Reel deck recommendations

[sgraham]

I have a good number of reel tapes on a variety of formats and speeds. It's no longer practical to have so many different reel decks around to play them all, so I'm trying to find a good-sounding deck that will be nice to my tapes that I can pick up without breaking the bank. It needs to play both 1/4-track and 2-track tapes, and run at 3.75, 7.5, and 15 IPS speeds.

I may be able to pick up a Studer A-807 for a good price; but the only way I can find to play both quarter-track and two-track is to have separate head blocks for each, which is too inconvenient. (Plus I'd have to find a cheap 1/4-track block, which may not be easy -- head prices for these things are horrible.)

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Mike V]

Hi Steve,

The Technics 1500 or 1506 would be my picks. They're built like crazy. No, they aren't a Studer, but nothing beats them for versatility. Either model plays back 1/2 or 1/4 track at 3 3/4, 7 1/2 or 15ips. The 1500 records 1/2 track, and the 1506 records 1/4 track. They sell for not too much $$ on eBay.

Replacement heads cost a fortune, so be sure they're in good shape!

Mike