As reel-to-reel tape continues to capture the attention of audiophiles and music lovers around the world, a number of companies have mooted the idea of re-instating production of tape players to meet the needs of this re-emerging market.
To date, however, no new machine has actually materialised and so those of us who crave the sweet sound of tape are still skulking around the internet in search of vintage models in various states of disrepair, and then doing deals with specialist engineers to get our old relics restored to something of their former glory. But all that could be about to change – fortunately, since there are only so many salvage-able vintage machines left to go around!
In early February the rambler got wind that a brand new tape machine was about to be previewed at a hi-fi show in Hamburg, Germany (Norddeutsche HiFi-Tage: Hörtest 2017). So I did what any reasonably obsessive audiophile would do: hopped on a plane and went to investigate.
Check out my report over at Mono & Stereo: David Denyer checks out the new Ballfinger M-063 reel-to-reel tape player at the Hamburg Hi-Fi Show 2017
Dave Denyer: The Reel-to-Reel Rambler 