On Jan 22, 2008, at 2:16 PM, phillip holmes wrote: > The Technics (the one Tom mentions) is the way to go. For better > sound, keep the Technics and use nicer/better electronics and maybe > custom heads. That Technics transport is super gentle and it's got > good looks. Also, the Technics turntables are still state-of-the- > art when combined with a good plinth and tonearm. Matsushita put > way more money/time/engineering into those products than any high- > end audio garage outfit will be able to do (or Ampex for that > matter). I'm not saying there aren't other great tape decks and > turntables (or that Ampex engineers sucked). What I am saying is > that if you want a great machine for your home, the Technics is the > way to go. I've had a Technics RS1500US for a number of years. It's one of several decks that I own and while I have very limited experience with ATR 100s, MR70s, Studer A80-812-820s, it still doesn't prevent me from lusting after one. That said, there's very little that I haven't modified on my 1500. The major one has been wiring the heads directly to output and using a custom, tube playback amp..I have Greg Orton from Fux Magnetics, building a pair of custom heads( 1/2 track 15ips and 1/4 track 7.5ips) that he'll be installing in my headblock in a couple of weeks. Personally, I'd love to get an A80 and give it this same sort of treatment. But until I feel satisfied that I've wrung every last bit of performance out of the Technics, I'll wait. The only way that I can "know" that every adjustment or modification is "spot on" is if I do it myself (it certainly helps that I enjoy this kind of self torture). The combination of my deck and the Tape Projects master dubs would be pretty hard to beat. I have a couple of friends that have what would currently be considered among the best sounding digital playback front-ends (EMM Labs transports/Dac) and they are shocked how much better my tapes sound than their SACDs. These comparisons are done with their systems. BTW Bruce, I was glad to see your name here. I still miss your newsletter.