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Dual-transport/capstan modification for existing single capstan
Dual-transport/capstan modification for existing single capstan
First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
little. Thanks!
First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
little. Thanks!
Re: Dual-transport/capstan modification for existing single capstan
<ilovechristina2004@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:frjaga012dc@news5.newsguy . com ...
> First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
> closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
> my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
> slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
> used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
> else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
> playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
> without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
> months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
> transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
> capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
> system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
> TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
> beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
> later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
> shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
> be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
> was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
> some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
> would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
> contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
> then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
> head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
> craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
> or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
> spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
> this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
> would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
> little. Thanks!
It's not so much a modification you're asking for, but a redesign, and
that's way outside of what you can do at home unless you have a very well
equipped mechanical workshop. The best dual-capstan decks I know of are the
Nakamichis, 482Z, BX300 and the like. They had two capstans of different
diameters, running at different rotational speeds to spread the W&F and
resonances, and also, they two capstans had *very* slightly different linear
speeds to maintain tension across the heads. The Nakamichi heads pushed the
standard cassette pressure-pads out of the way.
As I think what you're asking for is not feasible, what you need to do is to
find a way of reducing the effect of wrinkles in the tape. One way is to
increase the pressure-pad pressure, perhaps by fitting a small piece of
foam-rubber behind the pad, inside each cassette. This will have the effect
of smoothing the tape, but at the expense of increased flutter, and possibly
even speed accuracy. Speed accuracy can be checked and corrected-for,
there's usually a small adjuster at the back of the motor: flutter you can't
do much about, although you can try and lubricate the pressure pad with a
DRY lubricant, like graphite. All this is a lot of bother, and needs to be
done per-cassette, but you only need to do it once per tape and copy them to
CD or MP3/AAC, then play the digital media.
Good luck.
S.
--
* audiopages.googlepages . com
<ilovechristina2004@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:frjaga012dc@news5.newsguy . com ...
> First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
> closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
> my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
> slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
> used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
> else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
> playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
> without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
> months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
> transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
> capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
> system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
> TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
> beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
> later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
> shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
> be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
> was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
> some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
> would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
> contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
> then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
> head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
> craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
> or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
> spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
> this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
> would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
> little. Thanks!
It's not so much a modification you're asking for, but a redesign, and
that's way outside of what you can do at home unless you have a very well
equipped mechanical workshop. The best dual-capstan decks I know of are the
Nakamichis, 482Z, BX300 and the like. They had two capstans of different
diameters, running at different rotational speeds to spread the W&F and
resonances, and also, they two capstans had *very* slightly different linear
speeds to maintain tension across the heads. The Nakamichi heads pushed the
standard cassette pressure-pads out of the way.
As I think what you're asking for is not feasible, what you need to do is to
find a way of reducing the effect of wrinkles in the tape. One way is to
increase the pressure-pad pressure, perhaps by fitting a small piece of
foam-rubber behind the pad, inside each cassette. This will have the effect
of smoothing the tape, but at the expense of increased flutter, and possibly
even speed accuracy. Speed accuracy can be checked and corrected-for,
there's usually a small adjuster at the back of the motor: flutter you can't
do much about, although you can try and lubricate the pressure pad with a
DRY lubricant, like graphite. All this is a lot of bother, and needs to be
done per-cassette, but you only need to do it once per tape and copy them to
CD or MP3/AAC, then play the digital media.
Good luck.
S.
--
* audiopages.googlepages . com
Re: Dual-transport/capstan modification for existing single capstan
On Mar 16, 11:15 am, "Serge Auckland" <sergeauckl...@btinternet . com >
wrote:
> <ilovechristina2...@gmail . com > wrote in message
>
> news:frjaga012dc@news5.newsguy . com ...
>
>
>
> > First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
> > closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
> > my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
> > slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
> > used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
> > else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
> > playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
> > without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
> > months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
> > transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
> > capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
> > system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
> > TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
> > beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
> > later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
> > shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
> > be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
> > was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
> > some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
> > would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
> > contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
> > then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
> > head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
> > craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
> > or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
> > spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
> > this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
> > would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
> > little. Thanks!
>
> It's not so much a modification you're asking for, but a redesign, and
> that's way outside of what you can do at home unless you have a very well
> equipped mechanical workshop. The best dual-capstan decks I know of are the
> Nakamichis, 482Z, BX300 and the like. They had two capstans of different
> diameters, running at different rotational speeds to spread the W&F and
> resonances, and also, they two capstans had *very* slightly different linear
> speeds to maintain tension across the heads. The Nakamichi heads pushed the
> standard cassette pressure-pads out of the way.
