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Why in the name of god would I be interested in proving you wrong?

Posted by EdAInWestOC (A) on June 5, 2017 at 06:28:32

In Reply to: RE: Here's an idea... posted by Inmate51 on June 4, 2017 at 08:30:30:

This is not a forum based on adversaries and if it were I would not bother returning.

Reel to reel is starting its comeback and manufacturers are just starting to make new RTR decks. New model decks are expensive but you can buy a fully refurbed Otari 5050 MkII for less than $2000.

The only source of good blank tape was ATR but that is about to change. RTR will never be as convenient as vinyl but once you mount a tape you have a very high quality source of analog music available. RTR was all but gone, like vinyl, but its managed to creep back where RTR decks are making a
showing at audiophile shows.

There was a time where audiophiles would copy their vinyl to RTR tape and the vinyl would collect dust. This was very popular in Japan and used vinyl in Japan is very high quality partly due to this habit.

The highest quality analog music was always from a RTR deck with vinyl coming in a very close second. In spite of high resolution digital, professional analog tape machines are starting to make a comeback in recording studios with analog masters being the source for high resolution backups. Digital sources can suffer from dropouts where analog backups have a very long shelf. They are very reliable and that is not lost on the recording industry.

The availability of extremely high quality pre-recorded tapes is the beginning of something that should drive down costs and drive up selection. It is not unlike vinyl around the turn of the millennium where pressing plants could be counted on your fingers. Now pressing plants are springing up around the globe and the production of new vinyl presses has begun. Vinyl is everywhere and RTR will follow suit.

RTR tape production is another matter but Chad Kassem created his production facility and his pre-recorded tapes are reported to be nothing short of fantastic. They are being used to show off very high end systems at high end shows like Munich. There were several vendors showing off their wears using RTR decks at that show. Yes they are very expensive but they are the single source for the highest quality audio available (short of the original studio masters themselves).

Interest in RTR decks continues to grow. Check out tapeheads.net or the RTR section over on audionirvana.org for a couple of places where RTR fans hang out. There is more going on than meets the eye and RTR should be more visible in the coming year.

I suggested this to Henry because I thought it may appeal to his audiophile interests. I did not think you had to have a RTR deck to suggest one. Where did this prerequisite come from?

I used to own one and would love to do it again. I plan to at the end of this year. Until then I will keep an eye on the market and make my buying decision based on budget and availability.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

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