A World of Music on Reel Tape at Your Fingertips
Nothing sounds better than music on audio reel to reel tape. The return of the most delicate, but most considered, kind of audio format for a true audiophiles. The most dubious audiophiles know the truth about reel-to-reel tape. The truth is that it just sounds better than vinyl. The ultimate reel to reel tape is the latest retro-trend for audiophiles, it has a greater dynamic range than vinyl, capable of producing extraordinary sound for the treble and bass and there is less signal processing which is the enemy of a hi-fi extraordinaire.
Technical Information
The magnetic tape used for this product is the finest state-of-the-art on the market today. Buying an audio tape from 2xHD guarantees that ultimate quality is preserved from the original master in contrast to vinyl albums, CDs or other formats which are all generated from multiple generations of the original eg: tapes have been duplicated (made into ‘safety Copies’) from the master to be sent to mastering labs around the world from which more generations or conversions of the original are used for manufacturing and reproducing. At 2xHD we always use the original master tape for the transfer to your tape.
All transfer pollution which may be caused by cabling, audio consoles, electrical interference, and amplifiers, are eliminated in the 2xHD chain as we dig into the original recording, using more sophisticated power supplies, cables, etc. These procedures help lower tape noise at the lowest spectrum and bring out the second harmonics warmth associated with analogue recordings, creating a fresh, new, yet authentic version of the original recording. We call the procedure ‘back to the future technology’. So, it’s fair to say that you own a recording that is superior to the original released product.
The transfer is made to the best magnetic tape on the market today, the SM900 Studio Master tape which has all the features of a master tape but is also designed for long storage. The formula was created by AGFA around 1973. This tape has the best Print-through protection and longest storage life. Tapes of this formula have been stored for more than 40 years — and display no deterioration of the coating or sound quality. It is often chosen by professionals who specialize in classical, instrumental or voice recordings due to the “transparent” sound of its formula.
Pure Analog Tape Duplication By 2xHD Fusion:
Audio tapes from 2xHD guarantees that ultimate quality is preserved from the original master recording on tape. For the recording on this tape, the original 1/4″ 15 ips NAB or CCIR master tapes were played on a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, wired with OCC silver cables from the playback head direct to a Nick Doshi tube head preamplifier. The Nagra-T, with its four direct drive motors, two pinch rollers and a tape tension head, is one of the best transports ever made. A customer-built carbon fiber head block and a head damping electronic system permit 2HD Fusion to obtain more transparency and better 3D imaging. Your copy was recorded on a Nagra iV-S 1/4″ at 15 ips.
The Tape Features:
- All-Analog recording, mixing & mastering
- Mastered by René Laflamme at 2xHD Mastering Lab on all Nagra equipment
- All original analog masters were played on a custom NAGRA T with tube Tapestage. Some tracks used EMT 240 Reverb Gold plate
- Audiophile tracks recorded on the legendary Nagra IV-S Tape Machine
- Produced by: René Laflamme & Matthieu Latour
Compatible Tape Recorders:
Below is a partial list of compatible reel-to-reel tape recorders, plus other reel tape recorders may be used as long as they have 15ips, 2 track playback capability, CCIR or NAB curve and 10.5" diameter reel spool capacity: 3M, Akai, Ampex 350, 351, 354, 440, MR70, ATR 100, 102, Ballfinger M063H1, M063H3, M063H5, M063H1IX, Crown, Denon, Fostex, Lyrec, Magnecord, Marantz, MCI, Mitsubishi, Nagra T, Nagra IV-S/QGB, Otari, Philips PRO35, PRO36, Pioneer RT707, Scully280, Shure, Sony, Stellavox, Studer B67, C37, A80, 810, A820, ReVox A77, C260, G36, PR99, Tandberg, Teac X2000, Tascam, Technics RS1500, Telefunken M5, M10, M12, M15, Thorens TM1600, United home audio and more.
Caring for Your Tape:
These simple procedures will help you enjoy the music for many years:
- Tape tail out! Tapes should always be stored ‘tail-out’ to prevent print-through
- Store in a dry place. The ideal environment is between 154C-26″C (59’F-78’F) and Relative Humidity of 45%-70%.
- Keep away from any magnetic field such as speakers
- Clean & demagnetize the heads regularly
- Before playback, please rewind the tape
- OpenReelToReel Hub cannot be responsible for any damage resulting from customer tape handling or defective machine
- Happy Listening and Feel The Warmth
The Tape Package: The package includes SM-900 RTM tape recorded at 15 ips in C.C.I.R. but also available in NAB Eq., on balanced alu reel spool manufactured by Feinwerktechnik allgäu GmbH in Germany and an elegant booklet.
Feel the Warmth by listening music on 2xHD Fusion Tape Albums - https://www.thesoundoftape.com