>
> As I think what you're asking for is not feasible, what you need to do is to
> find a way of reducing the effect of wrinkles in the tape. One way is to
> increase the pressure-pad pressure, perhaps by fitting a small piece of
> foam-rubber behind the pad, inside each cassette. This will have the effect
> of smoothing the tape, but at the expense of increased flutter, and possibly
> even speed accuracy. Speed accuracy can be checked and corrected-for,
> there's usually a small adjuster at the back of the motor: flutter you can't
> do much about, although you can try and lubricate the pressure pad with a
> DRY lubricant, like graphite. All this is a lot of bother, and needs to be
> done per-cassette, but you only need to do it once per tape and copy them to
> CD or MP3/AAC, then play the digital media.
>
> Good luck.
>
> S.
>
> -- * audiopages.googlepages . com
Very sound advice. Thank you. I'm glad noone's telling me to "just
forget about cassettes and get an iPod." Tapes sound
better...period. This sounds like a good thing to try, but if anyone
else has any opinion, I'm still open to suggestions. Thanks!
On Mar 16, 11:15 am, "Serge Auckland" <sergeauckl...@btinternet . com >
wrote:
> <ilovechristina2...@gmail . com > wrote in message
>
> news:frjaga012dc@news5.newsguy . com ...
>
>
>
> > First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
> > closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
> > my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
> > slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
> > used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
> > else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
> > playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
> > without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
> > months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
> > transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
> > capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
> > system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
> > TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
> > beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
> > later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
> > shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
> > be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
> > was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
> > some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
> > would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
> > contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
> > then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
> > head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
> > craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
> > or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
> > spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
> > this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
> > would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
> > little. Thanks!
>
> It's not so much a modification you're asking for, but a redesign, and
> that's way outside of what you can do at home unless you have a very well
> equipped mechanical workshop. The best dual-capstan decks I know of are the
> Nakamichis, 482Z, BX300 and the like. They had two capstans of different
> diameters, running at different rotational speeds to spread the W&F and
> resonances, and also, they two capstans had *very* slightly different linear
> speeds to maintain tension across the heads. The Nakamichi heads pushed the
> standard cassette pressure-pads out of the way.
>
> As I think what you're asking for is not feasible, what you need to do is to
> find a way of reducing the effect of wrinkles in the tape. One way is to
> increase the pressure-pad pressure, perhaps by fitting a small piece of
> foam-rubber behind the pad, inside each cassette. This will have the effect
> of smoothing the tape, but at the expense of increased flutter, and possibly
> even speed accuracy. Speed accuracy can be checked and corrected-for,
> there's usually a small adjuster at the back of the motor: flutter you can't
> do much about, although you can try and lubricate the pressure pad with a
> DRY lubricant, like graphite. All this is a lot of bother, and needs to be
> done per-cassette, but you only need to do it once per tape and copy them to
> CD or MP3/AAC, then play the digital media.
>
> Good luck.
>
> S.
>
> -- * audiopages.googlepages . com
Very sound advice. Thank you. I'm glad noone's telling me to "just
forget about cassettes and get an iPod." Tapes sound
better...period. This sounds like a good thing to try, but if anyone
else has any opinion, I'm still open to suggestions. Thanks!
Re: Dual-transport/capstan modification for existing single capstan
On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:29:46 -0700, ilovechristina2004@gmail . com wrote
(in article <frks3q031gc@news2.newsguy . com >):
> On Mar 16, 11:15 am, "Serge Auckland" <sergeauckl...@btinternet . com >
> wrote:
>> <ilovechristina2...@gmail . com > wrote in message
>>
>> news:frjaga012dc@news5.newsguy . com ...
>>
>>
>>
>>> First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
>>> closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
>>> my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
>>> slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
>>> used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
>>> else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
>>> playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
>>> without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
>>> months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
>>> transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
>>> capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
>>> system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
>>> TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
>>> beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
>>> later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
>>> shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
>>> be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
>>> was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
>>> some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
>>> would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
>>> contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
>>> then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
>>> head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
>>> craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
>>> or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
>>> spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
>>> this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
>>> would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
>>> little. Thanks!
>>
>> It's not so much a modification you're asking for, but a redesign, and
>> that's way outside of what you can do at home unless you have a very well
>> equipped mechanical workshop. The best dual-capstan decks I know of are the
>> Nakamichis, 482Z, BX300 and the like. They had two capstans of different
>> diameters, running at different rotational speeds to spread the W&F and
>> resonances, and also, they two capstans had *very* slightly different linear
>> speeds to maintain tension across the heads. The Nakamichi heads pushed the
>> standard cassette pressure-pads out of the way.
>>
>> As I think what you're asking for is not feasible, what you need to do is to
>> find a way of reducing the effect of wrinkles in the tape. One way is to
>> increase the pressure-pad pressure, perhaps by fitting a small piece of
>> foam-rubber behind the pad, inside each cassette. This will have the effect
>> of smoothing the tape, but at the expense of increased flutter, and possibly
>> even speed accuracy. Speed accuracy can be checked and corrected-for,
>> there's usually a small adjuster at the back of the motor: flutter you can't
>> do much about, although you can try and lubricate the pressure pad with a
>> DRY lubricant, like graphite. All this is a lot of bother, and needs to be
>> done per-cassette, but you only need to do it once per tape and copy them to
>> CD or MP3/AAC, then play the digital media.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>> S.
