Best CrO2 tape currently available?

[Erich]

I have about 20 TDK MA-XG Type IV tapes with the metal frames and clear plastic bodies. I would like to use these in my Pioneer CT-F1000 which has no setting for Type IV (Metal) tape.

So.... I would like to open the cassette shells, remove the original Metal tape and install new CrO2 tape.

What is the best CrO2 tape currently in production/available? I really have no idea if there is even much of a selection left these days.

[ccheath]

You gotta be kiddin'!!:yikes: I'd leave the metal tape in and get another machine. :yes:

[Erich]

No, not kidding. Just got the Pioneer and I don't have a machine that will play Metal tapes and no plans to get one either. What can I say? I just love the Pioneer CT-F1000.

You gotta be kiddin'!!:yikes: I'd leave the metal tape in and get another machine. :yes:

[AltecDarpa]

umm, why ruin good metal tapes, just buy some Cr02 tapes and use those, they wont sound better in another tapes case.

[EchoWars]

Someone would LOVE those metal tapes (like me). Don't mess 'em up.

[ccheath]

Someone would LOVE those metal tapes (like me). Don't mess 'em up.

+1:yes:

[AnalogDigit]

Why don't you make a trade with someone that has CR02 tape and would like Metal tape?

[Chazb11]

I think the idea is that he likes the look of the metal frame cassettes.

I use Denon tapes. They work good for me and look very nice even though they have no metal frame.

http://www.adelcom.net/DenonTape.htm

[NYListens]

Jeez, go to a thrift and pick up a tape player that can play metal tapes for $10-20. They are practically giving those things away these days. Use the one you love for everything but the metal tapes.

[bordeno]

Well, I'll actually answer your question. The best chrome tape currently available is vintage TDK SA or SA-X from the early eighties, but you might have to do a little searching. The tape is far thicker and more durable than anything made recently, and sounds as good or better. Erase first before recording. They're also virtually indestructible, I have lots recorded 25 years ago or so that sound as good as the day they were made.

Long live the cassette.

[Twenty20Man]

you can also get new TDK SA's the sound is excellent..the build quality i dont know yet. but they are cost effective

[Erich]

Thanks for the replies. I think some of you missed what I'm wanting to do, but not all :-)

I don't want another tape deck or one that plays Metal tapes. Certainly I would be happy if the CT-F1000 had a Metal setting but it does not. I want to use the Metal tapes because of the metal body and quality plastic. Well made, nice and rigid and looks good. I also appreciate the "reuseable" record protect tabs.

These tapes I have are not virgin tapes still in sealed packaging or anything like that. Although they also have not had that much use either. I can remove the tape reels and "store" them in another cassette body if I ever would want to put them back in the original shells.

[Mark W.]

go on eBay and search for TDK SA or SA-X You can find them new unopened.

[Erich]

Thanks. I see that Maxell XLII's seem to be much cheaper than TDK SA-X. Is the SA-X in another league from the Maxell?

go on eBay and search for TDK SA or SA-X You can find them new unopened.

[Arkay]

Someone would LOVE those metal tapes (like me). Don't mess 'em up.

+2... but I understand what you are trying to do.

Plenty of us would be glad to swap some TDK or Maxell CrO2 tapes for your metal ones, perhaps even unopened ones for your used ones, but that wouldn't serve your objectives of keeping/using the cases. [Sigh...:sigh:]

To answer your question, I prefer the TDK SA-X tapes to the others, including the Maxells, which are a very close second. Some people on tape forums prefer the Maxells, though, so I guess it is a matter of your listening preferences, or perhaps synergy with your deck. People favor different tapes they way they favor Marantz or Sansui or Pioneer receivers. :D

The regular SA tape is not quite as good as the SA-X, but it is also very good-sounding in its own right, and was in production (I think perhaps it still is?) well after they stopped making the SA-X, so it is a lot easier to find.

[Erich]

Thanks for your well thought-out and considerate reply.

I view it kind of like sticking a Maserati engine in a Ferrari. Maybe not right, but not an abomination either. And again, if I do it carefully, it's all reversible.


+2... but I understand what you are trying to do.

Plenty of us would be glad to swap some TDK or Maxell CrO2 tapes for your metal ones, perhaps even unopened ones for your used ones, but that wouldn't serve your objectives of keeping/using the cases. [Sigh...:sigh:]

To answer your question, I prefer the TDK SA-X tapes to the others, including the Maxells, which are a very close second. Some people on tape forums prefer the Maxells, though, so I guess it is a matter of your listening preferences, or perhaps synergy with your deck. People favor different tapes they way they favor Marantz or Sansui or Pioneer receivers. :D

The regular SA tape is not quite as good as the SA-X, but it is also very good-sounding in its own right, and was in production (I think perhaps it still is?) well after they stopped making the SA-X, so it is a lot easier to find.

