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hagtech wrote:

That's a fine looking analog rig you got there.  Glad to see you switched to tape instead of other belts.  My friends at Galibier and Redpoint are really into it.  They say the taller the tape, the better.  I believe they are using VCR tape, but their experiments have shown 1" tape to perform best.  Just far more prone to destruction (sort of non-intuitive). I once suggested to see if they could get a pattern printed on it, like zebra stripes.  You could then use it as an rpm strobe.

I do not know about the tape vs. belt debate. I personally do like belt better but purely intellectually, as I was not able to see any difference in sound or stability between tape and belt (in context of 38”). With both: tape and belt the stability of the spinning is way beyond what might be critically measurable.

What I do not like about tape that it “sings”. When I have a long run of tape and if I put my ear I the muddle of the open space, very-very close to it, then I can hear how the tape produces a HF sound. It is very minor and it is completely not auditable or effective to the actual sound that I am getting out of loudspeakers; however a belt does not have this singing effect. The only reason why I do not use a belt is because I do not have a good quality 83” rubber belt.

I did try the cassette tape and did not like it. Probably your friend if correct and the wider tape will be better. I do not know, also my motor’s pulley will not drive the VCR tape. I stick for a time being with the regular tape; however I am theoretically would go now for the older version of tape (Russians called it Type 2 of Type 6 and I’m sure that West had the same). Very long time ago people used the tape that wasn’t based upon a “cellophane” core and wasn’t elastic. It did not stretch but cracked and ruptured. I think it would be better because it was slightly heavier that might do better in case of the “singing” that I mentioned above. Anyhow, this all become too anal retentive and I feel that it servers very little purpose besides the perusing an intangible perfection juts for sake of the gratuitous perfection. I’m sure if the platters would be lighter then it would be more vital but in my case I do not feel that I should really worry about.

The zebra stripes on the platter’s sides? Well, it only if one listens the Led Zeppelin and alike! I personally hate to see equipment when it plays Music and I would rather to spray-paint everything in black to have it completely invisible… Well, I’m slowly going there BTW  :-)

Rgs,
Romy

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