>>
>> -- * audiopages.googlepages . com
>
> Very sound advice. Thank you. I'm glad noone's telling me to "just
> forget about cassettes and get an iPod." Tapes sound
> better...period. This sounds like a good thing to try, but if anyone
> else has any opinion, I'm still open to suggestions. Thanks!
Sony and a few other brands made dual capstan decks too. I used to have one
that not only sported dual capstans but had three heads, THREE MOTORS, and
Dolby HX-Pro to boot! It was called the Aiwa F990. I used it for years before
the belt (one capstan motor, two capstan/flywheel assemblies) broke and I was
disinclined to get it fixed. Of course, now, I regret that and would love to
have it back. It made the best sounding cassettes I ever heard. Low in
flutter, excellent high-frequency response (HX-pro) and low noise using
premium cassettes.
On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:29:46 -0700, ilovechristina2004@gmail . com wrote
(in article <frks3q031gc@news2.newsguy . com >):
> On Mar 16, 11:15 am, "Serge Auckland" <sergeauckl...@btinternet . com >
> wrote:
>> <ilovechristina2...@gmail . com > wrote in message
>>
>> news:frjaga012dc@news5.newsguy . com ...
>>
>>
>>
>>> First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
>>> closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
>>> my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
>>> slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
>>> used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
>>> else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
>>> playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
>>> without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
>>> months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
>>> transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
>>> capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
>>> system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
>>> TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
>>> beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
>>> later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
>>> shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
>>> be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
>>> was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
>>> some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
>>> would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
>>> contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
>>> then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
>>> head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
>>> craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
>>> or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
>>> spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
>>> this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
>>> would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
>>> little. Thanks!
>>
>> It's not so much a modification you're asking for, but a redesign, and
>> that's way outside of what you can do at home unless you have a very well
>> equipped mechanical workshop. The best dual-capstan decks I know of are the
>> Nakamichis, 482Z, BX300 and the like. They had two capstans of different
>> diameters, running at different rotational speeds to spread the W&F and
>> resonances, and also, they two capstans had *very* slightly different linear
>> speeds to maintain tension across the heads. The Nakamichi heads pushed the
>> standard cassette pressure-pads out of the way.
>>
>> As I think what you're asking for is not feasible, what you need to do is to
>> find a way of reducing the effect of wrinkles in the tape. One way is to
>> increase the pressure-pad pressure, perhaps by fitting a small piece of
>> foam-rubber behind the pad, inside each cassette. This will have the effect
>> of smoothing the tape, but at the expense of increased flutter, and possibly
>> even speed accuracy. Speed accuracy can be checked and corrected-for,
>> there's usually a small adjuster at the back of the motor: flutter you can't
>> do much about, although you can try and lubricate the pressure pad with a
>> DRY lubricant, like graphite. All this is a lot of bother, and needs to be
>> done per-cassette, but you only need to do it once per tape and copy them to
>> CD or MP3/AAC, then play the digital media.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>> S.
>>
>> -- * audiopages.googlepages . com
>
> Very sound advice. Thank you. I'm glad noone's telling me to "just
> forget about cassettes and get an iPod." Tapes sound
> better...period. This sounds like a good thing to try, but if anyone
> else has any opinion, I'm still open to suggestions. Thanks!
Sony and a few other brands made dual capstan decks too. I used to have one
that not only sported dual capstans but had three heads, THREE MOTORS, and
Dolby HX-Pro to boot! It was called the Aiwa F990. I used it for years before
the belt (one capstan motor, two capstan/flywheel assemblies) broke and I was
disinclined to get it fixed. Of course, now, I regret that and would love to
have it back. It made the best sounding cassettes I ever heard. Low in
flutter, excellent high-frequency response (HX-pro) and low noise using
premium cassettes.
Re: Dual-transport/capstan modification for existing single capstan
Sonnova wrote:
> On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:29:46 -0700, ilovechristina2004@gmail . com wrote
> (in article <frks3q031gc@news2.newsguy . com >):
>
>
>>On Mar 16, 11:15 am, "Serge Auckland" <sergeauckl...@btinternet . com >
>>wrote:
>>
>>><ilovechristina2...@gmail . com > wrote in message
>>>
>>>news:frjaga012dc@news5.newsguy . com ...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
>>>>closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
>>>>my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
>>>>slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
>>>>used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
>>>>else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
>>>>playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
>>>>without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
>>>>months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
>>>>transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
>>>>capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
>>>>system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
>>>>TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
>>>>beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
>>>>later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
>>>>shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
>>>>be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
>>>>was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
>>>>some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
>>>>would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
>>>>contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
>>>>then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
>>>>head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
>>>>craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
>>>>or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
>>>>spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
>>>>this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
>>>>would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
>>>>little. Thanks!
