Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihu1g.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!ihu1g!fish From: fish@ihu1g.UUCP (Bob Fishell) Newsgroups: net.audio Subject: Re: open-reel decks Message-ID: <250@ihu1g.UUCP> Date: Wed, 14-Mar-84 15:48:57 EST Article-I.D.: ihu1g.250 Posted: Wed Mar 14 15:48:57 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 15-Mar-84 01:28:51 EST References: <651@houxf.UUCP> <2483@brl-vgr.ARPA> Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 28 I cannot agree that the only application for open reel is either live recording or playback of open reel prerecorded tapes. Cassette decks, even the high end ones, cannot approach the frequency response and dynamic range available with open reel, particularly if dbx NR is used with the open reel recording. The reason is quite simple: cassettes operate at 1 7/8 ips with a tape width of only 1/8 inch. By contrast, open reel decks typically operate at 3 3/4 or 7 1/2 ips, with a tape width of 1/4 inch. Some high-end decks even operate at 15 and 30 ips. In no way can cassette technology close the performance gap imposed by these differences. Open reel tape is not that expensive, either. I can get Maxell UD35-90 open reels for about the same price (about $4.50) as TDK MA-90 metal cassettes, and at 3 3/4 ips, I can get twice as much music on a reel, with better quality. What I can't do is play back a 7 inch reel in my car, which is the only reason I own a cassette deck at all. I don't own high-end decks in either category, but neither deck is junk. The reel-to-reel blows the cassette deck away, irrespective of tape formulation, bias settings, etc, and for my money, it's still the best way to go. The cassettes sound good, but the reels sound better. I don't see that changing much given the current state of the art. -- Bob Fishell ihnp4!ihu1g!fish