A Tape Surprise

[Lazarus Short]

I was looking thru my ageing cassette collection the other day, looking for a particular one (didn't find it) and I came across this:

What do you think of that? I had no idea I had it.

 

[MarkWComer]

I used those a few times, I thought they were great!

 

[J!m]

I think it was on one of those, that I did a Tapeheads traveling tape with. It worked fine but didn’t blow me away.

I belive this is one of Nando’s preferred tapes.

 

[Elite-ist]

The tape is good. One of my favourite Sony Type IV tapes is the Metal XR. That was when they were inexpensive to buy at $2 per tape for sealed ones. But that was about six or so years ago. Now, I like using inexpensive Type I tapes and eke the most performance I can out of them with a good 3-head deck.

I recently recorded a mix tape for Ivo (Primare) where I used a Sony SR 90 and used Dolby C NR.





Nando.

 

[mr_rye89]

Metal SR and XR sound very similar to me. I'm glad I grabbed a factory case when they were $1-2 a tape. Only metal tapes I've ever used, I'm far too cheap to use "good" metal tapes

 

[Bob Boyer]

While we're on the topic of Sony tapes, anyone have any opinions on this Type I? I have 5 of them, alng with some random used TDKs - including a 110 minute MA - that I bought from a friend whose husband died.

 

[J!m]

Hard to see the picture, Bob...

 

[Bob Boyer]

Well, duh... Here 'tis:

 

[J!m]

Those work. I hadn't heard any negative reports on them, unlike SA railroading "chronic" problem (insert eye roll) and MA "chronic" white crap (insert other eye rolling). Actually I've not heard any problems with TDK D tapes either. (eyes not rolling)

Any tape can have problems, because they are antique, and we never know how they were stored. But those should be fine.

 

[Elite-ist]

Looks like the 1995-1996 version of Sony HF. Okay, but not the best vintage of the HF series. Surprise yourself and give it a go in your Nakamichi, Bob.

Nando.

 

[62vauxhall]

Sony marketed those cassettetes for quite a while so not crap. I used Sony HF C60's for tape for a month's long transfering project in the 1980's with good results. I've seen multiple styles of packaging graphics over the years but not the one in the photo.

 

[Bob Boyer]

Actually I've not heard any problems with TDK D tapes either. (eyes not rolling)...

Yeah, I've got a few Ds and have used them with success years ago.

 

[Lazarus Short]

Yeah, I've got a few Ds and have used them with success years ago.

I recall someone sending me a TDK D cassette, and I was both surprised and impressed at how much better it sounded compared to the old D's I had around the house. IIRC, I did an informal review of the tapes for the Phoenix forums, but I don't know how to find it now. Time was that old posts were easier to find...

 

[J!m]

We used a lot of Ds in the late 80’s and 90’s to capture band rehearsals. Recorded on my Panasonic or my sisters (something or other) boom box. Hers was more rounded, 90’s vintage.

But the drug store Ds did the job, and still sound good decades later.

Rust never sleeps.

 

[NavLinear]

I recall someone sending me a TDK D cassette, and I was both surprised and impressed at how much better it sounded compared to the old D's I had around the house. IIRC, I did an informal review of the tapes for the Phoenix forums, but I don't know how to find it now. Time was that old posts were easier to find...

Here's the link Laz.

https://forums.phxaudiotape.com/threads/you-got-tapes-please-review-rate-them-now.3298/#post-59063

 

[Lazarus Short]

Here's the link Laz.

https://forums.phxaudiotape.com/threads/you-got-tapes-please-review-rate-them-now.3298/#post-59063

Thanks! I'm sure that took you some time.

 

[J!m]

Very nice write up!

 

[Elite-ist]

Agreed - that was a good review, Laz. Are you fooling around with cassette tapes, anymore?

Nando.

 

[J!m]

C’mon Nando. Only a fool would mess around with tape.

 

[nakdoc]

Tape is for losers.....unless loosing is everything, then I want tape too! Sometimes I set decks up for D and it isn't much different from the ancient UD-XLI in my stash of calibration tapes. I am so highly biased that I can't bring myself to use Sony tape anymore (their labels came off in the car) but the HF clear shells look OK.