The case for Analog

[cjacek]

The biggest caveat right now is getting the sellers to ship without destroying the unit.

A very under-appreciated point. Thanks for bringing this up, Tim.

 

[cjacek]

IMO, The last ADAT will grind to a halt before the last reel-to-reel does, and the latter will be easier to restore. I will go through many more CPUs, RAM modules and hard drives before my TSR-8 is even broken-in. I bought it with about 99% head life remaining and I use it in my home studio just for my music. I dare say we will run out of oil and I'll be driving a hydrogen powered car before my TSR-8 and other decks stop serving me.

I am sincere when I say I will pass these machines down to my grandchildren

One of the most important cases for Analog.

....many pro machines were worn out in commercial environments... In contrast, a great many Tascam, Fostex, and Otari machines were bought by home recordists that fell short of completing their musical pursuits. They were used in homes by individuals that ultimately moved on to other interests, just like what we see happening today.

One of the most important cases for going with something like a TASCAM over the pro machines.

There is no going back to digital, and no reason to.

This still holds true for those who have done the digital thing, started not too long ago in music and then went over to Analog.

 

[MCI2424]

I am sincere when I say I will pass these machines down to my grandchildren along with my grandfathers's 100-year-old Iver Johson shotgun, which is also in perfect operating condition.....

Tim

I will shed some light from my experience. I am re-capping my entire MCI 2" 24 tracl machine. The electros cost $250.

I made a list and checked it twice. I went to Digikey and found that these caps are made by 1 company now (reasonably priced). I got them (panasonic FMs). The other companies are friggin expensive. My deck requires over 1000 electrolytic caps.

These caps will not be made forever. They are on the endangered list.

The life of the caps made in the 70-80s were 10 years. Far less if the machine is powered off (worst case for these caps).

Get a total re-cap kit together and order now. The new caps are better and will last like 20 years. Surface mount is here (like digital recording) to stay and these caps will be gone soon.

Oh well..........off to soldering. It will be a month or so of boring work.
24 channels (4 borads per) = 96 cards
Power supplies (2)
5 other transport boards
Great fun.

 

[Beck]

I will shed some light from my experience. I am re-capping my entire MCI 2" 24 tracl machine. The electros cost $250.

I made a list and checked it twice. I went to Digikey and found that these caps are made by 1 company now (reasonably priced). I got them (panasonic FMs). The other companies are friggin expensive. My deck requires over 1000 electrolytic caps.

These caps will not be made forever. They are on the endangered list.

The life of the caps made in the 70-80s were 10 years. Far less if the machine is powered off (worst case for these caps).

Get a total re-cap kit together and order now. The new caps are better and will last like 20 years. Surface mount is here (like digital recording) to stay and these caps will be gone soon.

Oh well..........off to soldering. It will be a month or so of boring work.
24 channels (4 borads per) = 96 cards
Power supplies (2)
5 other transport boards
Great fun.

Aye, I’ve replaced many a bad cap, and will likely replace many more. The good news is the type and quality of replacements is far superior to those on the cost-cutting mass assembly lines where most of our equipment started. Another funny thing is caps are so inconsistent. Yeah, 10 – 15 years seems about right, statistically speaking. But then those 30-year-old devices that just keep on ticking. Relatively few pieces that I own have needed any caps replaced... knock on wood...

Tim