Category: Tape machines / decks

Inside Sonorus Audio’s new ATR10 MkII deck and a free reel deal from RX Reels

December 4, 2023

If you’re based in North America and in the market for a tape deck, you might want to check out RX Reels’ website. The company, run by Kevin Root and based in the Pacific North-West, specialises in crafting premium quality carbon fibre tape reels. In addition, they’ve also now branched out into retailing a number … More Inside Sonorus Audio’s new ATR10 MkII deck and a free reel deal from RX Reels

In the market for a mint condition ReVox deck? How about a B77 (MkI or MkII) refurbed by ReVox themselves

November 22, 2023

The ReVox B77 was a real classic in the world of tape decks, and was also relatively recent compared to some tape vintages. The MkI version was manufactured between 1977-80 and the MkII between 1980-1998. You can still pick them up on eBay at a variety of prices – and in a variety of conditions, … More In the market for a mint condition ReVox deck? How about a B77 (MkI or MkII) refurbed by ReVox themselves

The Absolute Sound’s annual Buyers’ Guide’s pick of the tape decks

October 31, 2023

Each November, US audiophile magazine The Absolute Sound showcases a selection of the world’s best hi-fi components in its annual Buyer’s Guide. In the just-published 2024 edition, five tape decks feature among the magazine’s top picks. The list pretty much mirrors the selections in The Absolute Sound Editors’ Choice Awards 2023, with the odd tweak … More The Absolute Sound’s annual Buyers’ Guide’s pick of the tape decks

“First rate”: United Home Audio’s Ultima 5-OPS-DC tape deck bags a Golden Ear Award from The Absolute Sound

September 25, 2023

Last year it was the Metaxas Tourbillon TR-X tape deck and now it’s the turn of United Home Audio’s (UHA) Ultima 5-OPS-DC to be awarded a Golden Ear by US audio magazine The Absolute Sound. Then again, UHA are no strangers to awards. Greg Beron’s SuperDeck 2 picked up The Absolute Sound’s Editor’s Choice Award … More “First rate”: United Home Audio’s Ultima 5-OPS-DC tape deck bags a Golden Ear Award from The Absolute Sound

Analog Audio Design TP-1000 tape deck now available in USA – with free RX Reels carbon fibre reel

August 23, 2023

French company Analog Audio Design launched its TP-1000 tape deck back in late 2021. Now, the deck is available in the USA via distributor Pro Audio Ltd, under the guidance of Brian Tucker (formerly of Studer and ReVox). Pro Audio is also partnering with US-based RX Reels to offer customers a ‘TP-1000 RX Bundle’ – … More Analog Audio Design TP-1000 tape deck now available in USA – with free RX Reels carbon fibre reel

Metaxas R2R decks now available in USA & Canada thanks to new Florida-based US distribution

May 16, 2023

Just spotted online via various high-end audio media and sharing here in case you missed it… Florida-based Reel Sound Distribution Inc. has issued a press release announcing that is now the exclusive North American distributor of hi-fi brand Metaxas & Sins, following a partnership agreement with designer Kostas Metaxas. Which means that Metaxas’ duo of reel-to-reel … More Metaxas R2R decks now available in USA & Canada thanks to new Florida-based US distribution

5 tape decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2023

April 11, 2023

US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s annual Editors’ Choice Awards flag up a selection of the world’s best-sounding kit, and it’s great to see a category for tape decks again this year. In fact, the magazine has been a clear supporter of the revival of tape, with some pretty good coverage of decks etc. Last … More 5 tape decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2023

Metaxas Tourbillon T-RX tape deck wins a Product of the Year Award 2022 from The Absolute Sound

March 28, 2023

Rewind just a few short years and who knew there’d be a category in US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s Product of the Year Awards for ‘Open Reel Tape Machine of the Year’. Seems like tape is well and truly back on the map! Okay, so there isn’t exactly a huge pool of contenders, but … More Metaxas Tourbillon T-RX tape deck wins a Product of the Year Award 2022 from The Absolute Sound

New from Ballfinger in 2023: M-051-MR Master Recorder, M-063-H6 deck & an upgraded M-002-P

February 8, 2023

Christmas may be well behind us now, but if a brand new tape deck is on your wish list, then Ballfinger is set to bring you tidings of  comfort and joy in the coming year… The German brand, one of just a handful of companies manufacturing modern tape decks, is set to release a brand … More New from Ballfinger in 2023: M-051-MR Master Recorder, M-063-H6 deck & an upgraded M-002-P

Metaxas & Sins Tourbillon T-RX reel-to-reel tape deck gets a Golden Ear Award from The Absolute Sound

November 21, 2022

“Alongside the UHA SuperDeck, the Metaxas Tourbillon T-RX is the highest fidelity audio component I’ve auditioned,” says US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s Jonathan Valin. Considering Valin auditions the greatest hi-fi kit from around the world for a living, that’s high praise for sure! Each year, The Absolute Sound’s reviewers are asked to select those components … More Metaxas & Sins Tourbillon T-RX reel-to-reel tape deck gets a Golden Ear Award from The Absolute Sound