Sunday, September 16, 2018

How does the Sony TCM-280 sound like?


Latter addition (1810). After re listening to 1/4in tape running at 7.5ips, real instruments recorded either from Ferrograph series 6 or Uher 4200 and seeing relevant dreams Pleiades experiments with cassettes are abandoned. What a sound. The recording medium to be used will be possibly BASF SM611 1/4in tape.


One of the most beautiful cassete corders.


It sounded noisy. Motor, servo buzz can be heard at almost any volume setting. Possibly due to decoupling capacitors having deteriorated.


Feeding it at mic in with the Pleiades V1 there was a buzz intermodulation. The problem was solved by connecting an output transformer between V1 and TCM-280. Sound was nice. But there was still some motor noise problem.


Also sound can be harsh and the s may be too sibilant.


No matter how it sounds it still sounds much more immediate or realistic than digital. It's immediacy can may one wonder if that realistic sound had come from something happening in the room rather than coming from the tiny speaker.


The internal mic was tied on these tests.


Also an external Sony F-96.


As well as a Sennheiser MD21 HN microphone feeding the Pleiades V6 terminated by a Canford Neutrik red output transformer inside a 1/4in jack.


So far the best cassete decks tried are the Marantz CP-430 and the Sony TC-D5 series fed by Pleiades mic boosters.


Nevertheless and having listened to a Uher 4200 report and a Ferrograph Series 6 electron tube reel to reel as well as a Sears Silvertone 5240 all running at 7.5ips, and after seeing a relevant dream it is felt that reel to reel class is another world. The high frequencies are so smooth and nice. Perhaps cassette would sound as well too at higher speed and descrete class A (electrons flowing all the time) electronics. Some older Sony, Sanyo or JVC cassette recorders even portable mono may do the trick but they still run at the specified low speed.


It is possible that Pleiades cassette experiments are coming to an end.


Reel to reel.


Face to Face.


Heart to Heart.


Fact to Face - the Twins
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6MsBue8ty34#fauxfullscreen







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