ampex 440-8 /MCI JH16-8

[gevermil]

I have the option to get either one
any one with MCI experience ?
I already have a 440C

 

[nacho459]

They are basically the same thing. I hear Jeep Harned liked the Ampex machines and used a lot of their circuits in the JH16. I think all the cards and a large part of the electronics are the same.

 

[NewYorkDave]

I would check availability of parts. That should be a BIG factor in your decision, in my humble opinion.

 

[gevermil]

yeah , I know MCI and Scully both took the ampex approach
I was just curios about transport issues because the 440 8 motors were originally designed for 1/2 " tape . any one with 1" 8 track experience will be my new buddy- I will fed ex various liquors . :sam:

 

[NewYorkDave]

Is the Ampex List still around? Go there and you'll probably learn all there is to know about 440 variants.

Here's the webpage, I don't know if the list is still up and running. I'm no longer subscribed.

http://recordist.com/ampex/index.html

 

[fazeka]

It's up NYD as I still subscribe to that list having a pair of AG-350s. Although I should say it would be in your best interest to go through the archives and look there first as there is a TON of info on 440s and I remember quite a bit of talk on the 440-8 in particular.

 

[gevermil]

Im reading the ampex forums all the time , I guess Im just looking for all the opinions I can get . The 440-8 has some transport / punch in issues , but Im a home recordist . I m looking for quality . Ive been in love with reel to reels for ever . Yes Id love to have a 16 mm1200 butt it aint gonna happen . big format tape :roll:

 

[Underthebigtree]

I think you will have a much easier time getting 1/2" or 2" tape than 1" in the future - probably the least common tape size.

 

[Butterylicious]

I vote Ampex, but then again that's like voting straight ticket for me. Daddy will you buy this for me....

 

[pstamler]

We had a JH16 at the Webster College recording studio that had very unstable bias levels. The bias would drift all over the place; let it record for five minutes and the bias would be several dB different from when you started. We finally cleaned it up, sort of, by brute-force replacing the transistors in the bias card with TO220s and hefty heatsinks.

Not long after, we bought a 440-8, and its bias was rock-solid. Lower flutter, too, although that may have been the individual JH16's fault. That 440-8 was a joy to use and to work on. One weird thing, thoough: it was a 440C, and the repro head resonance control couldn't go low enough, which made it impossible to get truly flat response out of the thing. There was always a slight dip in the midrange. Still beat the pants off the MCI. Your mileage, of course, may vary.

Peace,
Paul

 

[gar381]

440 all the way. Lots of 440 stuff on evilbay at all times so parts are no
problem for now. You CAN'T beat the 440/mm1000 sound for bass and drums at ANY price!!! Wish I still had mine. Best of luck.

GARY

 

[guitarmaker]

I have a 440C-8 and I love it. Super easy to work on and adjust. As was said before they're nice and stable. As for the 1" tape being the odd size, I'm wondering with more people using a hybrid of tape and digital if more people won't want to use this size. If I were recording just bass and drums to tape for example I probably wouldn't need 24 tracks of considerably more expensive 2" tape.

Steve

 

[hitchhiker]

When I bought my 1" 8 trk from a top tech that maintained a number of
MCI decks, he warned me off the JH16 decks. transport and other headaches.....I'd go for the Ampex.

Lance

 

[fazeka]

My vote? Look at my avatar! :green:

 

[gar381]

ME TOO FAZEKA!!!!!

 

[gevermil]

thanks for the replies , seems ampex is in favor .

 

[gevermil]

thanks for the replies , seems ampex is in favor .