The good thing about tape is the low crest factor on the noise floor...it may be hissy, but it doesn't randomly get a lot worse with pops and scratches the way a vinyl record does. When silence is called for, you get almost near silence.
Finally this guy made what I'm talking about since decades. The original ReVox/STUDER playback amplifiers are scrap. They are assymetric und the bias current of the first transistor goes thrue the head. A no go but they didn't want to listen back then.
The idea of using an external preamp is not new. In my case I did it for the first time about 25 years ago, and today there are several companies offering such products. In High-End it is pretty much a common procedure. You are correct - the internal circuits are not too great in the sound area.
Looks like you’re really into BAT gear, what was the reason to modify their existing phono stage, vs going with a dedicated tape head pre like the Doshi or Merrill Audio? Also how do you deal with fine adjustments from low frequencies, even at the same equalization (NAB or IEC)? For example, the MCI and Studers and Ampex all have significant differences at the low end for their different head geometries. Is that handled at the machine or at the preamp? Hope the question makes sense and thanks for sharing your impressive gear!
The first question is an easy one, as the chief designer for BAT I have easy access to our phono stages, which represent a wonderful platform for such projects, so I have several of them. All I have to do is modify the EQ circuit, which I have done several different ways. This is just a fun project, not a commercial product. For the second question - I am not doing anything special in low frequency area, as I am not seeing any significant variations there. What I see are some head bumps, that can't be corrected. The overall response is something that would be more than swamped by the speaker and room effects.
@@Foxbat9000 thanks for the fast, detailed response. In my experience I notice about a 2dB difference @ 50 hz between MCI and Ampex, but it may be an artifact of my setup and yes probably different head bumps. Certainly isn’t THAT audible, but since I can measure it I try to compensate for it. Luckily most folks I trade tapes with print tones so I can match my machine to theirs for playback
Hi guys, That's a best source can an audiophiles use in a system , that's incredible sound ! Congrats ! Tell me please , what's that music and band ? Thanks.
Hello, as I mentioned earlier the preamp is based on a BAT phono stage. Most of the modifications involved the EQ circuit, with a switch allowing the selection of IEC or NAB curves. It is only designed to work at one speed - 15ips, as this is where the sound quality lives.
@@nathan7265 Recording electronics is a bit more complicated, but can be done. However, my main interest is in playing the pre-recorded tapes, not making my own, so I concentrate on the playback side.
I am using the roll around 9U rack from ebay, this one modified, but I also have some used straight on. They are convenient... I just usually replace their small casters with larger wheels, more suitable for carpet.
