Home Critic's Corner

Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry.

My personal opinion and experiences differ from yours.

"I think what's really going on as you listen, is that you're more sensitive to some types of distortion and shortcomings than to others..."

Yes I would define that as how comfortable music feels which has always been the most important aspect to me. I like to have both high resolution and comfort but if I can't have both I prefer comfort as that is what helps me enjoy music.

I find cassettes more comfortable to listen to than even the best CDs. Their resolution is usually surpassed by reel to reel tapes, however I find it amazing how good those little 1 7/8 ips cassettes can sound when recorded on Metal and Chromium Dioxide tape. There are even a few instances when "real time" duplicated cassettes even surpass LPs (see below)

"Regarding real-time duplicating, this shows you lack of understanding of tape duplicating."

The best "real time" duplicated cassettes used a bank of high-end cassette decks instead of duplicators. In Sync Laboratories used a bank of Nakamichi 582 cassette decks and MFSL used a bank of JVC cassette decks, I actually got to see this one in action when I visited MFSL. Duplicators are used for slow speed and high speed duplication with the resulting losses but considerable savings in time thus such tapes can be sold at a lower price.

If you are missing high frequencies the cassette's azimuth is out of alignment, MFSL used to make a Geo-tape for this.

From my Cassette guide:
"Also make sure your playback head is aligned for excellent high frequency response. Unlike Reel to Reel even a slightly out of adjustment deck can cause mild to extreme high frequency losses. Obtain the service manual for your deck to locate the Playback Head Azimuth Alignment set screw. If you can get a test tape use it, if not use any cassette you have with excellent high frequency response and adjust it to sound the brightest or use recorded tape hiss and adjust it for the most hiss. After setting playback azimuth use something to set the screw to keep it from coming out of adjustment again such as Loctite. I went cheap and used clear nail polish and my azimuth is holding well."

THE MISSING LINK
Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished Colleagues
Sheffield Lab / Nakamichi Reference Recording RA-4S10

Real Time duplication from the Sheffield Analog Master tape onto 70us TDK Metal tape.
This is made from the Analog backup master made at the same time as the Direct to Disc. After hearing this I sold my Direct to Disc version as this audiophile cassette has more bass, more impact and the high frequencies are fully the equal of the great sounding Direct to Disc and the mid frequencies are virtually the same, the image is even bigger on the cassette. This is one of the most realistic sounding recordings in either format!

DÄFOS
Mickey Hart, Airto and Flora Purim
Rykodisc Analogue / World RACS 0108
70us Chrome - SPARS code: AAA

This wonderful cassette replaced my Reference Recordings 45 RPM LP, why? The cassette sounds even better with a fuller midrange and even more impact in the percussion instruments, the delicate high frequencies are every bit as good as the LP. Another reason is I don't like taking my platter off on my music hall mmf-5 to change the speed from 33 to 45. This is one of the best sounding LPs I've ever heard and the cassette on a Nakamichi deck is even better.




This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Parts Connexion  


Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups
  • My personal opinion and experiences differ from yours. - Teresa 09/6/1216:12:21 09/6/12 (0)

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.