Best Of

I know what you mean, tape decks can be noisy in really quiet environments. The Crown is an excellent deck but the fan noise inside the open back cabinet is distracting. There can be rubbing of the tape against the reel flanges that cause a regular ticking sound. If there's any tape oxide shedding on the tape guides it can sound like a banshee. The first time I had that happen I thought something was going to detonate. I've had tape counters make very tiny ticking sounds and even the Studer's internal clock had to be unplugged. But, after all these machines are at least 40 years old, most older and if you can hang in there long enough they can be very satisfying to keep around.

Regarding playback SQ, that's why Ken and many other folks go head out with external tape EQ preamps. Calibration tapes and required equipment (scope, dB meter, frequency generator) add to the cost to extract best performance. Two of my decks required recapping, one needed four transistors. I purchased new manufacture Teac replica calibration tapes from Germany (3.75 & 7.5ips). Along with specific calibration frequencies, it includes 13 frequencies from 31Hz to 16kHz so I can test playback frequency response.

SQ wise, my Teac 4010U and Pioneer RT-71 are OK for just playing something in the background. The Teac X-1000r, A-6300's are very, very good and you get what the fuss is about. The X-1000r has dbx that can be switched on or off and can produce a very quiet recording but must be played back on a dbx deck. It also has EE tape capability. The Otari two track is currently my best sounding deck. It was designed to run all day for commercial use at TV and radio stations.

I'm told modern tape is slightly wider which can be noisy with dirty guides. You have to watch for SSS or sticky shed syndrome on older tapes. There are web sites devoted to that. The older tape I'll use is Maxell UD 35-90 and newer tape is RTM LPR35 and SM911.

My old Teac 4010SU has a paddle fan on capstan motor, very noticeable from a couple feet away at 7.5ips. Later A series Teac's used a redesigned cup style fan on the capstan motor that is much quieter, but still noticeable though muted at 7.5 within a couple feet.

My Teac X-1000r has DC motors and no cooling fans, electronic counter, much quieter at 7.5. Otari MX-5050 BIII-2 has a direct drive DC capstan motor with no cooling fan, electronic counter, very quiet even at 15ips.

I setup my reel table height for plastic reels and use shims for the thinner metal reels so the tape doesn't rub. The Teac TZ-612 10.5" NAB hub adapters had removable shims. 1/4 turn to remove or install, very convenient. I have a pair of fancy trumpet style hub adapters on the Otari and use a .7mm shim behind them for aluminum reels.

ahem... 1000ZXL Limited

source: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Archive-Audio/80s/Audio-1982-09.pdf#search="nakamichi 1000zxl"

I have not had a 2 channel setup since I was in college back in the mid 80’s and that was a lower level Technics receiver and cassette deck along with Technics speakers. It was all I could afford and I used it until about 1993 when I got into HT surround sound. Over the years I built a decent surround system that I used for both stereo and multi channel listening. I was happy with what I had.

A couple of years ago I found I was mostly listening to 2 channel so decided it was time to up my 2 channel game. I picked up a LUXMAN SACD player locally that really impressed me so I went in search of either a preamp to pair with my Parasound A21+ or a quality integrated amp. I ultimately came across a nice deal on a LUXMAN 509x integrated and my wife and I did a 16 hour round trip to pick it up in person in PA. That was about 2 months ago. I am using it to power my L800’s and the sound I am getting is the best I have ever had in my room. I do want to get a decent streamer and DAC but for now I’m running my laptop via USB into the D-05u with no complaints.

I think I have only powered up the multichannel setup a couple of times since October and don’t miss it at all.