What is the different between Fostex E16 and B16 ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gilwe
  • Start date Start date
The thing is that after checking out a Tascam MSR16 and a Fostex E16 which were in rather bad condition, now I'm coming across a Fostex B16 which is "supposed" to be in a good condition.

But I'm not sure this is the one I should get. I already found that it is not direct driven, which doesn't sound like a professional option to me. Also from a little read I did here, I found that the B16 sounds not as good as the E16. My choice in general is a Fostex as I have been working with the M80 for a few years (the 8 track version of the E16) and found it's sound really great (warm, fat).
 
I used to own a B16 and it sounded ok but I kept hearing oscillation from time to time so I moved on and bought a E16.
I love my E16 but keep in mind parts are outrageously expensive when it comes time to fix it.I had to replace the capstan motor and it costs me like $800.00 installed.Mind you, I paid $750.00 for the E16 so it costs me more to fix it than what I paid for it.I had a couple projects going and it was either fix it and keep going or buy another machine and start over because very seldom will you get a tape to play right on another machine.Regardless, the E16 was in excellent shape otherwise so I bit the bullet and fixed it. Definately go with a E16 it's a much better machine than the B16.Wait until you can get your hands on a nice one....
 
Thanks,

I decided not to go for a B16. I'm gonna keep waiting till I come across a barely used direct drive MSR16 or E16. Sure there's no point buying a well used machine and than looking for parts for it.
 
Another machine you should try to locate is the G16S.That replaced the E16.Be aware that there's 2 G16 models.One has dolby C NR and than there's the Dolby S model.When my E16 broke down I had a chance to get the S model locally but for the cost of the machine plus more than likely the G16 was going to need repairs in the future and having to start all the projects over from scratch I decided to breath new life in my E16.About 2 months after I repaired my machine another buddy of mine offered me a tascam ms16 1" R/R.I love that machine but considering I'm on a limited budget and I couldn't see selling my E16 which IMHO is practically new now buying the MS16 and having to sink $$$$ to keep it running was not really much of an option.
 
Yeah! get the Studer, a pinch roller costs but $850.

Two inch machines sound awesome, but parts are E X P E N S I V E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And so is tape, $190 for sixteen minutes at 30 ips
 
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