R2R engineers

There’s no question about it: a tape deck is a far more complex device than a turntable or a DAC. If not properly repaired and restored (in the case of a vintage machine), set up, aligned, serviced and maintained, not only will your machine fail to deliver the superior sound quality you crave, it could also risk damaging your precious tapes. So it’s a good idea to do some research into basic care and maintenance. It’s an even better idea to find yourself a good tape engineer right from the outset…

Finding the right tech support

A tape recorder has two distinct elements: mechanical and electronic, requiring two very different areas of expertise. On top of that, vintage machines have been manufactured at different times and in different parts of the world and they vary quite widely in their design and engineering. It’s important, then, that whoever services your particular model knows what they’re doing. You need a specialist tape engineer.

Unfortunately such people can be somewhat thin on the ground. Before the 1980s the worldwide recording industry’s vast bank of tape recorders was kept in good service by a global network of highly trained and skilled people. But then as studios moved towards all things digital, the demand for tape engineers fell away and supply naturally dwindled. There’s a growing number of accomplished tape specialists out there, but they can be tricky to find and may not be that local to you. A good place to start is your local high-end hi-fi dealer who should be able to point you in the right direction. I also posted a few tips in this blog:

Tape deck servicing & refurbs: what makes a good engineer and how to find one

I’ve listed a handful of good tape engineers here, in the UK and USA. The list is deliberately small to begin with since it only includes those with which I’ve had direct and positive personal experience, or those recommended by someone I know and trust.

If you come across other specialist tape engineers you’d like to suggest, whether in the UK or internationally, do drop us a line and we’ll look into them. I’d be particularly interested in adding some listings outside the UK and USA.

In the UK

The Audiophile’s Clinic (Kent)

Chalfont Acoustics – official UK Tascam & TEAC support (Buckinghamshire)

Reel Resilience (Derby)

  • Contact: Iain Betson
  • Tel 01332 501 090
    info@reelresilience.co.uk or reelresilience@gmail.com
    www.reelresilience.co.uk
  • Provides support for the following (NON valve-based) machines:
    • Revox – including cassette decks
    • Studer – including cassette decks and half, 1″ and 2″ machines
    • Otari – including 2″ machines
    • TEAC
    • Tascam – including 122 series cassette decks and half and 1″ machines
    • Sony – higher end machines only – e.g. TC-765 and their Elcaset range

Thear Technology Limited (Bedfordshire)

In the USA

My thanks to my friend Jefferson Douglas (of YouTube Tubelandia fame) for these recommendations.

Analogue Rules (Northwest – Bay Area)

ATR Service (Northeast – Pennsylvania)
JRF Magnetics (Northeast – New Jersey)

Myriad Magnetic (Northeast – Philadelphia)

Reel to Reel Tech (Northwest Pacific)

Bob “Midnight” Shuster (Northeast – NYC)
Tom Amp Services (Southeast – Florida)

In Canada

Roger Ginsley (Toronto)  
texelectronics@gmail.com

  • Covers only Studer & Revox decks and has many parts for both (was Studer’s Canada rep for 30+ years)
  • Can service decks sent from anywhere
  • Recommended by Ed Pong of UltraAnalogue Recordings