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
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”!
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 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
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!
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
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
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
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
You’ve no doubt heard the rumours. You may have read a few teasers. Perhaps you wondered whether it would actually happen. It’s happening. In May 2018, high-end audio brand Metaxas & Sins will launch one of the world’s first modern day open reel tape recorders. If you’re familiar with the unique work of creator Kostas … More Metaxas & Sins will launch brand new open reel tape recorder at 2018 Munich High End Show
