Ampex 623 open reel tape- any thoughts?

[Nick Danger]

Any of you folks have any experience with this tape? I was told this does not suffer from sticky shed. Sound quality? Back coated? 1.5 mil?

 

[Elite-ist]

I just bought two reels of NOS Ampex 631. It's a voice grade tape but I am interested in how well it performs after recording on it in my Pioneer RT-707. I haven't heard much about the 623. Did you recently buy some, or you are contemplating buying some, Nick?

Nando.

 

[Nick Danger]

I just bought two reels of NOS Ampex 631. It's a voice grade tape but I am interested in how well it performs after recording on it in my Pioneer RT-707. I haven't heard much about the 623. Did you recently buy some, or you are contemplating buying some, Nick?

Nando.

I have an opportunity to buy a few fresh pancakes to fill some empty reels, but I can't seem to find much info on this flavor. Always scared about Ampex tape because of SSS. Use ATR but, at $40/ pancake, I would rather buy new reels as it is not much more for tape reel and protective plastic case.

 

[Elite-ist]

I had a bad experience using Ampex Grand Master on my RT-707. I won't use that brand again. Are you buying pancakes from Splicit? I have an older Akai R2R I can use to test tape brands I don't have previous experience with, but neither of my Pioneers will be doing test runs of those tapes, again.

Nando.

 

[Nick Danger]

I had a bad experience using Ampex Grand Master on my RT-707. I won't use that brand again. Are you buying pancakes from Splicit? I have an older Akai R2R I can use to test tape brands I don't have previous experience with, but neither of my Pioneers will be doing test runs of those tapes, again.

Nando.

I was tossing around the idea. They claim it has been stored in climate controlled environment and tested without any issues.

 

[Elite-ist]

If it's economical tape to buy, and it's not one of the tapes known for shedding, I would try it. Let me know your results if you do record on it. Unless I know from someone else's experience, I don't dare try something new when it comes to tape, whether it's cassette, open-reel, or other analog tape formats.

The last batch of new 7" open-reel tape I bought was a carton of 20 .25'' x 1200' of Quantegy 480, when it was still being manufactured. That is a very good tape to look for. Once I complete a cassette mix tape for you, Nick, it would be nice to do an open-reel mix tape swap. I haven't done one in more than one year.

Nando.

 

[Nick Danger]

If it's economical tape to buy, and it's not one of the tapes known for shedding, I would try it. Let me know your results if you do record on it. Unless I know from someone else's experience, I don't dare try something new when it comes to tape, whether it's cassette, open-reel, or other analog tape formats.

The last batch of new 7" open-reel tape I bought was a carton of 20 .25'' x 1200' of Quantegy 480, when it was still being manufactured. That is a very good tape to look for. Once I complete a cassette mix tape for you, Nick, it would be nice to do an open-reel mix tape swap. I haven't done one in more than one year.

Nando.

I was just informed it is 632 and not 623 which is why I could not find any info. Was contacted by a TH member explaining typo by Splicit and that they could get same tape to me at a better price. I asked seller what they think about 632 and to send pricing. I don't think this suffers from SSS and is considered low noise/ high output- please someone correct me if I am wrong.

I would be up for an open reel tape trade after the Holidays are over, Nando. 7" or 10.5"? I will need to get some fresh tape as I don't have any at present, but am looking to change that shortly. I wish ATR put tape on 7" reels.Guess I could buy some 10" pancakes and fill some empty 7"ers. Stinks that RMGI and my RTR don't get along due to slitting issues.

 

[Nick Danger]

Just ordered a fresh 7" reel of this and will see how my deck likes it.

 

[Elite-ist]

Nick: After the holidays will be fine. Ampex 632 is a grade above the 631 I just bought. It should be a good tape. A 7" open-reel exchange is what I intended. I will use a Quantegy 480 to record your mix on.

Nando.

 

[Nick Danger]

Nick: After the holidays will be fine. Ampex 632 is a grade above the 631 I just bought. It should be a good tape. A 7" open-reel exchange is what I intended. I will use a Quantegy 480 to record your mix on.

Nando.

Hooray, my first open reel tape trade. Do you have a theme in mind?

 

[Elite-ist]

Hooray, my first open reel tape trade. Do you have a theme in mind?

Nick: I have to work on a Deserted Island themed Master. You know - you're stuck on a deserted island and you only have one tape to listen to. What would you want on that tape? Is that something you might be interested in?

Nando.

 

[Nick Danger]

Nick: I have to work on a Deserted Island themed Master. You know - you're stuck on a deserted island and you only have one tape to listen to. What would you want on that tape? Is that something you might be interested in?

