From: utzoo!watmath!watcgl!dmmartindale
Newsgroups: net.records
Title: Re: Re:cassette tape
Article-I.D.: watcgl.80
Posted: Tue Dec 28 07:58:46 1982
Received: Tue Dec 28 08:04:50 1982
References: inuxc.564

While it's very true that cassette tapes will produce the best
performance on a deck that's been calibrated for that tape (cassette
tapes are particularly sensitive to being biased correctly) you don't
always have to buy the tape based on the way the deck is set up.  You
can have the deck set up for the particular brand of tape.  The place I
bought my cassette deck (plug:  Ring Audio in Toronto) tends to sell
the decks at or near list price, but when you buy the deck they check
its operation and set up all the internal record calibration trimpots
correctly for the 3 or 4 exact types of tape (one for each tape
selector switch position) that YOU specify.  And they do the whole
procedure again one and two years later, all for the original purchase
price.  For example, my deck is set up for BASF Ferro Super LH I, BASF
FeCr II, Maxell UDXLII, and TDK MA, so I can expect good performance
from each of those tapes at the appropriate settings.  I would expect
that the record bias levels, equalization, and record levels would be
wrong for any other type of tape.  Even if you have a front-panel bias
level control to play with, you still can't adjust EQ or record levels
to match another tape (unless with certain Nakamichi decks).
If the deck isn't set up for the tape you are using, you aren't getting
the best possible performance from the tape, and trying to match the tape
to the deck seems to be going about it backwards.  If you check around
the GOOD audio stores in your area, you might find one that provides the
same service.

	Dave Martindale