Re: [ARSCLIST] Setting bias and EQ on Technics 1520

[carlstephen koto <cskoto@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Sammy, I have an rs1500 .I realize that the 1520's board setup is  
quite different so I'm not help regarding the bias measurement points  
location etc.. but your service manual should have detailed  
instructions and pictures. It sound like you only have one of the two  
volumes that these manuals come in. If you only have the one with  
schematics and a parts list, you're missing the one entitled  
"Adjustments and Measurements".  You'll also need some test equipment  
to preform these adjustments properly. My advice would be to take  
your 1520 to a tech with experience with reel to reel machines and  
have him perform the bias and do a service on it. I have a good deal  
of experience with the 15xx machines and "all" of them need some  
adjustments particularly in the area of tape handling. These are 30  
year old machines and even if they appear to be working great, it  
could very well be damaging these tapes that you wish to archive.  
Sorry, I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear but if the tapes are  
important to you or others, don't put them on anything but a well  
adjusted machine.
Steve Koto
On Jan 31, 2008, at 8:51 PM, Sammy Jones wrote:

> I sent this message to the list earlier in the week, but I don't  
> think it
> ever got through...
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Sammy Jones [mailto:sjones69@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> > Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 3:08 AM
> > To: 'ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx'
> > Subject: Setting bias and EQ on Technics 1520
> >
> > Hello listmembers,
> >
> > I mentioned several months ago that I have a Technics RS 1520 reel to
> > reel tape recorder in excellent condition.  I have recently bought  
> > some
> > new-old stock Ampex 631 reels to make test recordings.
> >
> > The main function of this deck is to playback pre-recorded reels and
> > transfer to CD, but I'd like to make some recordings on it just for
> > fun.
> >
> > My problem is in setting the EQ and bias properly to record on this
> > tape.  This is my first time recording tape on a machine with  
> > settable
> > bias and EQ, and the Technics service manual does not specify how  
> > to do
> > this.  I've found some information on the web for bias setup, but not
> > EQ.
> >
> > Could any listmembers who know how to set EQ and bias on Technics  
> > 1520s
> > please respond with directions?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Sammy Jones