Category: R2R decks

Interview: Greg Beron of ‘hybrid’ R2R deck maker United Home Audio

February 26, 2020

United Home Audio (UHA) is an American high-end audio retailer based in Northern Virginia near Washington, DC. The company, which is headed by Greg Beron, also has another interesting bow to its string: for the past twelve years UHA has been ‘re-manufacturing’ reel-to-reel tape decks. Greg takes vintage Tascam decks as his starting point and … More Interview: Greg Beron of ‘hybrid’ R2R deck maker United Home Audio

Coming soon from Ballfinger: the new £10k M 002 P tape deck

January 31, 2020

The company that brought you the millenium’s first completely modern tape decks, the M 063 (in four editions), is now working on a new model, the forthcoming M 002 P. Scheduled for release in summer 2020, the M 002 P is a playback-only machine and is priced at around the £10k mark. It doesn’t include … More Coming soon from Ballfinger: the new £10k M 002 P tape deck

Hi-Fi Show Live 2019: “a pivotal moment for tape”!

November 1, 2019

Well, we did it… this Hallowe’en weekend, The Reel-to-Reel Rambler went from being an online webzine to a collaborative live event at Hi-Fi Show Live 2019 – and what a show it was! If there was any doubt about the growing interest in reel-to-reel, then this weekend must surely have put it to rest. The … More Hi-Fi Show Live 2019: “a pivotal moment for tape”!

R2R live! The Rambler will be at the UK’s Hi-Fi Show Live this October – with tape decks both vintage and brand new, tape labels, tape manufacturers, tech tape advice and more (oh and Ken Kessler!)

August 26, 2019

The Rambler has some very exciting news to announce…. this October we’re celebrating all things reel-to-reel at the UK’s biggest high-end hi-fi show and we’d love you to come along and join us! The show: Hi-Fi Show Live, Ascot, UK, 26th-27th October 2019 Hi-Fi Show Live, now in its 7thyear, is run by AVTech Media, … More R2R live! The Rambler will be at the UK’s Hi-Fi Show Live this October – with tape decks both vintage and brand new, tape labels, tape manufacturers, tech tape advice and more (oh and Ken Kessler!)

The High-End Show 2019: the rambler reports on some exciting reel-to-reel happenings in Munich

May 16, 2019

The Munich High-End Show always seems to go from strength to strength and for me 2019 was the best year yet – not least because of a number of enticing developments in the niche-but-growing world of audiophile tape. I had a brilliant few days catching up with a range of tape movers and shakers. Here’s … More The High-End Show 2019: the rambler reports on some exciting reel-to-reel happenings in Munich

Another brand new, modern R2R deck is on its way… check out a preview of the Thorens TM 1600 at the Munich High-End Show 2019!

May 8, 2019

The renowned Swiss analogue hi-fi brand Thorens, known for its excellent turntables, has recently announced that it is working with none other than Ballfinger to launch a brand new reel-to-reel player, designed for home use. The machine is due for launch in summer 2020 with a limited production of 100 units. Its estimated price will … More Another brand new, modern R2R deck is on its way… check out a preview of the Thorens TM 1600 at the Munich High-End Show 2019!

Metaxas & Sins GQT open reel tape recorder: update and new T-RX model

November 15, 2018

The 2018 Munich High End Show was indeed a ‘high’ for R2R lovers worldwide, with the announcement that production of the world’s first modern open reel tape decks was, at last, recommencing after a couple of decades’ haitus. Two companies were leading the vanguard: German design company Ballfinger and international hi-fi brand Metaxas & Sins. … More Metaxas & Sins GQT open reel tape recorder: update and new T-RX model

Six of the best: in which Ken Kessler atones for prior tape ‘sins’ by stocking up on vintage decks

November 1, 2018

About a month ago, we learnt that renowned hi-fi journalist Ken Kessler has harboured a life-long love of tape. Now, he comes clean about the full extent of his fondness for all things open reel. At this stage, it’s worth letting you know just how badly infected I am by the open-reel bug. Having just … More Six of the best: in which Ken Kessler atones for prior tape ‘sins’ by stocking up on vintage decks

‘Decked by tape’: for Ken Kessler, open reel tape has been with him all the way

September 21, 2018

As a hi-fi journalist of international standing, Ken Kessler has a breadth and depth of experience in all things audio. In fact, there’s not much in the world of hi-fi that he hasn’t seen or heard and, as his readers know and appreciate, he isn’t afraid to be candid in sharing his opinions about it … More ‘Decked by tape’: for Ken Kessler, open reel tape has been with him all the way

A lifelong reel obsession: Neville Roberts recalls the tape decks he’s known and loved over the years – and celebrates the R2R revival

August 15, 2018

Audio journalist and regular Hi-Fi Choice contributor, Neville Roberts, has been fascinated by open reel tape for most of his life. Here, he casts his mind back over the many and varied tape decks he’s shared his life with to date. If you’re in the market for a vintage machine, there’s some great pointers here. … More A lifelong reel obsession: Neville Roberts recalls the tape decks he’s known and loved over the years – and celebrates the R2R revival