Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Audio Discussion => DIY => Topic started by: OldiesButGoodies on August 17, 2013, 11:14:54 PM
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Since Carver C-19 is on vacation, I replaced the fuse folder on this oldish amp and hooked with the HT receiver feeding the NHT 1.5s. WOW. It sounds really good. One could do w/o tubes with SS amps this good (McCormack is another example).
Tomorrow I am recapping the x-overs on the 1.5s to see if that improved the sound further (Dayton Audio Grade film caps - not aiming to spend a fortune I will never get back on these. Amp has nce pace/dynamics, and feels very transparent and accurate to me.
Pepe
PS - apologize for the mess in the man cave...
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l538/namikis/IMG_2661_zps2314e7b2.jpg) (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/namikis/media/IMG_2661_zps2314e7b2.jpg.html)
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l538/namikis/IMG_2666_zps05f21d9c.jpg) (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/namikis/media/IMG_2666_zps05f21d9c.jpg.html)
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l538/namikis/IMG_2667_zps5f5dfc1c.jpg) (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/namikis/media/IMG_2667_zps5f5dfc1c.jpg.html)
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l538/namikis/IMG_2676_zps4d0bb8c3.jpg) (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/namikis/media/IMG_2676_zps4d0bb8c3.jpg.html)
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l538/namikis/IMG_2680_zps0dedd304.jpg) (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/namikis/media/IMG_2680_zps0dedd304.jpg.html)
That is the new addition Otari MX-5050 reel deck I recently acquired.
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How do you like the Otari? I loved working with the one we had back at conservatory.
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That thing looks like a monster!
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What a mess... Unacceptable, Pepe. Just playing. It looks like a fun system! :P
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What!!! I only see ONE Nakamichi cassette deck in the picture! That is totally unacceptable!!! :P
Looks good Pepe!
George
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The Otari is nice, BUT it would sure be nice to get your take on how to use it properly Mark, it has more settings than a space shuttle and the manual is not very helpful IMO. Maybe when you come to get the pad you can give me a primer. The sound is different from the Pioneer reels, good and accurate but I am missing a certain warmth - must have to do with settings or a need to soup up the amplifier (you can remove the amp on these and there are even more settings to mess with there). I have it running at 7 and 15 ips (so, 15 ips if I am recording).
The venerable Nakamichi BX-125 in the picture is almost gone as the auction ends today. In its place I put a Nakamichi MR-2 that sounds grate (new idler, new belt, one bad cap replaced, and it is kicking ass - well, at least on playback, no recording yet). I should add one more cassette deck there, will put the silver 480Z into service, now that I have the nifty switch.
The Denon HT receiver works pretty darn good as a preamp. I am trying to mentally ignore that so the temptation to get rid of the C-19 does not creep in. Once I do my homework (need to write 8 hob descriptions before end of day so that I can listen to music in peace) I will clean up the cave and take a picture again.
I have a Nak LX-3 deck getting fixed (I am afraid of older Nak mechanisms - it is like working on a swiss watch, so outsourcing that) that I think will sounds bad ass good when it comes back. That may become my long term deck if not the MR-1.
Cheers,
OBG
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Also - I have an extra multiple deck switch from the Ratshack. If anyone wants it, PM me. The price is 50 cents and no I do not accept pennies or mexican money. It probably could use upgrading the resistors and cleaning the switches.
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The Otari is nice, BUT it would sure be nice to get your take on how to use it properly Mark, it has more settings than a space shuttle and the manual is not very helpful IMO. Maybe when you come to get the pad you can give me a primer. The sound is different from the Pioneer reels, good and accurate but I am missing a certain warmth - must have to do with settings or a need to soup up the amplifier (you can remove the amp on these and there are even more settings to mess with there).
It's been 30 years since I operated one, but I'll do what I can. My first thought is that perhaps you are losing something with however you are adapting the balanced connections to unbalanced (assuming you are and that your front end doesn't have balanced I/O). That may be a place to start experimenting initially.
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I assume you have the bias and eq settings properly dialed in. That will make a big difference in the warmth, especially when recording. Your blank tape should have those values listed, hust match them.
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Pepe, my place looks like Vintage HiFi North and yours is starting to look like Vintage HiFi South. Tom should start selling franchise rights!!!
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The basement here currently looks like a total hi-fi clusterf__k. I think the recent influx of tube gear and speakers is the culprit here.
Put it this way, I'm not even willing to post photos. :)
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One other favor to ask, Pepe. Please, PLEASE don't ever front Air Supply Greatest Hits when taking a gear shot. That is so much more offensive than any clutter. Put that copy of "Boston - Don't Look Back" in the photo instead.
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Boston? Air Supply?
How about Humble Pie's Smokin'.
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So - answering many points in one response:
- Mark - Yes - the XLR to unbalanced wired conversion adapters probably kill some of the buzz. Is there a better way to do that other than buying an XLR pre? [define "experiment"]. As for the tape type and bias - you are making the huge assumption that I have any idea what tape I am using. Rev knows what tape he buys. I buy whatever I find on sale. I want to use the Otari's oscillator to help me calibrate it to the tape, have not figured out what the procedure is.
- Mark - Yes - I noticed the Air Supply LP in the picture two nanoseconds after I posted it. I knew I was in for a world of hurt, but, it was the first concert my wife and I went to together, so what can I say. Am all out of love...
- If and when I finish my homework I will clean the basement so it doesn't look like Sunny's and post a new picture.
- VHF South ah? The CEO of the brand is a bit of a pain, not sure I want to deal with him. Would force me to open the store at 4pm and close at 2AM.
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Am all out of love...
Your wife is a lucky woman to have landed you.
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I once bought my wife the Barry Manilow box set for Christmas. She is lucky to have landed me too. >:D
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I have no shame in admitting my love for Barry. >:D
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Let the Music Play...
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...down in Fraggle Rock!
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As for the tape type and bias - you are making the huge assumption that I have any idea what tape I am using. Rev knows what tape he buys. I buy whatever I find on sale. I want to use the Otari's oscillator to help me calibrate it to the tape, have not figured out what the procedure is.
But... you're Captain Tape Deek.
I don't know that I ever used the oscillator. Our department bought tape in bulk (Scotch 207, IIRC), so the machine was probably tuned once to that tape then those functions were never used again.
Is your manual paper or pdf? If it is digital, email it to me so I can refresh my memory.
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The differences I hear in different tape types and brands is more than a simple bias adjustment would make up for.
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I'm not suggesting that bias adjustments make every tape sound the same, just that they make whatever tape you are using sound it's best.
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In reviewing old reviews of some of the decks I have owned, the biggest difference in bias settings vs tape brands seems to be the signal to noise ratio (up to 2db or so).