United Home Audio Phase 11S deck has been ordered

No, I abandoned the studer/Doshi project in favor of the UHA.

Acknowledged. I'd read you favored the UHA deck for practical reasons and believe the sound to be comparable to the Studer.
Outboard repro electronics for my Studer A820's may be an option. Steve's A810 with outboard Doshi tape head preamp sounded very good in his system and room.
 
If you don't hear a refurbished A80 with the Doshi preamp next to the UHA deck, you really won't know how they compare.
 
If you don't hear a refurbished A80 with the Doshi preamp next to the UHA deck, you really won't know how they compare.

Qualitative characterization of sonics would be facilitated if the decks were side-by-side.
 
Qualitative characterization of sonics would be facilitated if the decks were side-by-side.

That's my point. I have heard both setups at shows with the same tapes, but never in the same room over the same system. I think people here realize that Greg is bringing a unique solution to the table for those that can afford the freight and want to get into tape. The number of decks available on the market that are new and have a warranty are pretty slim. This is very reassuring to owners who want a product that has someone standing behind it and ready to take care of it should it need servicing.

Looking at both decks, it's obvious to me that they were not built to the same standards nor for the same purposes. The Studer A80 was designed to be a professional workhorse in a recording studio expected to perform 24/7 making recordings. It's built like a tank to Swiss mechanical standards. Looking at the tape path of the Studer A80 is the equivalent of audio porn. It's also obvious that if you buy an A80, you will have to invest some money in order to bring it back into specification. And because it is a warhorse, it is going to take up a sizable chunk of real estate in your listening room.
 
That's my point. I have heard both setups at shows with the same tapes, but never in the same room over the same system. I think people here realize that Greg is bringing a unique solution to the table for those that can afford the freight and want to get into tape. The number of decks available on the market that are new and have a warranty are pretty slim. This is very reassuring to owners who want a product that has someone standing behind it and ready to take care of it should it need servicing.

Looking at both decks, it's obvious to me that they were not built to the same standards nor for the same purposes. The Studer A80 was designed to be a professional workhorse in a recording studio expected to perform 24/7 making recordings. It's built like a tank to Swiss mechanical standards. Looking at the tape path of the Studer A80 is the equivalent of audio porn. It's also obvious that if you buy an A80, you will have to invest some money in order to bring it back into specification. And because it is a warhorse, it is going to take up a sizable chunk of real estate in your listening room.

very relevant conclusion imo
that security/supoort is part of what you pay for
hardly aimed at the DIY community
best
Leif
 
very nice Mark, counting the days 'till the KOs arrive?

Yes, I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival, but I don't have a shipping date so I have nothing to countdown to. At this point, I'm hoping they arrive sometime in May, but I really don't know. All I can say at this point is that there will be something different with my pair of KOs.
 
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Looking at both decks, it's obvious to me that they were not built to the same standards nor for the same purposes. The Studer A80 was designed to be a professional workhorse in a recording studio expected to perform 24/7 making recordings. It's built like a tank to Swiss mechanical standards. Looking at the tape path of the Studer A80 is the equivalent of audio porn. It's also obvious that if you buy an A80, you will have to invest some money in order to bring it back into specification. And because it is a warhorse, it is going to take up a sizable chunk of real estate in your listening room.

Studers are 40 years old (original caps, bearings, ect will need to be replaced. The Tascam BR20 (which is the foundation of the UHA) was made until 2004. Tascam still has parts. The point is, this deck is warrantied for two years and will require no part replacement for years. Sure the Studer is built like a tank. I'm not worried about the Tascam as I will be listening to tapes in all their glory at home...hardly a production environment. The transport on my deck will be babied. In other words I won't be spooling at all on that deck. I will press play and listen till the end. I do all my spooling onto take up reels using two studer A810's. They make great rewinders....
 
Christian-You are a tailor-made customer for Greg. He has exactly the product you are looking for and you are going to have peace of mind with your purchase. You also won't be taking on a project like you would with a Studer A80. All you have to is take it out of the box and hook up your cables-truly plug and play. And if you like the Pakistan jingle truck look paint job, you are in hog heaven!
 
Christian-You are a tailor-made customer for Greg. He has exactly the product you are looking for and you are going to have peace of mind with your purchase. You also won't be taking on a project like you would with a Studer A80. All you have to is take it out of the box and hook up your cables-truly plug and play. And if you like the Pakistan jingle truck look paint job, you are in hog heaven!

I went for silver...no jingle truck paint job as you say
 
Christian,

Congrats on your new purchase. I have heard the UHA deck on a few occasions, it's a very nice sounding deck.
Their is always something to be said for plug, play, & warranty.

Gary
 
I went for silver...no jingle truck paint job as you say

Hey, watch out... I like the Red Baron! Had a Silver here last, it was drop dead gorgeous. Terry likes the black.
 
Hey, watch out... I like the Red Baron! Had a Silver here last, it was drop dead gorgeous. Terry likes the black.

The red looks cool to me too. I think Mark was referring to the multi color psychedelic paint job reminiscent of a Grateful Dead concert. If my componentry was black, I would of gone for that color.
 
The red looks cool to me too. I think Mark was referring to the multi color psychedelic paint job reminiscent of a Grateful Dead concert. If my componentry was black, I would of gone for that color.

You'll definitely have to take some photos when the baby arrives! Will you be handing out cigars??
 
Let me know when you can do a play date.
 
Congrats Christian, I am sure you are going to thoroughly enjoy this medium and RTR performance even more. Look forward to some photo's of the gear, its always makes one drool.
Best,
Neville
 
I really like the black version but I was super hot on the all white. In the end I bought the silver because I didn't think I would be able to watch TV with a white deck in the room. It would be so attention getting.
 

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