[pustelniakr]

TDK HX-S tapes are a metal formulation that operate in a Type II (CR02) configuration. Just about the very best CRO2 tape ever made.

Now to the metal tapes...if you have a friend with a calibrated metal-capable tape deck, you can record yourmusic on his machine, then play them back on your CT-F1000. The difference is in bias setting during recording. Playback equalization is the same between metal and CRO2. Do not buy the press about metal tapes being harder on heads than other tape types. The difference is insignificant.

Enjoy,
Rich P

[niklasthedol]

TDK HX-S tapes are a metal formulation that operate in a Type II (CR02) configuration. Just about the very best CRO2 tape ever made.

Now to the metal tapes...if you have a friend with a calibrated metal-capable tape deck, you can record yourmusic on his machine, then play them back on your CT-F1000. The difference is in bias setting during recording. Playback equalization is the same between metal and CRO2. Do not buy the press about metal tapes being harder on heads than other tape types. The difference is insignificant.

Enjoy,
Rich P

I would not recommend that because tape heads in the pre-metal-tape era will be extremely quickly worn down playing back Metal tape formulations.

"dolph"

[BrocLuno]

I have a question - do you want Type II tape or the much rarer Type III (real Chrome Tape). Since I sold my Pioneer, I can't see what the settings are?

[ccheath]

Type III is FeCr (Ferric Chrome). Mix of normal and chrome in one tape.

1. Normal
2. Chrome
3. FeCr
4. Metal

[niklasthedol]

I have a question - do you want Type II tape or the much rarer Type III (real Chrome Tape). Since I sold my Pioneer, I can't see what the settings are?

Type III is FerroChrome.

"dolph"

[whoaru99]

I used to use a lot of BASF chrome tape, but I don't know if you can get them anymore.

[jhaan92]

Not new, BASF got out of the audio/video industry long time ago. I liked their FeCr tapes. I still have a bunch of them, I just don't really use them anymore. I personally prefer my Maxell MX 90 metal tapes. They're really hard to find, but I still think that they are one of the best metal tapes made, next to the Fuji. The TDK metal tapes were okay, but I found them to sound a little flat after recording, like some of the energy was lost when it was put on the tape, whereas I never experienced that with the Maxell counterpart.

For the price, just get some TDK SA-C90 CrO2 tapes. I have scads of them, and they have all stood the test of time very well. I have a few TDK SA-X90 tapes, and all of the high freq. has dropped out on all of them. I don't know why, but I suspect that it was something in the tape formulation. Eh, who know, and who cares. All I can tell you is that for a CrO2 tape, I prefer the SA-C90 from TDK. I promise you, they won't let you down-and you can use them on you CT-F1000 (I have the 1250 model).


Best of Luck!

Jason

[pustelniakr]

I would not recommend that because tape heads in the pre-metal-tape era will be extremely quickly worn down playing back Metal tape formulations.

"dolph"
The CT-F1000 cassette deck uses uni-crystal ferrite heads. They are not susceptible to any additional headwear from metal tape. That is a common misconception. Now you need to decide which press to buy. It is your choice. I am a design engineer and have been working with these decks for 30+ years, and the CT-F1000 is one of my specialties.

Enjoy,
Rich P

[BrocLuno]

OK, mis-stated FeCr as "real chrome". Anyway, still don't know what the choices are for CT-F1000?

Now about the tape - I'm having real good results with these tapes. They are brand new stock and seem to be very well made. Pretty cheap too. Before I went to the trouble to transplant tape, I'd try a few formulations to see what works well on that deck? Almost all deck will have a favorite tape that really sounds best on that machine.

http://www.batteriesandbutter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AKAIGX-90&Category_Code=audio

[pioneervato]

I believe you can play the metal tapes on your CT-F1000, you just can't record on to the metal tapes. But certainly don't swap the tape out. You can still find the Maxell XLII tapes and TDK SA tapes.

[Erich]

The switch settings on the CT-F1000 allow for Standard, FeCr and CrO2.

Agreed.... I should try a few different brands of tape and see which I like best (assuming my less than perfect hearing will allow me to differentiate!)

Thanks for the link.


OK, mis-stated FeCr as "real chrome". Anyway, still don't know what the choices are for CT-F1000?

