Re: [ARSCLIST] Reel-to-reel tape recorder for auditioning archival tapes.

[Jeffrey Kane <jeffkane@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The machine that comes to mind is a Technics. Examples are available in your
budget. It'll do everything you need. Any of the RS-1500 (1500,1506,1520
etc) series should fill the bill as they have switchable two-four track
playback (separate heads) and are 3.75/7.5/15 IPS. The tape transport isn't
the last word in handling but does a passable job. The machines are durable
and stand up to abuse quite well. I bought my units off Ebay; that's a
crapshoot. If you can get them elsewhere it's worth the premium to ensure
condition.  One unit I got was described as excellent condition, yet came in
with surface rust(!) on the heads and light rust elsewhere on the case. Not
what I'd call mint.

Jeff

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
> [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of RA Friedman
> Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2005 8:07 AM
> To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [ARSCLIST] Reel-to-reel tape recorder for
> auditioning archival tapes.
>
> A few hundred dollars has become available to purchase a
> ree-to-reel tape deck so that we can audition what I believe
> are mostly 1/2 track and possibly 1/4 track stereo reels playing at
> 3 3/4 or 7 1/2 ips. It's conceivable there are some 15 ips,
> but most likely not. I'm assuming we will need two decks, one
> for each head configuration.
>
> Any recommendations as far as units, dealers, re-builds, etc?
>  We are not planning on using the deck for transfers, but
> we'd like something that will have a long useful life and
> won't be a huge maintenance headache.
>
> With any luck, transfers will be done by an outside
> specialist. We need a unit that can give us some indication
> of what's on the tapes and will have minimal impact. Luckily
> the tapes have been stored under cool, dry conditions and
> none appears to have sticky-shed or surface/support breakdown
> even though some are acetate rather than polyester.
>
> RA Friedman
> Assistant Project Archivist
> Historical Society of Pennsylvania
>
>
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