Hi Shai,
You have an interesting history with Scotch 206 as mine is
just the opposite. I have found over time that 206 is one of the more stable
formulations I’ve come across. I have encountered some oxide flaking with
206/207 but that has been with tapes recorded in the late 1960’s and then the
worst of it being the very outside wraps, usually not affecting the recording.
I’ve had worse flaking problems with earlier acetate tapes.
Although there is a considerable geographic separation
between us (you are in Tel Aviv, Israel
and I’m in Southern California, USA)
I would think that our climates are very similar. So, perhaps the difference is
storage conditions.
Cheers!
Corey
Corey Bailey Audio Engineering
http://www.baileyzone.net
________________________________
From: Shai Drori <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Saturday, March 9, 2013 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] What's the best Scotch reel to reel tape ever??? UPDATED QUESTION!
My experience with the 206 is really bad. Total flaking off of the emulsion. The Maxell XLI have been playing like new for the past 30 years so I guess they will last. Tdk LX have been wonderful and has the Memorex ATR. Surprisingly good sound for cheap tapes. Don't forget to align your recorder.
Shai
בתאריך 09/03/13 7:20 PM, ציטוט Richard L. Hess:
> In my experience, Scotch 206 is starting to get stiff, but is otherwise OK, but it was last made in the 1970s, I think. Scotch 250 which was a wonderful tape and I've recovered many albums off of it was noted at the time for having more print-through, I recall hearing, but it, like most other back-coated mastering tapes from Ampex and 3M (206/207 being the major exception) often needs to be baked before use.
>
> I have a bunch of Maxell UD35 that holds some of my best recordings and I am happy with how well it has lasted. UD50 seemed to start getting slightly stiff. I think Scott Dorsey bought 20 pancakes of UD50 from me a while ago. How's it aging, Scott?
>
> I have little experience with the back-coated Maxell. While I used Maxell, it seems from what I get in that most people used Ampex mastering tape followed by Scotch/3M and then Agfa and some BASF. BASF 911 has been pretty good of the recent tapes, but it has had some shedding as well.
>
> Again, I really think this is overall a bad idea for even a hobby unless there is some specific need to demonstrate the old technology or some purist thing where you can say "never touched by digital". If you are going to that effort and have the budget, then the ATR Magnetics tape would most likely be the best choice, but it is hugely expensive.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Richard
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