Richard, Thanks for the stern warning. I probably wasn't too clear in my original posting about the details behind my question (it was late and I was tired, plus my home computer tends to have trouble sending e-mails that take more than a few minutes to compose). I am not planning on using this in any connection with archival materials that have any significance other than personal and sentimental. In other words, old reels of myself and other family members (and my wife's too - the Tandberg was probably what many of the tapes were recorded on by her late father 30 years ago). I am basically trying to decide whether to use it or try to sell it (I've seen a price of $300 on the net) and use the money as a downpayment on a halfway-decent, non-state-of -the-art deck. Sounds like I'm better off taking the latter route, even if I end up unloading the deck for $50 at a flea market. Thanks again, Peter Hirsch Head Archivist ("non-techie") for Music and Recorded Sound Wilson Processing Project The New York Public Library [log in to unmask] 521 West 43rd Street New York, New York 10036 (212) 714-8570 (212) 714-8508 - fax <Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 21:46:05 -0800 <From: "Richard L. Hess" <[log in to unmask]> <Subject: Re: Tandberg 6000X Tape Deck < <At 10:19 PM 11/17/2003 -0500, digest Peter Hirsch wrote: < <>My question is regarding the Tandberg 6000X Stereo tape deck. Is this the <>sort of unit that one can play back audio tapes decently enough to transfer <>to another, more stable format? < <In a word: NO < <If this is the machine: http://www.nrhf.no/TB-6000X.html < <NO < <These machines are at the best fussy and at the worst don't work well. They <are a mechanical kludge and the transports really don't handle tape that well. < <It seems that the eBay prices are creeping up on pro tape recorders again, <but we've seen Studer and Sony APR pro machines go for $500 or less. < <There are Japanese 3-motor recorders that sell for $300-500, or you can <find ReVox B77s for that price range. < <The Tandberg on the link I found is a one-motor deck that uses a friction <tape holdback that is very fussy. < <Just my opinion (shared by others). < <My Tandberg 3500X is on long-term loan to a friend. I never thought it <handled tape nearly as well as a Sony APR-5003V. < <If these are important tapes, they deserve to be transferred via a pro <machine. Once you do it, you'll never do it again. < <I've beat my head against this wall and I'm hoping you won't have to. < <Where are you located? If you're in the LA area and would like to lease a <Studer A807 for a few months, please let me know. < <Cheers, < <Richard