>>>
>>>It's not so much a modification you're asking for, but a redesign, and
>>>that's way outside of what you can do at home unless you have a very well
>>>equipped mechanical workshop. The best dual-capstan decks I know of are the
>>>Nakamichis, 482Z, BX300 and the like. They had two capstans of different
>>>diameters, running at different rotational speeds to spread the W&F and
>>>resonances, and also, they two capstans had *very* slightly different linear
>>>speeds to maintain tension across the heads. The Nakamichi heads pushed the
>>>standard cassette pressure-pads out of the way.
>>>
>>>As I think what you're asking for is not feasible, what you need to do is to
>>>find a way of reducing the effect of wrinkles in the tape. One way is to
>>>increase the pressure-pad pressure, perhaps by fitting a small piece of
>>>foam-rubber behind the pad, inside each cassette. This will have the effect
>>>of smoothing the tape, but at the expense of increased flutter, and possibly
>>>even speed accuracy. Speed accuracy can be checked and corrected-for,
>>>there's usually a small adjuster at the back of the motor: flutter you can't
>>>do much about, although you can try and lubricate the pressure pad with a
>>>DRY lubricant, like graphite. All this is a lot of bother, and needs to be
>>>done per-cassette, but you only need to do it once per tape and copy them to
>>>CD or MP3/AAC, then play the digital media.
>>>
>>>Good luck.
>>>
>>>S.
>>>
>>>-- * audiopages.googlepages . com
>>
>>Very sound advice. Thank you. I'm glad noone's telling me to "just
>>forget about cassettes and get an iPod." Tapes sound
>>better...period. This sounds like a good thing to try, but if anyone
>>else has any opinion, I'm still open to suggestions. Thanks!
>
>
> Sony and a few other brands made dual capstan decks too. I used to have one
> that not only sported dual capstans but had three heads, THREE MOTORS, and
> Dolby HX-Pro to boot! It was called the Aiwa F990. I used it for years before
> the belt (one capstan motor, two capstan/flywheel assemblies) broke and I was
> disinclined to get it fixed. Of course, now, I regret that and would love to
> have it back. It made the best sounding cassettes I ever heard. Low in
> flutter, excellent high-frequency response (HX-pro) and low noise using
> premium cassettes.
I used to absolutely love the cassette medium. Something about making
your own tapes, recording your favorite vinyl to a TDK MA-X tape,
setting the bias and recording levels, and every once in a while making
sure that the azimuth is correct.
You know the thing about Dolby HX-Pro? It was a cleverly marketed but
faux "panacea" for high frequency headroom. I, too owned, actually still
own, a 3 head, dual capstan deck with Dolby HX pro, the JVC-TDV-621. I
had it specfically tuned by JVC for TDK tapes.
I loved the tapes it used to make.
Now, if you looked at the mass market of cassette decks, all the
manufacturers, Sony, Aiwa, JVC, TEAC, you name it, had Dolby HX pro. All
except 1, Nakamichi. They were the Rolls Royce or Bentley of all tape
decks. I compared several models of other manufacturer's decks to
Nakamichi and figured out why Naks didn't have HX-Pro: They didn't need
it. The bias frequencies used by Naks was easily twice as high as the
bias frequency used by other tape deck manufacturers. The figures are a
bit elusive now, but it was something like all other tape deck makers
using a bias frequency of 120 to 160 Khz and Naks used a frequency of
300 Khz or more.
No wonder that Naks could get even their normal tapes to record high
frequencies just about as well as metal tapes. With all other
manufacturers, metal was the exception when it came to high frequency
headroom.
When it came to cassette decks, "That's what's up" wholeheartedly
applied to Nakamichi cassette decks.
They were "tha bomb." No doubt.
CD
Sonnova wrote:
> On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:29:46 -0700, ilovechristina2004@gmail . com wrote
> (in article <frks3q031gc@news2.newsguy . com >):
>
>
>>On Mar 16, 11:15 am, "Serge Auckland" <sergeauckl...@btinternet . com >
>>wrote:
>>
>>><ilovechristina2...@gmail . com > wrote in message
>>>
>>>news:frjaga012dc@news5.newsguy . com ...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
>>>>closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
>>>>my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
>>>>slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
>>>>used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
>>>>else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
>>>>playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
>>>>without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
>>>>months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
>>>>transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
>>>>capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
>>>>system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
>>>>TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
>>>>beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
>>>>later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
>>>>shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
>>>>be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
>>>>was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
>>>>some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
>>>>would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
>>>>contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
>>>>then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
>>>>head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
>>>>craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
>>>>or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
>>>>spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
>>>>this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
>>>>would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
>>>>little. Thanks!