Now about the tape - I'm having real good results with these tapes. They are brand new stock and seem to be very well made. Pretty cheap too. Before I went to the trouble to transplant tape, I'd try a few formulations to see what works well on that deck? Almost all deck will have a favorite tape that really sounds best on that machine.

http://www.batteriesandbutter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AKAIGX-90&Category_Code=audio

[SaSi]

Since the metal tapes won't harm the CTF-1000 during playback, and since these particular tapes are worth 5:1 compared to SA tapes (at least), I would buy a metal capable deck that would be good for backup, use it to record on these tapes and then store it, using the Pioneer for playback of these.

[nakmandan]

At the insane prices those metal shell TDK's are going for these days (even used), you could probably sell all 20 of those tapes, and with the money from that sale, buy another CT-F1000, another good metal capable deck and a couple boxes of Maxell XL-II's!

But to answer your original question, there is still NOS around of some quality tapes, but AFAIK, Maxell XL-II and TDK SA is the best Type II tape still being manaufactured today. Everything else that is better is whatever's left that you can find. For just the 20 shells you want to reload, try to find something really good like the aforementioned TDK HX-S or SA-X.

My personal favorite non-metal tape for recording is Denon HD-8. I've had spectacular results with it on several different machines.

[Erich]

Thanks. Good info. I get the impression my metal shell TDK's are worth something :-) I guess that should have occured to me when I read the reaction to my plans, by some people. Now I'm not sure I even want to know how much they're worth!

Just so people know how much I want to use and how much I like THIS deck.... I spent $150 plus postage for silly rack mount handles (to install in my Pioneer rack). Yes, I know... I should be put away somewhere with nice soft walls....


At the insane prices those metal shell TDK's are going for these days (even used), you could probably sell all 20 of those tapes, and with the money from that sale, buy another CT-F1000, another good metal capable deck and a couple boxes of Maxell XL-II's!

But to answer your original question, there is still NOS around of some quality tapes, but AFAIK, Maxell XL-II and TDK SA is the best Type II tape still being manaufactured today. Everything else that is better is whatever's left that you can find. For just the 20 shells you want to reload, try to find something really good like the aforementioned TDK HX-S or SA-X.

My personal favorite non-metal tape for recording is Denon HD-8. I've had spectacular results with it on several different machines.

[Cantabury Guy]

Thanks. Good info. I get the impression my metal shell TDK's are worth something :-) I guess that should have occured to me when I read the reaction to my plans, by some people. Now I'm not sure I even want to know how much they're worth!

Just so people know how much I want to use and how much I like THIS deck.... I spent $150 plus postage for silly rack mount handles (to install in my Pioneer rack). Yes, I know... I should be put away somewhere with nice soft walls....

No my friend, I think you are in the right place(here).

[betterthan]

I almost bought a set of rack mount handles for a CT-F1000 and I don't even own one! (yet)

You aren't that insane.

[nakmandan]

Thanks. Good info. I get the impression my metal shell TDK's are worth something :-) I guess that should have occured to me when I read the reaction to my plans, by some people. Now I'm not sure I even want to know how much they're worth!

Just so people know how much I want to use and how much I like THIS deck.... I spent $150 plus postage for silly rack mount handles (to install in my Pioneer rack). Yes, I know... I should be put away somewhere with nice soft walls....

Honestly, they are worth whatever someone is willing to pay for them. I have seen some tapes like these (Sony Metal Master, TDK MA-R, etc) go for over $50/ea in new condition! Do a search on the Bay for them and see what comes up.

Yes, they're awesome tapes. Are they worth $50/ea? No way in hell in my book! But to each his own.

[blownsi]

Those tapes are worth a small fortune... sell em and spin what you like on the deck you like...

[Erich]

That's frightening..... I almost bought a pair of Sansui rack mount handles just in case I get some Sansui gear they will fit :-)

I think it's in the best interest of us insane people to keep reminding each other that we are not THAT insane (whether it's true or not) ;-)


I almost bought a set of rack mount handles for a CT-F1000 and I don't even own one! (yet)

You aren't that insane.

[koseltri]

TDK HX-S tapes are a metal formulation that operate in a Type II (CR02) configuration. Just about the very best CRO2 tape ever made.

Glad you mentioned that, Rich. I got a few of them in a tape collection I bought, and was not familiar with the designation. An equivalent to Denon HD-8, or my Triad EM-X's. FYI, a lot of 9 unopened MA-R's went for $510 awhile back.:eek: