but in practical terms I can't be arsed and there is no/limited SQ advantage in doing so.

Is reel-to-reel so different? Well yes, potentially. The aesthetics/experience are in a different league and I've been blown away by the sound (albeit not from a relatively modest Sony).

Guide me. Inspire me. Tell me to get a grip. Whatever.

 

[dave]

I have come across a rather nice looking reel-to-reel deck locally. I haven't bought it yet...

good. its not lovely. it needs to have at least 3 motors, 10" reels with nab hubs and logic control to be in the lower echelons of sexy. 

 

[Minicoupeman]

I owned one of these. Lovely machine. A bit of me wishes I had never sold it until I remembered the space the 20 or so tapes I had took up.  The difficulty in finding the music I wanted to hear.  The time taken to spool a reel through.  The cleaning of the heads and space the whole scheebang needed.  Then I look at my Melco and thank god for progress.

 

[robbie010]

I have come across a rather nice looking reel-to-reel deck locally. I haven't bought it yet...

I've always loved the look of them: but never had a clue where I might put one (stil don't: it would have to be Kendal) or how I might listen to it, never mind the mind-boggling idea of actually using it to record stuff.

I've always loved the sound of them too: the @lodgesound room at Scalford was always an absolute treat and it was great to see and hear same at the Leamington show a few months ago.



The deck is a Sony TC-377 so I was delighted to find this post from @robbie010 in my Wam meanderings. How are you getting on with it, Robbie?



Who else has a reel-to-reel in their system (rather than in a loft/spare room)? Do you actually use it? What for, how, and how often? Photos would make you popular...

For reference, I have a cassette deck in my Kendal system and occasionally pick up pre-recorded cassettes which I enjoy playing. In theory, and I have the blank tapes sitting there, I could record stuff but in practical terms I can't be arsed and there is no/limited SQ advantage in doing so.

Is reel-to-reel so different? Well yes, potentially. The aesthetics/experience are in a different league and I've been blown away by the sound (albeit not from a relatively modest Sony).

Guide me. Inspire me. Tell me to get a grip. Whatever.

Run for the hills and never look back. 

My experience tells me that a high quality (expensive) deck that has been regularly services and fastidiously maintained will be a much better investment both on a financial basis and in terms of the pleasure of use. 

I feel that tape decks are a real niche area of audiophilia (is that a word?) that is best left to those with the patience to deal with the intricacies of their use and maintenance, never-mind the inherent issues with finding good quality source material. 

 

[rabski]

I have it's close neighbour, the Sony TC366. Years ago I was quite heavily into R2R and various Akai and Revox machines resided here for a while.

To listen to, the Sony is crap frankly. Vinyl and digital wees all over it. Also, if you think vinyl involves a lot of farting around, I'd stay well clear of reel-to-reel. Mind you, like vinyl, there's something quite magical about watching it. Primarily, I only keep the Sony simply because it's nice to look at.

 

[Radioham]

Reel to reel tape is very expensive as a consumable £25 to £35 per reel. You need to consider 7.5 ips as the minimum speed for a reasonable frequency response. Source  material is an issue. If you were buying pre-recorded at £400-£500 then you would be looking at a much higher spec machine than the Sony 377 or Akai 4000DS (Very popular in the 70,s)

Other source material could be Vinyl or FM Radio or Streaming.

I have had both machines, but like a lot of people moved over to Cassette and then CD due to tape costs and storage. 

I agree that they can produce a nice sound but if you look at the specs you will see that they measure quite poor (Signal/Noise, Freq Response and Wow and flutter. Plus maintenance issues like head wear, rubber belts,  and pressure rollers.

Alan

 

[tIANcI]

And one of my dealers is telling me to go R2R ... did not realise about the cost 😳

 

[EddieRUKidding]

And one of my dealers is telling me to go R2R ... did not realise about the cost 😳

And what prey tell are they dealing in

 

[tIANcI]

And what prey tell are they dealing in

Naaaaah not that sort of guy. Deals in speakers and valve amps but a lot of yummeh cabling and Furutech connectors (for DIY). Much cheaper to make own stuff than to buy. 😬

R2R is just what he and a few clients enjoy.

 

[dave]

I had an ex- BBC Studer A62 once. it was lovely, and once I had taped a record  or CD on to my tape and played it back, it didn't sound "better". And even 25 years ago the costs of tape, whats the point when I could buy the vinyl / CD for less...... was not going to set up a studio any time.

I feel happy that people are keeping this technology going, they are cool and can sound absolutely lovely, and I still hanker for one a little. My Revox B710 still doesn't compare to a B77 aesthetically, sigh. If you want to dabble with tape, an alternative is double speed cassette. It is very nice, but even more niche.

 

[bigrod]

Back in the late 70s while on tech service for a coatings manufacturer,  I was invited by the north east rep to go to Ferrograph in south shields as they were selling off stock..I brought a ferrograph series 7 ....A "724" If my memory serves me correctly.. had it for many years recording radio concerts...loved its warm renditions... but by the late 80s i was running 5 music formats..

R2R, vinyl, cassette, radio and the new CD.. so something had to give , sadly I let the ferrograph go for peanuts .. I still love their retro look..I'm thinking of having a vintage set up in the new house and may look at installing a R2R in the man cave just for vintage nostalgia. I know where there is A Teac X300 sat doing nowt..

Kindest regards Julian 

 

[Jules_S]

I completely understand the draw of R2R - seeing a machine in action and producing sweet music is arguably the "sexiest" that hi-fi kit ever gets. Someone posted a picture of a Technics open reel machine a while ago on another thread, I think it was this RS-1500 or a variation of (RS-1800 perhaps):



Pretty horny I reckon. I also rather fancy this little beauty (not that I know any stats about it - can't find much info online):



Even if the ultimate sound quality ended up being a bit disappointing, I'd have either of those in a trice, purely for the aesthetic and joy of ownership. I rather suspect the price tags are off the scale though... Nigel, do let us know if you take the plunge and share piccies 

 

[TheFlash]

Nurse, tissues, quick! Too late...

Those decks just look fabulous don't they!

I think I may bide my time...

... but then again I may not. You'll be the first to know.

 

[DomT]

There are some people who say that a customised cassette deck is not that far off r2r. I have heard an original Elvis recording on that Sony and it sounded amazing. The advice that I got a few years ago was only to get r2r if I was into the music that was originally recorded on that format and could afford to buy it. 

 

[MF 1000]

Love the look of the Technics ....one on eBay for a mere £1600  :S

 

[Fourlegs]

There are some people who say that a customised cassette deck is not that far off r2r. I have heard an original Elvis recording on that Sony and it sounded amazing. The advice that I got a few years ago was only to get r2r if I was into the music that was originally recorded on that format and could afford to buy it. 

I was very keen on my Sony Walkman Pro WM-D6C Cassette Player but I admit I never compared it to a R2R. 

 

[Vox]

I have two. This is the latest one. From Norway. 

 

[Vox]

1/4"

2 channels

15 ips

 

[MF 1000]

My uncle had the Sony R2R that flash has posted up ......he always lusted after a Tandberg tho