>>>
>>>It's not so much a modification you're asking for, but a redesign, and
>>>that's way outside of what you can do at home unless you have a very well
>>>equipped mechanical workshop. The best dual-capstan decks I know of are the
>>>Nakamichis, 482Z, BX300 and the like. They had two capstans of different
>>>diameters, running at different rotational speeds to spread the W&F and
>>>resonances, and also, they two capstans had *very* slightly different linear
>>>speeds to maintain tension across the heads. The Nakamichi heads pushed the
>>>standard cassette pressure-pads out of the way.
>>>
>>>As I think what you're asking for is not feasible, what you need to do is to
>>>find a way of reducing the effect of wrinkles in the tape. One way is to
>>>increase the pressure-pad pressure, perhaps by fitting a small piece of
>>>foam-rubber behind the pad, inside each cassette. This will have the effect
>>>of smoothing the tape, but at the expense of increased flutter, and possibly
>>>even speed accuracy. Speed accuracy can be checked and corrected-for,
>>>there's usually a small adjuster at the back of the motor: flutter you can't
>>>do much about, although you can try and lubricate the pressure pad with a
>>>DRY lubricant, like graphite. All this is a lot of bother, and needs to be
>>>done per-cassette, but you only need to do it once per tape and copy them to
>>>CD or MP3/AAC, then play the digital media.
>>>
>>>Good luck.
>>>
>>>S.
>>>
>>>-- * audiopages.googlepages . com
>>
>>Very sound advice. Thank you. I'm glad noone's telling me to "just
>>forget about cassettes and get an iPod." Tapes sound
>>better...period. This sounds like a good thing to try, but if anyone
>>else has any opinion, I'm still open to suggestions. Thanks!
>
>
> Sony and a few other brands made dual capstan decks too. I used to have one
> that not only sported dual capstans but had three heads, THREE MOTORS, and
> Dolby HX-Pro to boot! It was called the Aiwa F990. I used it for years before
> the belt (one capstan motor, two capstan/flywheel assemblies) broke and I was
> disinclined to get it fixed. Of course, now, I regret that and would love to
> have it back. It made the best sounding cassettes I ever heard. Low in
> flutter, excellent high-frequency response (HX-pro) and low noise using
> premium cassettes.
I used to absolutely love the cassette medium. Something about making
your own tapes, recording your favorite vinyl to a TDK MA-X tape,
setting the bias and recording levels, and every once in a while making
sure that the azimuth is correct.
You know the thing about Dolby HX-Pro? It was a cleverly marketed but
faux "panacea" for high frequency headroom. I, too owned, actually still
own, a 3 head, dual capstan deck with Dolby HX pro, the JVC-TDV-621. I
had it specfically tuned by JVC for TDK tapes.
I loved the tapes it used to make.
Now, if you looked at the mass market of cassette decks, all the
manufacturers, Sony, Aiwa, JVC, TEAC, you name it, had Dolby HX pro. All
except 1, Nakamichi. They were the Rolls Royce or Bentley of all tape
decks. I compared several models of other manufacturer's decks to
Nakamichi and figured out why Naks didn't have HX-Pro: They didn't need
it. The bias frequencies used by Naks was easily twice as high as the
bias frequency used by other tape deck manufacturers. The figures are a
bit elusive now, but it was something like all other tape deck makers
using a bias frequency of 120 to 160 Khz and Naks used a frequency of
300 Khz or more.
No wonder that Naks could get even their normal tapes to record high
frequencies just about as well as metal tapes. With all other
manufacturers, metal was the exception when it came to high frequency
headroom.
When it came to cassette decks, "That's what's up" wholeheartedly
applied to Nakamichi cassette decks.
They were "tha bomb." No doubt.
CD
Re: Dual-transport/capstan modification for existing single capstan
On Mar 25, 6:54 pm, Codifus <codi...@optonline . net > wrote:
> Sonnova wrote:
> > On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:29:46 -0700, ilovechristina2...@gmail . com wrote
> > (in article <frks3q03...@news2.newsguy . com >):
>
> >>On Mar 16, 11:15 am, "Serge Auckland" <sergeauckl...@btinternet . com >
> >>wrote:
>
> >>><ilovechristina2...@gmail . com > wrote in message
>
> >>>news:frjaga012dc@news5.newsguy . com ...
>
> >>>>First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
> >>>>closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
> >>>>my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
> >>>>slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
> >>>>used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
> >>>>else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
> >>>>playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
> >>>>without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
> >>>>months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
> >>>>transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
> >>>>capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
> >>>>system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
> >>>>TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
> >>>>beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
> >>>>later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
> >>>>shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
> >>>>be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
> >>>>was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
> >>>>some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
> >>>>would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
> >>>>contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
> >>>>then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
> >>>>head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
> >>>>craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
> >>>>or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
> >>>>spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
> >>>>this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
> >>>>would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
> >>>>little. Thanks!
