At 01:28 PM 2007-12-30, D P Ingram wrote:Thanks again to all for the various tips.
What would the typical "pro" machines be on trolleys that meet my
requirements, as often from a quick look around there seems to be not
a great price difference between some models of Studer and between
Otari and the other models ? I cannot imagine I need to convert 1" or
2" tapes but I have seen that you can change the heads on some (who
knows what tapes will come my way) and if it was a case of paying a
little extra "just in case" then that might be worthwhile. But having
the tape speed and track flexibility is probably key !
Some of the Studers I have looked at are in the high hundreds (of euros) and eek, some are in the high thousands :)
First of all, I would suggest that a transport that can do 1/4 and 1/2 inch tape is considered by some to be pushing it unless there are adjustments with tape width. Some people use the same transport for one- and two-inch tape. I use a one-inch transport (Sony APR-16 -- only one ever made) for 1/2-inch tape as well. I don't do 2-inch.
There is a significant difference between the broadcast Studers and the Master Recorder Studers.
In the two-track, 1/4-inch machines, the following are most of the model numbers at the high end:
A820/2CH - This is the last fantastic mastering machine
A80RC - An excellent master recorder from the 1970s
The RC has (allegedly) better sounding electronics than the VU
A816 - B-wind (oxide out) high-end master recorder
A812 - Probably the finest compact machine
A810 - An excellent, widely available broadcast/compact machine
A807 - Lower cost successor to A810, not as useful IMHO
I hope this is of some use.
Richard L. Hess email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Aurora, Ontario, Canada (905) 713 6733 1-877-TAPE-FIX
Detailed contact information: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/ contact.htm
Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.