My Spitz machine is either the first or second one he did after
starting his own company. It is rock solid and sounds great. No
experience with the Sony.

On 1 Jul 2003 10:31:01 -0700, (OZ) wrote:

Hi,

I am trying to decide if I want to trade up my Sony APR-5003 for a
Mike Spitz Ampex ATR-102 1/2" and was hoping that someone have or had
first hand experience with both machines. What were the major or minor
difference? No speculation please, experience only!

Thanks,

Ozzie

In article writes:

I am trying to decide if I want to trade up my Sony APR-5003 for a
Mike Spitz Ampex ATR-102 1/2" and was hoping that someone have or had
first hand experience with both machines. What were the major or minor
difference?

The sound. There's no comparison. If you have that kind of money, there's
not a nicer guy than Mike Spitz to spend it with. However, don't spend
all your money on the machine. Are you a good maintenance technician?
Otherwise, you'll need one. The ATR isn't by any means a dog, but when
something does go wrong with it, they're a bitch to troubleshoot and
some parts may be difficult to find.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )

In article znr1057097303k@trad, Mike Rivers wrote:
In article writes:

I am trying to decide if I want to trade up my Sony APR-5003 for a
Mike Spitz Ampex ATR-102 1/2" and was hoping that someone have or had
first hand experience with both machines. What were the major or minor
difference?

The sound. There's no comparison. If you have that kind of money, there's
not a nicer guy than Mike Spitz to spend it with. However, don't spend
all your money on the machine. Are you a good maintenance technician?
Otherwise, you'll need one. The ATR isn't by any means a dog, but when
something does go wrong with it, they're a bitch to troubleshoot and
some parts may be difficult to find.

I have a 102, and it's the best and most stable transport I have ever
used. The electronics are good, but I think they could be better and in
some ways I think I even like the old 440 electronics better for recording
though not playback.

The Spitz replacement I/O units are worth every penny.

The 102 is the no fun to work on, and diagnosis is really a pain. Get
a spare audio card, a spare audio control card, and spares for all three
transport cards. Also have 2N3055s in the parts bin.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

As others have mentioned, the big plus for the ATR-102 is
sound...especially w/ Spitz electronics, but even a stock Ampex is one of
the finest sounding 2-tracks I've ever used.

The big plus for the APR-5xxx is editing; if you cut a lot of tape those
Sonys are a joy to work on.

/Bob Ross


OZ wrote:

Hi,

I am trying to decide if I want to trade up my Sony APR-5003 for a
Mike Spitz Ampex ATR-102 1/2" and was hoping that someone have or had
first hand experience with both machines. What were the major or minor
difference? No speculation please, experience only!

Thanks,

Ozzie

Bob Ross wrote:
As others have mentioned, the big plus for the ATR-102 is
sound...especially w/ Spitz electronics, but even a stock Ampex is one of
the finest sounding 2-tracks I've ever used.

The big plus for the APR-5xxx is editing; if you cut a lot of tape those
Sonys are a joy to work on.

So, get an ATR-102 for recording, then a mono Nagra III for editing. Not
only is it a really convenient editing deck, but you can take it on the
airline and cut tape during your flight.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Somehow I can't imagine pulling out a razor blade mid-flight these days...

in article , Scott Dorsey at
wrote on 03.7.4 8:33 AM:
So, get an ATR-102 for recording, then a mono Nagra III for editing. Not
only is it a really convenient editing deck, but you can take it on the
airline and cut tape during your flight.
--scott

In article , Bob Ross
wrote:

As others have mentioned, the big plus for the ATR-102 is
sound...especially w/ Spitz electronics, but even a stock Ampex is one of
the finest sounding 2-tracks I've ever used.


Alactronics mods 102's as well. I know part of what Bob does is update
the electronics that control spinning the reels, as I have heard the
stock machine can occasionally go a little wild.

Anyone out there know enough to compare what Bob Alach does to one of
these compared to Spitz?

Also, how much of a dif is there sonically between the 1/4" and 1/2"?



David Correia
Celebration Sound
Warren, Rhode Island


www.CelebrationSound.com

In article writes:

So, get an ATR-102 for recording, then a mono Nagra III for editing. Not
only is it a really convenient editing deck, but you can take it on the
airline and cut tape during your flight.

I doubt it. You probably can't carry a razor blade on board any more.
Maybe you could cut tape with nail clippers? They're on the OK list
now.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )

david wrote:

Alactronics mods 102's as well. I know part of what Bob does is update
the electronics that control spinning the reels, as I have heard the
stock machine can occasionally go a little wild.

The transport controls are actually pretty stable, although you can get
them into weird modes if they are out of alignment. And they do take a
lot of alignment.

Anyone out there know enough to compare what Bob Alach does to one of
these compared to Spitz?

Spitz basically replaces the I/O modules with higher grade ones, if you
want. Since you don't have to use the I/O modules at all, this may or
may not be significant. Otherwise he mostly keeps the machines stock but
he does excellent refurbishment work. Dunno with Alach does.

Also, how much of a dif is there sonically between the 1/4" and 1/2"?

It's considerable. I like 1/4" better most of the time. But 1/2" is
currently very fashionable.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."