I only use new tapes. These are the 3 tapes I use.
RMGI/PYRAL LPR-35 (1mil tape)
RMGI/PYRAL SM-911
ATR MDS-35 (1 mil tape)
I have one sample of the MDS-35, but I really like it, frequencies record very well on that tape from my Crown CX-822.
For those curious, there are 1/2 track and 1/4 track. All 1/4" tape. So 1/2 track means that 2 channel stereo is all on the tape, then entire 1/4". So approx 1/8" for left channel, approx 1/8" for right channel. This is what is used for master recordings. The majority of consumer units were 1/4 track. So each stereo channel, right is approx 1/16" and left is approx 1/16", so stereo takes up half the tape. That is why you can turn the tape over and record on the other side. Just like cassette. Since the magnetic flux density is not as high as 1/2 track, 1/2 track is always used for the highest fidelity master tapes. Sometime people also call 1/2 track, 2 track and 1/4 track 4 track. In fact the commercial tapes produced back in the day actually had a 4 on them for 4 track.
So before you buy consider the following:
1. 1/2 track or 1/4 track?
2. Tape speed options? I like 7.5 IPS and 15 IPS 1/2 track.
3. Get a deck that is actually servicable. Some Japanese decks noone will service, there are no parts available. Typically Studer, Revox, Crown are servicable, there are others as well.
4. I use my deck for recording my album's and playing them back for longer play while not critically listening. Since I get 1 hour 36 minutes from 1 mil tape.
5. I wanted the best sounding deck, I can A/B the album and tape during recording since my deck has read after record and I am hard pressed to tell which one is which. Hence 1/2 track 7.5 IPS.
6. Tape heads.net is a great resource.
RMGI/PYRAL LPR-35 (1mil tape)
RMGI/PYRAL SM-911
ATR MDS-35 (1 mil tape)
I have one sample of the MDS-35, but I really like it, frequencies record very well on that tape from my Crown CX-822.
For those curious, there are 1/2 track and 1/4 track. All 1/4" tape. So 1/2 track means that 2 channel stereo is all on the tape, then entire 1/4". So approx 1/8" for left channel, approx 1/8" for right channel. This is what is used for master recordings. The majority of consumer units were 1/4 track. So each stereo channel, right is approx 1/16" and left is approx 1/16", so stereo takes up half the tape. That is why you can turn the tape over and record on the other side. Just like cassette. Since the magnetic flux density is not as high as 1/2 track, 1/2 track is always used for the highest fidelity master tapes. Sometime people also call 1/2 track, 2 track and 1/4 track 4 track. In fact the commercial tapes produced back in the day actually had a 4 on them for 4 track.
So before you buy consider the following:
1. 1/2 track or 1/4 track?
2. Tape speed options? I like 7.5 IPS and 15 IPS 1/2 track.
3. Get a deck that is actually servicable. Some Japanese decks noone will service, there are no parts available. Typically Studer, Revox, Crown are servicable, there are others as well.
4. I use my deck for recording my album's and playing them back for longer play while not critically listening. Since I get 1 hour 36 minutes from 1 mil tape.
5. I wanted the best sounding deck, I can A/B the album and tape during recording since my deck has read after record and I am hard pressed to tell which one is which. Hence 1/2 track 7.5 IPS.
6. Tape heads.net is a great resource.