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3-3/4 ips prerecords

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Posted on April 15, 2015 at 17:57:51
michael22
Audiophile

Posts: 917
Joined: October 1, 2001
In general, what do folks here think of those 1970s tapes produced at 3-3/4 ips? There are some (pop) titles released only at the slow speed. Personally, I haven't been impressed with what I've heard, and wondered whether this is a function of the speed itself (which on my home recordings sounds quite good) or the high duplication speed.

 

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RE: 3-3/4 ips prerecords, posted on April 16, 2015 at 10:45:17
mobiasloop
Audiophile

Posts: 100
Location: SW Missouri
Joined: August 14, 2014
When most companies changed to 3 3/4, it was the death of the medium. Personally, I wouldn't touch one with a 12 foot mic boom, even if they were dolbyized or dbxed or whatever. Moebias
"...the fool doth think he is wise but the wise man knows himself to be nothing but a fool." Will Shakespeare

 

RE: 3-3/4 ips prerecords, posted on April 17, 2015 at 14:19:32
Dogface1956
Audiophile

Posts: 685
Location: No. California
Joined: December 18, 2005
I have heard both good and bad 3.75IPS factory tapes. I have had a couple such as Carole Kings Tapestry, Neil Young Harvest, Crosby, Stills & Nash 1st Album that sounded great even when compared to vinyl. I have had others like Santana III and James Gang Live that sounded terrible. So you roll the dice and take your chance.

From what I have heard the sound of late production factory tapes is a function of using higher speed duplicators in the interest of driving the costs down. Earlier production tapes from the 50's and 60's where done on lower speed duplicators and where higher quality because of that.

Jeff
We’re Burning Daylight

 

RE: 3-3/4 ips prerecords, posted on April 17, 2015 at 20:13:42
michael22
Audiophile

Posts: 917
Joined: October 1, 2001
I suspect the sonic quality is more a function of the duplicating speed than the final play speed. Some 1-7/8 ips cassettes sound very good, and my own 3-3/4 ips tapes recorded on the Revox A77-IV are excellent. Not quite up to 7-1/2 but very good.

I heard the early 2-track Mercury tapes were duplicated 1:1 at 7-1/2 ips; most of these sound terrific, though there are a few exceptions.

 

RE: 3-3/4 ips prerecords, posted on April 17, 2015 at 23:56:06
kavakidd
Audiophile

Posts: 20316
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: April 15, 2004
I only have one - Original cast recording of "Hair" and it sounds quite good
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain

 

early RCAs, posted on April 18, 2015 at 12:27:42
michael22
Audiophile

Posts: 917
Joined: October 1, 2001
I had several classical titles issued in 1959 by RCA in the cartridge format which I rewound on to 5" reels. The performances (Rubinstein, Reiner) were excellent but the sound fair at best.

 

RE: early RCAs, posted on April 22, 2015 at 10:23:32
Chinacat
Audiophile

Posts: 58
Location: New Jersey
Joined: May 8, 2009
What a shame the industry had to shift to this speed. So many classic tapes were only released at 3 3/4. Too bad they didn't stock both speeds and let the consumer decide. I too have had good and bad experiences with them. Quite a few of them sound very good. Others are muddy and have a high hiss level. Eh, they're still fun to watch spin around after a few beers.

 

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