Precision Playback starts with perfecting the Time base.
It’s common to believe that sound quality in analog audio tape playback is largely dependent on the audio signal path circuity.
Yet a more important criterion is maintaining an invariant time base. This is the job of a servo-controlled tape transport mechanism.
As tape travels through a transport, the most critical region for time base invariance is inside the headblock, where even the smallest velocity disturbance degrades audio fidelity.
Today’s powerful FFT signal analysis makes scientific tape transport qualification accessible and reveals that studio tape recorders cannot provide optimum playback quality.
Optimal headblock design is crucial. Using a three-head studio recorder as a cost-saving measure for playback is always a serious sonic compromise, yet an easily avoidable one.
Gentle on Tape
At the heart of our reproducers are the famed Studer A80 and A820 tape transport mechanisms. With no fixed lifter pins, no forced-guidance and no stationary guides, these servo-constant-tension transports are regarded world-wide as the most gentle on tapes.
Building on this foundation, ATAE single-head read-only (SHRO) headblocks can operate at one-half of normal tape tensions, a modification that can result in nearly eight times less abrasive wear to tapes than seen on any three-head recorder-reproducer.
Using neither forced-guidance or stationary guides, our headblock architecture practically eliminates high-band flutter (aka scrape flutter) yielding a further improvement in playback sound quality.
Modular for easy servicing or reconfiguration.
The furniture system for our flagship Model One and Model Two reproducers starts with a 24-inch panel-width welded-steel rack tower engineered to support 2000 pounds (900 kg). This foundation houses the inter-connected modular rack-mount electronic components.
Atop the rock-solid rack tower rests the tape transport mechanism in its own case. Every part of this furniture system is durable, industrial-grade. Yet the showroom quality finish makes it visually stunning.
The modular construction makes for vastly easier servicing. A power supply unit, logic and control module, playback amplifier, or the complete tape transport can be removed and exchanged in under five minutes, not five hours.
Transport Case
Sits atop the rack tower, placing the tape transport mechanism in the preferred horizontal orientation close to eye-level for safest tape loading.
Rack Tower
Securely houses the rack-mounted electronic components: the playback amplifier, logic and motor control unit and the power supply. A headblock storage drawer is optional.
Control Panel
Optimally placed in a sloped panel for operator control directly in front of the transport mechanism.