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Bud wrote:

My first choice would be a Sony SACD recorder with storage in SACD format. Quite expensive, but I would not use an expensive Sony playback device. Their early models (still available new on ebay) were designed to show how much better than regular CD the SACD format was. Means they really spent some time perfecting the circuits for SACD and then did a terrible job for CD's. My favorite is the DVP-NS755v for about $200. All of the tape formats have drawbacks. Even a Nak has trouble with full orchestral performances. Not the signal recording but the print through problems. I have NAK tapes that are 15 years old and are almost unlistenable, even though they were recorded on 3M metafine tape. Reel to Reel is still the best format but the bulkiness and hassle of dealing with such a large format and the physical alignment wandering issues are always a concern. Having said that, I am currently rebuilding an Akai Model 8, using a motor platten from the last of that series that incorporates outer reel motors for tension, also am installing Sony 1/4 and 1/2 track heads, no recording ability, and refurbishing the tube preamp / amps into preamp only devices. All to play Barclay Crocker tapes of some of the finest musical evants ever recorded. But, I will be unable to record at all. I have limited experiance with DAT but found the two I tried to be full of noise and jitter issues. These were made by Adat and Teac so perhaps there are others, but their PCM format is still early days red book and so of suspect ability. A full size computer box using PCI buss Creative audio cards, NERO software, SCSI based Yamaha CD burner, etc. might just be the best way. I know people who can build incredible front ends for input control of signal, although, a very good transformer volume control from friend Thorstens highly regarded S&B people might be best. Then you could open a not for profit subscription service, for equitment maintenance and media / time costs only, and provide copies to some of the goodsound club "inner sanctum" members and then we who have no access to live, FM broadcasts could join in your joy.......... yikes ..duck and run!!!! Bud

Actually what you are saing is very much relates with you I feel. My NaK CR7 was wonderful but I would in a way agree that it chocked with large orchestral peaces. I could not say more precisely as it was many years back when my taste and demand were way off but since you mention it I think I could relate to it, as I have the same subjective reminiscences.  Also, I remember that in 1998 or something like this when the first Sony SACD machines were only about to heat the market I was given a demo of SACD played directly form the original hard-drive and recorded via the original “conceptual” DSD AD-DA processors. It was phenomenal and it was the only time when I heard a good performing DSD. Of course since then no one make good DSD converters…. And the SACD as it und up turn out to be a crap. Still, I’m sure that even if I dig the original pro DSD processor then, although it might do good sound, but I do not know if it will be able to be transparent to something that distinct my FM form my LP ….

It is interesting: I spoke today with some people and I do VERY seriously consider now the idea of a high quality digital storage now. If to play it form a hard drive without and CDs and quality a good quality AD/DA then it might be very different then what we usually expect from CD format. In the good side it will have unlimited storage and will not force me to change 12 reels during recording of one opera broadcast. It dose sounds very interesting… Any advise for any AD converted that I might try?

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