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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!hao!hplabs!hp-pcd!uoregon!uo-vax1!gregs
From: gregs@uo-vax1.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: Some Thoughts on Cassettes - (nf)
Message-ID: <4339@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 21-Jan-84 03:44:21 EST
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.4339
Posted: Sat Jan 21 03:44:21 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Jan-84 23:03:34 EST
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Organization: University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
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#R:whuxj:-7800:uo-vax1:31400001:000:1571
uo-vax1!gregs    Jan 19 09:47:00 1984

I have had similar problems with Maxell tapes over a period of 4-5 years.
One tape I had simply deteriorated in its ability to hold high frequencies
(~15K) for more than a few seconds.  The tape would sound fine when played
back immediately by the playback head during recording, but upon rewinding
and playing it back again, the high end "wavered" in and out as much as 10 dB.

I sent the tape back to Maxell and they sent me a new one, with a test sheet
for the old tape.  They recognized the problem, no questions asked.

I mainly use TDK SA-X now (better than SA I have found, by 2-3 dB in high
end and 1-2 dB in low), but almost all of my old SAs (up to 8 years) now
squeak quite loudly when rewinding, and some while playing.  Naturally, what's
on those tapes is irreplacable, so I can't send them back.

I have had nothing but bad luck with commercially prerecorded tapes.  I've
never bought one, I've just listened to friends' tapes.  I hear rumors that
the quality is improving, but haven't experienced it myself.

I have yet to try a Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab tape, but I hear they're 
quite good!  I saw a picture of a wall of Nakamichi 582s doing the recording.

I'm not a fan of open-reel, simply because it looks like too much trouble
to load the tape, and I get such fantastic response on my cassette deck.
However, cassettes just won't do for archival storage.  I am curious 
whether any open-reel owners have ever experienced what I have with the
Maxell tape on their reels.

------
Greg Stewart
University of Oregon
hplabs!hp-pcd!uoregon!uo-vax1!gregs