>
> >>>It's not so much a modification you're asking for, but a redesign, and
> >>>that's way outside of what you can do at home unless you have a very well
> >>>equipped mechanical workshop. The best dual-capstan decks I know of are the
> >>>Nakamichis, 482Z, BX300 and the like. They had two capstans of different
> >>>diameters, running at different rotational speeds to spread the W&F and
> >>>resonances, and also, they two capstans had *very* slightly different linear
> >>>speeds to maintain tension across the heads. The Nakamichi heads pushed the
> >>>standard cassette pressure-pads out of the way.
>
> >>>As I think what you're asking for is not feasible, what you need to do is to
> >>>find a way of reducing the effect of wrinkles in the tape. One way is to
> >>>increase the pressure-pad pressure, perhaps by fitting a small piece of
> >>>foam-rubber behind the pad, inside each cassette. This will have the effect
> >>>of smoothing the tape, but at the expense of increased flutter, and possibly
> >>>even speed accuracy. Speed accuracy can be checked and corrected-for,
> >>>there's usually a small adjuster at the back of the motor: flutter you can't
> >>>do much about, although you can try and lubricate the pressure pad with a
> >>>DRY lubricant, like graphite. All this is a lot of bother, and needs to be
> >>>done per-cassette, but you only need to do it once per tape and copy them to
> >>>CD or MP3/AAC, then play the digital media.
>
> >>>Good luck.
>
> >>>S.
>
> >>>-- * audiopages.googlepages . com
>
> >>Very sound advice. Thank you. I'm glad noone's telling me to "just
> >>forget about cassettes and get an iPod." Tapes sound
> >>better...period. This sounds like a good thing to try, but if anyone
> >>else has any opinion, I'm still open to suggestions. Thanks!
>
> > Sony and a few other brands made dual capstan decks too. I used to have one
> > that not only sported dual capstans but had three heads, THREE MOTORS, and
> > Dolby HX-Pro to boot! It was called the Aiwa F990. I used it for years before
> > the belt (one capstan motor, two capstan/flywheel assemblies) broke and I was
> > disinclined to get it fixed. Of course, now, I regret that and would love to
> > have it back. It made the best sounding cassettes I ever heard. Low in
> > flutter, excellent high-frequency response (HX-pro) and low noise using
> > premium cassettes.
>
> I used to absolutely love the cassette medium. Something about making
> your own tapes, recording your favorite vinyl to a TDK MA-X tape,
> setting the bias and recording levels, and every once in a while making
> sure that the azimuth is correct.
>
> You know the thing about Dolby HX-Pro? It was a cleverly marketed but
> faux "panacea" for high frequency headroom. I, too owned, actually still
> own, a 3 head, dual capstan deck with Dolby HX pro, the JVC-TDV-621. I
> had it specfically tuned by JVC for TDK tapes.
> I loved the tapes it used to make.
>
> Now, if you looked at the mass market of cassette decks, all the
> manufacturers, Sony, Aiwa, JVC, TEAC, you name it, had Dolby HX pro. All
> except 1, Nakamichi. They were the Rolls Royce or Bentley of all tape
> decks. I compared several models of other manufacturer's decks to
> Nakamichi and figured out why Naks didn't have HX-Pro: They didn't need
> it. The bias frequencies used by Naks was easily twice as high as the
> bias frequency used by other tape deck manufacturers. The figures are a
> bit elusive now, but it was something like all other tape deck makers
> using a bias frequency of 120 to 160 Khz and Naks used a frequency of
> 300 Khz or more.
>
> No wonder that Naks could get even their normal tapes to record high
> frequencies just about as well as metal tapes. With all other
> manufacturers, metal was the exception when it came to high frequency
> headroom.
>
> When it came to cassette decks, "That's what's up" wholeheartedly
> applied to Nakamichi cassette decks.
>
> They were "tha bomb." No doubt.
>
> CD- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
I've decided to drop the idea (since it apprently is next to
impossible) and go with a Pioneer CT-F1250 deck...but it has issues
and there's a thread dedicated just for that, if anyone has any ideas,
I could sure use them. Thanks....and thanks for the help so far.
On Mar 25, 6:54 pm, Codifus <codi...@optonline . net > wrote:
> Sonnova wrote:
> > On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:29:46 -0700, ilovechristina2...@gmail . com wrote
> > (in article <frks3q03...@news2.newsguy . com >):
>
> >>On Mar 16, 11:15 am, "Serge Auckland" <sergeauckl...@btinternet . com >
> >>wrote:
>
> >>><ilovechristina2...@gmail . com > wrote in message
>
> >>>news:frjaga012dc@news5.newsguy . com ...
