As of four days ago, my tascam 38 was in the shop for an unknown length of time, and I had an album to finish within the month. I had decided not to buy any more tape decks from ebay after a couple of complete disasters, but I saw a really legitimate looking TSR-8 with a new reel of tape and spare head assembly (including spare heads) for $450, and I was pretty desperate, so I bought it. Luckily, it arrived in absolutely perfect condition after shipping, and what's more, it's obviously been immaculately cared for. Not a spot of dust or blemish on it, transport is smooth as silk- a rare find for ebay to say the least.
Coincidentally, the 38 ended up only having a minor problem, and I got it back today. I decided to do a little bit of comparison, and I was totally shocked at the results. I recorded an accoustic guitar through a large diaphragm condenser to both the 38 and the TSR-8 (DBX off) on RMG SM911, and faded between the two after making sure they were at the same volume. There's no doubt about it- the TSR-8 sounds better, and by more than a little. The first thing I noticed was that the high end was a little smoother and significantly clearer, but as I listened more carefully it became evident that the TSR-8 had a... depth? I guess that the 38 completely lacked.
So my question, for anyone who has experience with both machines: (beck?)
Is it supposed to be like this? My 38 is maybe a decade older than my TSR-8, and doesn't seem to have been maintained very carefully before I got it, but then on the other hand I have had a lot of work done on it (heads recently lapped, solder joints all checked, etc.) and I'm meticulous about caring for and cleaning it, so it's currently in great shape. Are the electronics in the TSR-8 just better than those in the 38? Or is there something else going on here?
Also, I think I've officially cought the bug. When I started visiting this forum a year ago I had just bought a single 4-track with the intention of using it as a front-end for a DAW, and now I've got an all analog setup including two 1/2" 8-tracks, a 1/4" 4-track, and a 1/4" 2 track.
Coincidentally, the 38 ended up only having a minor problem, and I got it back today. I decided to do a little bit of comparison, and I was totally shocked at the results. I recorded an accoustic guitar through a large diaphragm condenser to both the 38 and the TSR-8 (DBX off) on RMG SM911, and faded between the two after making sure they were at the same volume. There's no doubt about it- the TSR-8 sounds better, and by more than a little. The first thing I noticed was that the high end was a little smoother and significantly clearer, but as I listened more carefully it became evident that the TSR-8 had a... depth? I guess that the 38 completely lacked.
So my question, for anyone who has experience with both machines: (beck?)
Is it supposed to be like this? My 38 is maybe a decade older than my TSR-8, and doesn't seem to have been maintained very carefully before I got it, but then on the other hand I have had a lot of work done on it (heads recently lapped, solder joints all checked, etc.) and I'm meticulous about caring for and cleaning it, so it's currently in great shape. Are the electronics in the TSR-8 just better than those in the 38? Or is there something else going on here?
Also, I think I've officially cought the bug. When I started visiting this forum a year ago I had just bought a single 4-track with the intention of using it as a front-end for a DAW, and now I've got an all analog setup including two 1/2" 8-tracks, a 1/4" 4-track, and a 1/4" 2 track.