Tsr-8

  • Thread starter Thread starter Doc Holiday
  • Start date Start date
Doc Holiday

Doc Holiday

New member
Sorry in advance if this has been covered before. Is there a noticable difference in sound quality from a 488mkii to a TSR-8? How difficult is it to find tape for this machine?
 
Doc Holiday said:
Sorry in advance if this has been covered before. Is there a noticable difference in sound quality from a 488mkii to a TSR-8? How difficult is it to find tape for this machine?
Click to expand...

HUGE fidelity boost. The TSR-8 has wider tracks and faster tape transport = much more sound real estate can be placed onto magnetic particles of the tape. I think the top 488 speed is only 3 3/4 inches per sec (ips) while the TSR-8's is 15 ips. It also sports significantly wider tracks, 8 on 1/2" tape vs 8 on 1/8" tape (for the 488). The TSR-8 also sports more advanced electronics and dbx-1 noise reduction. All in all the TSR-8 is far a superior analog recorder to the 488 - you just can't compare as they're worlds appart. Additionally, the TSR-8 can sound great with or without dbx engaged but try that with the 488 and you will find more hiss and distortion than you can handle.

New Quantegy 1/2" tapes can easily be found in many online stores, ordered via local music stores and eBay. I believe the TSR-8 was factory set for Ampex (now Quantegy) 456 but, really, any of the Quantegy 400 series of tapes would work well like the 407, 406, 457 and 456.

~Daniel
 
The TSR-8 is a fantastic work horse machine, great sound, steady sound, very predictable and constant. I loved it when I had it.

If you can get the right tape for it (I used stock 456 for all my stuff) it will not let you down ever......the tape might suck sometimes, but the machine is great!
 
Stay away from used tape on ebay and elsewhere that is older then 1995 production stock as this will suffer from sticky shed syndrome.

Buy fresh, new stock and you won't have any problems.

The TSR-8 was factory set to work with 456 only. Other formulations may require a recalibration of the deck and because it is a two head machine only, doing this procedure will be difficult and time consuming to accomplish.

Stick with 456.

Cheers! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top