Precision Playback Systems for Analog Master Tapes
Since 1987
If you want to build today's best tape playback machines, you might start by studying the finest tape recorders ever made. Studer's legendary A80 saw eighteen years of continuous production (1969 - 1987). Visit our History page for more background.
Adolph Thal Audio Engineering builds modern analog magnetic audio tape reproducers optimized for archival transfer, restoration, and critical listening applications. Our reproducers are based on the legendary Studer A80 and A820 tape transport mechanisms, which we exactingly re-manufacture in our own facility.
Focused on Playback
ATAE Model One and Model Two reproducers are designed around the requirements of uncompromisingly accurate sonic reproduction and responsible heritage master tape conservation.
Playback Optimization
ATAE reproducers are dedicated playback platforms designed to recover the maximum amount of information from analog master recordings.
Preservation-Oriented
Transport modifications are engineered to dramatically reduce unnecessary tape stress and support future playback of aging archival media.
Studer-Based Systems
Built upon the legendary Swiss-manufactured Studer A80 and A820 platforms, with our specialized mechanical and electronic upgrades developed through decades of refinement.
Uncompromised Playback Quality
Over nearly four decades of continuous mechanical and mechatronic refinement and on-going evolution of analog magnetic audio tape playback electronics, ATAE has steadily improved the sonic accuracy of audio tape reproduction. Our famous, exactingly re-manufactured, high-precision Studer A80 transports today deliver the lowest time-base distortion of any analog magnetic audio tape transport ever sold. Fitted with our SHRO head blocks with calibrated azimuth adjustment and your choice of playback electronics, the ATAE Model Two delivers the highest obtainable quality of sonic reproduction for the most critical archival transfer and restoration workflows.
What Professionals Say
"It is only because of the meticulous services of Adolph Friederich (“Fred”) Thal of ATAE that we've been able to remanufacture our Studer A820 machines into ATAE reproducers with their precision SHRO headblocks, calibrated azimuth adjusters and audiophile quality tape head preamps."
Eric Jacobs — The Audio Archive
"Fred Thal is among the most knowledgeable individuals I know when it comes to analog tape recording and reproduction."
Mark Waldrep, PhD — Audio Technology Educator and Author
"Fred Thal of ATAE is the world's expert on Studer tape machines."
Gearspace Forum