Tape Trail

RE: Small amount of hiss doesn't bother me

68.104.110.35

LtMandella

A

In Reply to: RE: Small amount of hiss doesn't bother me posted by mcgjohn@yahoo.com on January 14, 2020 at 09:35:22

[[ taking the signals off the tape heads]]

Interesting idea, especially if the deck's preamps start to give me trouble (pioneer tape deck preamps have a common problem with corroded transistors).

I have good soldering skills. Would not be difficult I think to tap into the direct head output but noise could be a problem routing to external tape head amp.

My playback system is already all tube - Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid preamp and Transcendent T8-LN OTL amp.

There must be something wrong with me for not having something wrong.

Follow Ups:

Noise is not an issue if done right - Victor Khomenko 13:58:55 01/14/20 (5)
I have two such installations, both using modified our tube phono stages. One uses single ended connection to the head, the other one balanced. Both are much quieter than the tape. Both are set to work at 15ips, either NAB or IEC. Here is one of them. In both cases I simply run the cables over the top cover panel.

Edits: 01/14/20 01/14/20 01/14/20 01/14/20
- Nice looking Otari MX50... - kootenay 00:02:17 01/15/20 (4)
  Mine was the Otari MX5050 MKIV similar to the photo above that I destroyed the electronics on it when one day I decided to use too much deoxit to clean it up. I thought I was being careful when I was cleaning it, however, I didn't know that some of the liquid leaked inside the electronics module. Needless to say, when I turned it on again I smelled something funny and then nothing... What a waste as I always loved that machine. Oh well live and learned I suppose.
  
  BTW, the 3-prong wall socket on the wall behind the Otari is that an M.E.S DOUBLE SOCKET OUTLET 2 x 3-pin outlet 250V AC 16A I thought they only use that kind of wall socket in Europe.
  
  If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well
  (Proverb)
  - Sharp eye... - Victor Khomenko 05:15:29 01/15/20 (3)
    Yes, those are 240V outlets, they are actually in use in the US.
    
    I still have the MX5050 BIII among my machines, had it for many years, and love it.
    
    I like that individual reel size feature on MX50 and your deck.
    - Just wondering... - kootenay 09:52:28 01/15/20 (2)
      Is the unit under your Otari an external tape head preamp that you had designed? The reason I asked this question is I've never used one. My preamp which is a Krell Evolution 202 has the tape input and tape loop that serves me well and soundwise it is better than the Audio Research Ref1 that I used to own prior to it.
      
      If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well
      (Proverb)
      - RE: Just wondering... - Victor Khomenko 11:13:52 01/15/20 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Just wondering... posted by kootenay on January 15, 2020 at 09:52:28
        
        Yes, it is based on our VK-P12SE phono stage, modified for tape EQ's. The dials above the front panel allow me to adjust it very easily, using test tapes. The switch selects NAB or IEC.
        As far as the Tape input on your preamp, I would check what it is exactly. Sometimes it is just another line level input, just marked that way for convenience. But if it is indeed a sensitive input with tape type EQ - that would make your job much easier.
        
        Edits: 01/15/20
        
        I think the tape input is discrete and buffered... - kootenay 11:33:57 01/15/20 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Just wondering... posted by Victor Khomenko on January 15, 2020 at 11:13:52
        
        as I have to toggle it off first before I could change the input again or I could be wrong. In any case, it sounded excellent with any RTR that I've tried in the past which include Otari, Revoxes, Dokorder to Teac.
        
        Anyway, that unit you have looks very expensive...I wish I could listen to it to hear the difference compared to the one I have.
        
        If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well
        (Proverb)

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