[net.audio] Tape switching and signal processing

wmartin (10/21/82)

I am soliciting comments and suggestions regarding add-on tape switching
units, to be used with a Hafler preamp. Though I have been looking at
literature on such devices for some years now, I have never bought one.
My reasons have been:
1) Unsure if a particular product will perform the functions I want.
2) Wariness about the internal quality, both the sonic effects of the
   switches used and the reliability over years of use.
3) Cost considerations; my total cost will not only be the cost of the
unit, but the added cost of at least one more set of high-quality
cables to connect it (I use a mix of Fultons, Audio-Technica 620's,
and a few other brands).

What I want to do is hook up two reel-to-reel decks and two cassette
decks, so that I can dub between any of these, or play a tape on
any to be listened to via the Hafler.  That part is simple; many units
would do that. My problem is that I have an add-on Dolby unit (Teac AN-180)
which I want to use with either of the reel-to-reel decks without
reconfiguring cabling. Both cassette decks have built-in Dolby; I do
not want their signals processed by the Dolby unit. I only want the
Dolby box inserted into the signal path (both ways) for which ever
reel-to-reel unit I choose at the moment.

The only thing I ever saw advertised which might do what I want was
a switching matrix device made by (I think) a company called "Niles"
(my info is at home, sorry). Anybody ever have one of these, or anything
else which would do what I want? I solicit reviews or evaluations,
especially in regard to sonic quality and reliability. I did have the
Hafler's tape switch bank replaced (under warranty, luckily) after
it failed mechanically. I accept its level of sonic effect, but,
after investing in fancy cables, hesitate to introduce low-quality
switching to interconnect all the expensive cabling.

It may be that I cannot find a switch box which will do what I want
with the single Dolby unit. I would consider buying a second Dolby
box for the other reel-to-reel machine. I would be even more interested
in a signal-processing box which would have Dolby AND dbx processing
in the same unit, so that I can use it to play existing Dolbyized tapes
or make new ones, and also begin making and playing dbx-encoded tapes (if
it decoded dbx discs, that would be an added benefit, but that isn't
important, as I have no dbx-encoded discs now). However, I know of no
such combination unit. 

Add-on signal-processing for tape is pretty sparse now, with the relative
decline of open-reel and ascendancy of cassette machines, which have all
the processing built-in. There is a lot of professional processing gear,
but consumer-level devices are few and far between. Used gear is a
possibility, but raises issues of repair and calibration I'd avoid
unless absolutely necessary.

Anyhow, comments and discussions encouraged on these and related topics.

Regards, Will Martin

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