Ampex/Quantegy 406/407 Mastering Tape?

[RandyRhoads1981]

I see that Quantegy is still selling some types of tape in certain formats.
The only 1" Tape they are selling is 406/407.
It is a REALLY good price and it says Bias Compatible to 456.
Does the 406/407 operate at +6db or +3db?
How's the performance? Is it like 456?
I see several new 1" 407 Reels on Ebay, should I snatch them up?

 

[hilltop studios]

Randy,
I have been using 406 on my MS16 and like it very much. It is bias compatible to 456. Check out this link. I have purchased a few pancakes from them and their shipping is fast and items have been packed very well. Regards, Dave

406 1 in x 2500’ pancake hub [40657213Y] : reel deal pro audio .::. keeping the analog alive

 

[RandyRhoads1981]

Randy,
I have been using 406 on my MS16 and like it very much. It is bias compatible to 456. Check out this link. I have purchased a few pancakes from them and their shipping is fast and items have been packed very well. Regards, Dave

406 1 in x 2500’ pancake hub [40657213Y] : reel deal pro audio .::. keeping the analog alive

Awesome! That's the exact experience I was looking for.
Someone with an MS-16 who has used this type of tape.
Do you know the Operating Level of the Tape?
Or does Bias Compatible mean it is the same?
Thanks a lot.
1" Ampex/Quantegy 456 is getting so hard to find nowadays
so it seems like a good idea to switch to a Tape that still
in production and is less expensive but still good quality.
By the way, along with ReelDealAudio.com, Quantegy
still sells the new 1" 406/7 with Reel and TapeCare box.
Relatively inexpensive as well.
Thanks again,
Tom

 

[Blue Jinn]

406 is a +3 (250nW/m) recommended max operating level. I've used it on my 1/2" 38. Same bias as 456. Note, AFAIK Reeldealpa bought up the Quategy stock from when they went out of business. The other stuff on Quantegy.com AFAIK is NOS that the owners still have left. They've been promising to bring it back, but that website hasn't changed in easily 18 months.

 

[RandyRhoads1981]

406 is a +3 (250nW/m) recommended max operating level. I've used it on my 1/2" 38. Same bias as 456. Note, AFAIK Reeldealpa bought up the Quategy stock from when they went out of business. The other stuff on Quantegy.com AFAIK is NOS that the owners still have left. They've been promising to bring it back, but that website hasn't changed in easily 18 months.

I've been praying that Quantegy brings Analog Tape back.
Since the 406 is the budget version of 456, what is
the difference or downside to the tape?

 

[jpmorris]

406 was from 1970. 456 was introduced in 1974 or so. I'm not sure what the other differences are besides +3 vs +6. 407 is 406 with a thinner backing, FYI. You may already know that.


EDIT:

This has some fascinating insight into how Quantegy produced their tape:
http://www.interstage.dk/Sider/Produkter/Presse/Produkter/Quantegy_Tape/Quantegy_tape_PRE.shtml

 

[Beck]

Yep, 406 and 407 are great tapes. They’re technically +3 category, but you can push them a little and they sound great. They were/are popular for mastering. As +3 tapes go they’re on the high-output side, a little hotter than Maxell 35-xxB. A lot of people like them better than 456/457. I’m always surprised to see people bidding crazy dollars on 456 and yet passing on new 406/407 on eBay. Speaking of which there’s a lot more great tape being overlooked like AGFA PEM468 and BASF/EMTEC SM468 (same tape, different companies over the years). And 3M/Scotch 206/207 is one of the best out there.