>
> >>>>First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
> >>>>closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
> >>>>my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
> >>>>slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
> >>>>used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
> >>>>else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
> >>>>playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
> >>>>without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
> >>>>months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
> >>>>transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
> >>>>capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
> >>>>system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
> >>>>TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
> >>>>beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
> >>>>later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
> >>>>shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
> >>>>be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
> >>>>was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
> >>>>some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
> >>>>would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
> >>>>contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
> >>>>then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
> >>>>head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
> >>>>craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
> >>>>or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
> >>>>spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
> >>>>this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
> >>>>would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
> >>>>little. Thanks!
>
> >>>It's not so much a modification you're asking for, but a redesign, and
> >>>that's way outside of what you can do at home unless you have a very well
> >>>equipped mechanical workshop. The best dual-capstan decks I know of are the
> >>>Nakamichis, 482Z, BX300 and the like. They had two capstans of different
> >>>diameters, running at different rotational speeds to spread the W&F and
> >>>resonances, and also, they two capstans had *very* slightly different linear
> >>>speeds to maintain tension across the heads. The Nakamichi heads pushed the
> >>>standard cassette pressure-pads out of the way.
>
> >>>As I think what you're asking for is not feasible, what you need to do is to
> >>>find a way of reducing the effect of wrinkles in the tape. One way is to
> >>>increase the pressure-pad pressure, perhaps by fitting a small piece of
> >>>foam-rubber behind the pad, inside each cassette. This will have the effect
> >>>of smoothing the tape, but at the expense of increased flutter, and possibly
> >>>even speed accuracy. Speed accuracy can be checked and corrected-for,
> >>>there's usually a small adjuster at the back of the motor: flutter you can't
> >>>do much about, although you can try and lubricate the pressure pad with a
> >>>DRY lubricant, like graphite. All this is a lot of bother, and needs to be
> >>>done per-cassette, but you only need to do it once per tape and copy them to
> >>>CD or MP3/AAC, then play the digital media.
>
> >>>Good luck.
>
> >>>S.
>
> >>>-- * audiopages.googlepages . com
>
> >>Very sound advice. Thank you. I'm glad noone's telling me to "just
> >>forget about cassettes and get an iPod." Tapes sound
> >>better...period. This sounds like a good thing to try, but if anyone
> >>else has any opinion, I'm still open to suggestions. Thanks!
>
> > Sony and a few other brands made dual capstan decks too. I used to have one
> > that not only sported dual capstans but had three heads, THREE MOTORS, and
> > Dolby HX-Pro to boot! It was called the Aiwa F990. I used it for years before
> > the belt (one capstan motor, two capstan/flywheel assemblies) broke and I was
> > disinclined to get it fixed. Of course, now, I regret that and would love to
> > have it back. It made the best sounding cassettes I ever heard. Low in
> > flutter, excellent high-frequency response (HX-pro) and low noise using
> > premium cassettes.
>
> I used to absolutely love the cassette medium. Something about making
> your own tapes, recording your favorite vinyl to a TDK MA-X tape,
> setting the bias and recording levels, and every once in a while making
> sure that the azimuth is correct.
>
> You know the thing about Dolby HX-Pro? It was a cleverly marketed but
> faux "panacea" for high frequency headroom. I, too owned, actually still
> own, a 3 head, dual capstan deck with Dolby HX pro, the JVC-TDV-621. I
> had it specfically tuned by JVC for TDK tapes.
> I loved the tapes it used to make.
>
> Now, if you looked at the mass market of cassette decks, all the
> manufacturers, Sony, Aiwa, JVC, TEAC, you name it, had Dolby HX pro. All
> except 1, Nakamichi. They were the Rolls Royce or Bentley of all tape
> decks. I compared several models of other manufacturer's decks to
> Nakamichi and figured out why Naks didn't have HX-Pro: They didn't need
> it. The bias frequencies used by Naks was easily twice as high as the
> bias frequency used by other tape deck manufacturers. The figures are a
> bit elusive now, but it was something like all other tape deck makers
> using a bias frequency of 120 to 160 Khz and Naks used a frequency of
> 300 Khz or more.
>
> No wonder that Naks could get even their normal tapes to record high
> frequencies just about as well as metal tapes. With all other
> manufacturers, metal was the exception when it came to high frequency
> headroom.
>
> When it came to cassette decks, "That's what's up" wholeheartedly
> applied to Nakamichi cassette decks.
>
> They were "tha bomb." No doubt.
>
> CD- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
I've decided to drop the idea (since it apprently is next to
impossible) and go with a Pioneer CT-F1250 deck...but it has issues
and there's a thread dedicated just for that, if anyone has any ideas,
I could sure use them. Thanks....and thanks for the help so far.
Re: Dual-transport/capstan modification for existing single capstan
ilovechristina2004@gmail . com wrote:
> First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
> closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
> my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
> slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
> used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
> else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
<snip>
> Thanks!