Nando.

Ahhh, working on your DIC(Deserted Isle Compilation)! I was thinking about a piano jazz mix for this tape, but I could do something different if that doesn't float your boat.

As far as my interests musically, I am open to most anything. Probably time for me to be Shpongled......don't know if you have that capability, but I wouldn't mind hearing a track or two from them.

 

[Elite-ist]

I do love jazz. I like the track you chose for the Vinyl Only TT by the Bill Evans Trio. If you want to do a jazz theme for me, I can certainly record some Sphongle, Younger Brother, and other spacy stuff from my collection. Sphongle on open-reel tape will knock you back in your seat, buddy! I know just the tracks to use.

Nando.

 

[Nick Danger]

I do love jazz. I like the track you chose for the Vinyl Only TT by the Bill Evans Trio. If you want to do a jazz theme for me, I can certainly record some Sphongle, Younger Brother, and other spacy stuff from my collection. Sphongle on open-reel tape will knock you back in your seat, buddy! I know just the tracks to use.

Nando.

Sounds like a plan. I could use a little more "trancey" music in the collection- cheers. I will be making a MD Master(as usual thanks to you) just in case anybody else wants one down the road.

 

[Elite-ist]

Right on! I am contemplating on dubbing your completed open-reel mix to MD as a Master for future cassette mix tapes. There's also something else I have been told that might give some nice results using the open reel deck as a pass through component between the source then recorded to MD.

Nando.

 

[laatsch55]

I do love jazz. I like the track you chose for the Vinyl Only TT by the Bill Evans Trio. If you want to do a jazz theme for me, I can certainly record some Sphongle, Younger Brother, and other spacy stuff from my collection. Sphongle on open-reel tape will knock you back in your seat, buddy! I know just the tracks to use.

Nando.

Yes you would.

 

[orange]

That's what I thought you meant-632 and the reel versions of the Phoenix Christmas album are going on 1200" 632 at 7.5 ips, by the way.

 

[rtp_burnsville]

Hi Nick,

Nando does a great job on his recordings (also on photos), you will certainly enjoy.......

As for Ampex tape; Never had much luck with any backcoated flavors but there are some non-coated reels around that are working fine. I'll find the number if I remember when I get home.


Not sure if you received last year's Christmas CD by Steven but that was very cool as well..... Can you believe it is almost time to dig that out once again????


Robert

 

[Nick Danger]

Hi Nick,

Nando does a great job on his recordings (also on photos), you will certainly enjoy.......

As for Ampex tape; Never had much luck with any backcoated flavors but there are some non-coated reels around that are working fine. I'll find the number if I remember when I get home.


Not sure if you received last year's Christmas CD by Steven but that was very cool as well..... Can you believe it is almost time to dig that out once again????


Robert

Hey Robert,

Gotta agree that Nando makes a fine, fine tape. I received one of his jazz mixes recently and loved it.

Ampex/ Quantegy 632 is not back coated so shouldn't be an issue w/ SSS I have been told. Ordered a few pancakes for some empty reels and I will see how my deck likes it. ATR, RMGI and Maxell all play and record nicely on my Pioneer RT 1020L, but I would be nice to buy some new tape that doesn't break the piggy bank as I would like to start doing a few open reel trades in the near- future. I would be interested in what other Ampex tape you had succes with in the past.

Looking forward to Steven's Holiday disc this year- still a newbie and was not around for last years CD/ tape. Still pulling track for my Holiday mix tape and hope to start making a master in the next few days.

 

[orange]

Hey Robert,

Gotta agree that Nando makes a fine, fine tape. I received one of his jazz mixes recently and loved it.

Ampex/ Quantegy 632 is not back coated so shouldn't be an issue w/ SSS I have been told. Ordered a few pancakes for some empty reels and I will see how my deck likes it. ATR, RMGI and Maxell all play and record nicely on my Pioneer RT 1020L, but I would be nice to buy some new tape that doesn't break the piggy bank as I would like to start doing a few open reel trades in the near- future. I would be interested in what other Ampex tape you had succes with in the past.

Looking forward to Steven's Holiday disc this year- still a newbie and was not around for last years CD/ tape. Still pulling track for my Holiday mix tape and hope to start making a master in the next few days.

Not to worry, I still have last year's three disc set ready to copy on a moment's whim go with a reel and backup CD you and a few others will have 4 discs (one is WMV long-form video, two CDs and I may YET get a Mac equipped friend to restore my pristine 2002 cassette master to a CD). Not to be repeated very often but everybody loved them so they are back for the new members out there.