This is to document the Ampex 351 deck and electronics I purchased to rebuild. Original condition was poor and 7 months later, Analog Domain has restored this machine to excellent working condition and improved cosmetics a great deal.
Chico, actually there have been several Ampex and Nagra machines used as a source at CES and AudioFest over the last few years. One night late with Steve Hoffman after the rooms were closed is what got me started on this project.
The system was Eben two way that use a ribbon plus woofers. The electronics were good quality tube gear that I've forgotten the name of and the source was a high end CD player. I had visited the room to do photography earlier in the day and sound was about what you would expect. Not bad but no big deal.
Anyway, that evening Steve hauled out the open reel and played the Coasters, Miles Davis, The Everly Brothers and Elvis. I was absolutely stunned at the sound off these flat dupe masters. I stayed and listened until I was too tired to stay awake. Others in the room were equally amazed, and that was the moment I knew I was going to own open reel as one of my sources.
As for my personal machine, I wish the guy that rebuilt the Ampex was a bit more tidy. He should have paid more attention to cleaning up the interior and circuits, not to mention overall cosmetics. He says it sounds fabulous but compared to the Aesthetix or my new custom built tube crossover the thing looks like it belongs in the junk pile :^).
It will be running in the system this coming Tuesday night for the gang to vote on, guess we will see if it works properly and how it sounds.
Very cool! I've heard stories about the "old days" when manufacturers showed at CES with reel to reel master tapes. Arnie Nudell and Infinity in particular were very keen on this as Arnie had a huge collection of masters. Good luck with this project, it looks like a bunch of fun. Nate
albertporter on All Out Assault