what are you listening to?

derek92994

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Those who enter the man cave will get WOPLed
Genesis - Wind and Wuthering - Vinyl

The release of this album on CD can't hold a candle to this original vinyl release. Sounds like it has been rushed or done with a 3rd or 4th generation master, the CD remaster released later down the track sounds compressed, a major effect has been put on the whole album and it sounds like garbage.

This is one of the records that simply didn't track well with my previous vinyl cartridge (common with Charisma pressings). However listening to it on vinyl with the Audio Technica AT440MLa combined with the sonics of the WOPL provides a truly amazing experience. A real eye opener and a great way to finish an evening of music listening. Thanks again Lee, the WOPL has surprised me countless amounts of times by bringing everything out detailed and balanced like never before.
 

Lazarus Short

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Laz is listening to Jane Getz (Mother Hen) from iTunes, while burning 1X to a CDR. Attempt #1 failed due to the CDR being previously written. Attempt #2 (current) was done with random play on - my bad. When it's done, I'll try for the third time. Yeah, I'm a bit inexperienced at CD recording. Attempt #3 will be later today, and hopefully it will take. BTW, I think iTunes could be easier to use...
 

derek92994

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Genesis - 3 Sides Live - Vinyl sourced, recorded in National NV-850 Hi-Fi VCR (1984 model), played back in Hitachi F90 Hi-Fi VCR, TDK SC90 Tape. Sound is brilliant thanks to the National's high quality recording and audio only mode. Promo Vinyl Double LP (Virgin Label)

Thought I'd give the old Hitachi a Run, gave it the once over (tape path clean/re-lube of mechanism). Another freebie. Made in Japan.







 

derek92994

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Genesis - And then there were three - Flac - Transferring to VHS Hi-Fi




I originally wanted to transfer all my Genesis Vinyls to VHS (since the format records so well and accurately), but some of the pressings on the Charisma label were really bad, so I'm substituting them with good digital releases. However Wind & Wuthering, 3 Sides Live, 1973 Live, Seconds out, Invisible Touch, Self titled and Duke sound awesome on vinyl. I want all the albums on the VHS Hi-Fi format so a mix of Digital and Vinyl albums it is.
 

MarkWComer

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Transferring to VHS Hi-Fi
I still have my JVC HR-S6700U packed in a box and unused. Never really considered using it as an audio tape recorder even though it has the capability. So- I was wondering- are you using the 4 hour and/or 6 hour speeds for your Hi-Fi recordings? I wouldn't expect a loss in quality at lower speeds, but what a great idea to use the S-VHS machine for party mixes and multi-disc artist discographies.
 

derek92994

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I still have my JVC HR-S6700U packed in a box and unused. Never really considered using it as an audio tape recorder even though it has the capability. So- I was wondering- are you using the 4 hour and/or 6 hour speeds for your Hi-Fi recordings? I wouldn't expect a loss in quality at lower speeds, but what a great idea to use the S-VHS machine for party mixes and multi-disc artist discographies.
No I only use SP speed, 3 hour and 4 hour TDK Avilyn tapes. They are the smoothest on the heads/the least head wear. I will be stocking up on parts for my national NV-850 when I get a job, like head cylinders and belt/tension/roller care kits, its an outstanding machine with a good quartz lock drive motor.

Also there is no tape hiss at all, peaks can hit +10db without distortion, but I stick to +8db. 3 to 4 hours constant playback with multiple albums is a joy, especially multiple vinyls, and its pure analog. There is the rare mis-track which lasts for a split second on some machines on playback only but I have solved this problem by trialing different machines and found some that track perfectly with no hifi dropouts at all, also they don't have 'head chatter/head switching' noise which is common with VHS machines not compatible with each other fully as all heads are slightly different.

I use the national only for recording as its the best at what it does, and other machines for playback to preserve the heads in the recording machine. The national plays perfectly as well however I like to preserve the heads until I get replacements just in case. The audio mode allows extra bandwidth on the tape as no picture is recorded, as with VHS the hifi audio is normally recorded on a layer below/or above the video signal on the same portion of the tape, and the two can clash sometimes causing artifacts. Hence the audio only mode which eliminates this. You can get almost the same result by having no picture connected to the video in, however some machines don't like this during recording.
 

derek92994

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By the way, JVC Hi-Fi VCRs are an outstanding machine as well, I find the heads in them last a very very long time. Also very stable mechanisms with gentle tape handling. If you have not used yours for a while, be sure to put an old tape in it you don't care about and fast forward/rewind first, before attempting to play back or eject as years of idling may cause it to chew tapes due to degrading belts/idlers etc.

I had to sand the idler tyre in the national as it had been sitting idle since the late 80's before I acquired it recently, once it had proper grip again it functioned normally, otherwise it would have eaten the first tape I put in it. The pinch roller was like new but I still cleaned it and checked for proper grip. Also the belt had to be sanded. I should have some new belts/idlers for it in the next few months depending on finances. Its amazing that you can get parts for a 31 year old machine these days. However it has done around 45 hours recording so far without a hitch, no tape eating, nothing. I keep an eye on it from time to time to be sure its stable.

Lee helped me with the re-capping of the power supply, thanks bud. Brought this machine back to life nicely!
 
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