If it's not live music that can't be replaced, I'd not bother quite frankly.
I agree with Serge, other than the sorts of things he mentioned, ur out of luck.
You *might* be able to manage to increase the drag slightly on the supply side
of the cassette (we are talking casettes??) and get the effect you want that
way. Maybe.
On a reel to reel machine, there are greater possibilities.
You might want to pose this technical question on * diyaudio . com in the
appropriate group. Also on USENET on rec.audio.pro - tape restoration and play
back is still of interest to pro sound people.
- -bear
ilovechristina2004@gmail . com wrote:
> First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
> closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
> my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
> slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
> used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
> else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
<snip>
> Thanks!
If it's not live music that can't be replaced, I'd not bother quite frankly.
I agree with Serge, other than the sorts of things he mentioned, ur out of luck.
You *might* be able to manage to increase the drag slightly on the supply side
of the cassette (we are talking casettes??) and get the effect you want that
way. Maybe.
On a reel to reel machine, there are greater possibilities.
You might want to pose this technical question on * diyaudio . com in the
appropriate group. Also on USENET on rec.audio.pro - tape restoration and play
back is still of interest to pro sound people.
- -bear
Re: Dual-transport/capstan modification for existing single capstan
On Mar 16, 10:23 am, ilovechristina2...@gmail . com wrote:
> First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
> closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
> my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
> slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
> used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
> else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
> playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
> without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
> months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
> transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
> capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
> system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
> TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
> beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
> later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
> shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
> be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
> was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
> some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
> would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
> contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
> then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
> head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
> craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
> or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
> spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
> this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
> would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
> little. Thanks!
My advice to you would be to hunt carefully and look for the correct
unit. You *will not* be able to modify an existing deck, pretty much
that is not within the skill-set of a home hobbyist who is also not a
watchmaker and much more.
Look for any of several Revox decks, Serge mentioned Nakamichi, and I
believe there are some higher-end Tascams with dual capstans. I keep a
Revox and a Tascam - but I also have an ancient HK2000 that seems to
handle mangled tapes remarkably well. As it cost me all of $15
inclusive of shipping, I am not about to complain on that cost. I find
that taking any tape and running it FF/R through several cycles and
then letting it stand overnight before playing does sometimes help.
* w w w .analogstereo . com /reel2reel revox b215.htm
Shows the transport mechanism for the Revox.
Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA
On Mar 16, 10:23 am, ilovechristina2...@gmail . com wrote:
> First off, I hope that this subject fits in this category, it's the
> closest one I could find. I know this question is a little weird, but
> my reason for asking is in regards to recording to and listening to
> slightly stretched/wrinkled/warped tapes. I have alot of tapes I got
> used with good music on them (stuff you can't find on CD anywhere
> else), but the previous owners were slightly reckless with the media,
> playing them in cheap players and letting the tapes sit for years
> without moving rewinding or moving them through a transport every few
> months. I am convinced that I can get slightly better results with a
> transport that sports some type of tensioning system, such as a dual
> capstan system. However, right now I can't afford a Dual-Capstan
> system and I really like the deck I have. I currently have an Onkyo
> TA-2600 Deck (3-head, 3-motor, silent transport) and it sounds
> beautiful, however only on pristine cassettes. I slightly higher/
> later models had a second capstan/pinch roller (they used the same
> shell and I THINK the same transport chassis). How difficult would it
> be to say add a second capstan? That may be next to impossible, so I
> was thinking more of a logical approach. Would it be possible to add
> some sort of tensioning apparatus inside the cassette compartment that
> would stretch uneven/warped tape a bit more so they would have better
> contact with the heads? If this all sounds like too much of a hassle,
> then does anyone know where I could find a cheap (yet high-end) 3
> head, dual capstan system in somewhat decent condition? eBay is nuts,
> craigslist is barren and most for-sale sites list their decks at $200
> or more. I don't have that kind of money right now and can't justify
> spending a crazy amount on a tape deck. I got this TA-2600 for , get
> this, $26 because the left input rac jack was broken. Any help at all
> would be helpful...I think it would be kind of cool to mod this deck a
> little. Thanks!
My advice to you would be to hunt carefully and look for the correct
unit. You *will not* be able to modify an existing deck, pretty much
that is not within the skill-set of a home hobbyist who is also not a
watchmaker and much more.
Look for any of several Revox decks, Serge mentioned Nakamichi, and I
believe there are some higher-end Tascams with dual capstans. I keep a
Revox and a Tascam - but I also have an ancient HK2000 that seems to
handle mangled tapes remarkably well. As it cost me all of $15
inclusive of shipping, I am not about to complain on that cost. I find
that taking any tape and running it FF/R through several cycles and
then letting it stand overnight before playing does sometimes help.
* w w w .analogstereo . com /reel2reel revox b215.htm
Shows the transport mechanism for the Revox.
Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA
